BENEATH Interactive Digital Installation
During this unit, I worked with a group of four to create an interactive digital installation called “BENEATH.”
The main purpose of this project was to help people feel relaxed, support mental health, and encourage them to feel closer to nature. We chose the ocean as our theme because it provides a unique environment that feels different from everyday life and allows us to express the beauty and mystery of marine creatures. Another reason was my personal interest in ASMR. I often listen to the sounds of ocean waves and underwater environments because they help me relax, and this inspired the concept of our project.
The installation includes interactive elements. When visitors use hand gestures in front of the screen, the sea creatures and coral reefs respond. For example, the creatures change their swimming speed, slowly float around, or the coral reefs open and close. Through these interactions, we wanted visitors to feel a stronger connection with the underwater world.
My main responsibilities were creating the underwater environment by using UE5, developing the eye-blinking animation for the coral reef characters, supporting the Touch Designer part, and creating the final sound effects. Working on different tasks outside my main area of expertise gave me valuable experience and helped me develop a wider range of skills.
This was also my first experience creating an interactive installation using a 270-degree screen. Through this project, I learned not only technical skills but also how to design an immersive space and collaborate effectively with a team.
One of my personal goals was to improve on the weaknesses I noticed during the previous collaboration unit. I wanted to become more active in sharing ideas and taking initiative. As a result, I contributed more by suggesting ideas for the project and volunteering for different responsibilities.
Although I am proud of the final outcome, I believe there is still room for improvement. During this project, I learned both the basic and more advanced functions of TouchDesigner. However, I think the interaction between people and the underwater environment could be made even more engaging and meaningful.
Overall, this project gave me valuable experience in interactive media, teamwork, and the production process. I hope to apply what I have learned to my Final Major Project and create an even stronger interactive experience in the future.