“Metaverse-Inspired” World: VIZBOXR

About the Project

The Challenge: The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) wanted to enhance their winter concert experience by providing a visual media accompaniment to the symphony and to appeal to younger audiences.

The Solution: In year one of this three-year partnership, the talented students at the EMC produced two experimental films that were projected behind the orchestra to the songs “Huapango” and “Danzon” as performed in a joint concert with the VSO and the Vermont Youth Orchestra at the Flynn theater.

In year two, the students created engaging motion graphics that will be projection-mapped onto the back wall of the Flynn stage while the orchestra plays in front. Projection-mapping turns specific irregularly shaped objects (in this case, pipes, electrical conduit, bricks, and grates) into visual display surfaces for projection. This year’s music is the soundtrack to the 1960 movie, Psycho. The motion graphics alongside the music provide an immersive and entertaining experience for the audience.

“The Vermont Symphony Orchestra reached out to Champlain College because we knew their students had unique insights and excellent training in creating visual displays. Auditory and visual experiences go hand in hand, as we can see in everything from film to video games to immersive art installations. I wanted to see Emergent Media Center students interpret the music we play with the Vermont Youth Orchestra and augment our audience’s experience by creating something unique to watch. “
–Elise Brunelle, Executive Director, Vermont Symphony Orchestra

Technology Explored: Experimental film, motion graphics, abstract art, and projection mapping

Read More:

• Seven Days, “Champlain College Students Go Full ‘Psycho’ With the VSO”
• The View, “Emergent Media Center Students Light Up The VSO Stage With Projection Mapping”

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About the Project

The Challenge: Teaching students about computer diagnostics, technological components, and program installation can be both time consuming and expensive depending on the equipment needed. In order to continue engaging young students interested in technology, it is important to find a new manner to deliver this information.

Duane Dunston, Founder/CEO of ERLO, LLC, the company creating MxRPC, hired the Emergent Media Center to assist in the development of this prototype.

The Solution: MxRPC is an AR prototype for computer hardware education, intended to be used in the classroom as a way for teachers and students to collaborate.

The group focused on the concept of a mobile augmented reality program that guides users through lessons. The team created three lessons that target course material, such as how to install Random-Access Memory (RAM).

The MxRPC prototype incorporates easy-to-access materials such as cardboard for the base of the structure enabling the QR-esque codes to be read while still enabling the user to access the screen.

One of the largest benefits of this product is that students learning about computer repair and adjustments cannot break the items they are learning about, as they are not physically there but simply displayed on the screen through the AR technology. This type of model allows for continued practice in areas where students may be struggling while also giving teachers the ability to display a tutorial in a projected manner.

“The Emergent Media Center has been a valuable space, because the EMC has the resources which a start-up needs. The EMC has the personnel in place, computer resources, and people managing other people.” 
– Duane Dunston, Founder/CEO of ERLO, LLC

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About the Project

The Challenge: Smell is strongly connected to memory, emotion, and association. The significance of smell being incorporated into VR is backed by scientific data.

This prototype served as a proof of concept that by merging the olfactory sense with VR, developers can bring immersive storytelling to a new level.

The Solution: Eden is Virtual Reality (VR) narrative mystery experience delivered in a full-sensory environment in which players are delivered scents at various points in their exploration.

Eden was showcased at the Burlington Book Festival at the BCA Center, Burlington Innovation Week, and the South End Art Hop.

As this prototype developed, the partners joined forces to create OVR Technology.

Eden Trailer (0:45)
Behind the Scenes: Developers Video (5:39)
Full Walkthrough of the Eden Experience (16:30)

“The Eden project showcased how scent is a very powerful mechanic while in the experience. The reception was pretty amazing – news coverage and a line for people wanting to try out the VR experiences were constant.” 
– David Delorme, MFA in Emergent Media student

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