Statement of Intent

In this project, we looked to create a carnival experience that conveys conceptual life scenarios through techniques and application of form, material, action, and meaning. This scenario must specifically impact the form of the human body in the form of augmentation. This complemented with performative qualities will bring together a cohesive idea and concept meant to be conveyed.

Our concept takes place in a hypothetical dystopia. The world has continuously undergone war and natural disasters as we see humanity begin to decline. Society and economic structures are unstable. Amidst this, we see the introduction of a new VR (Virtual Reality) product: POV. This modified goggle-like structure blinds the user with images and experiences of what used to be or what can be — but never what is. With the implementation of a neuro-linked brain chip, the user’s reality is altered. To aid in this concept, a commercial pitch for the VR carnival experience is presented. Below is this fleshed-out concept statement.

A front view of the goggle product without butterfly attachments.

An augmented version of customization of the goggles.

Concept Statement:

Introducing a unique pair of glasses. This emulates cosmetic modifications preferred by the user. The given module contains attached butterfly wings and panoramic images of carnival etching the outside and inside. A demonstration video showcases one of the presenters experiencing the product while highlighting the various experiences participants can enjoy. As the video plays, the other presenters create manual 4D effects to “enhance” the experience. This is when the user is meant to see the facade of the “life-altering” technology. It is simply not all that it claims to be. This technology’s message is to address the fact that it may seem like a solution, but it’s only distracting people from the real world and the problems humanity is facing.

Demo Footage [External Link]

sources: cited at the bottom of this post

Following the demo, a video advertisement for this POV virtual reality headset is shown, introducing our brand and mission statement. The video showcases how a user can begin to escape reality with experiences and distractions from reality. The viewers begin to see the final deterioration of this product as the video soundtrack shifts to an eerie piece and glitched footage reveals the truth.

Commercial Footage [External Link]

sources: cited at the bottom of this post

This product and conceptual scenario looks to attack the idea of hiding from our problems in technology and encourages facing them instead. We must deal with the truth head-on — in real life.

Ideation

Research

As we began to find inspiration and use for the history of carnivals, we began to focus on forms of performative inspiration and sourcing in the deep-rooted history.

A Carnival Overview:

A carnival is a public festival that is held in the weeks leading up to Lent, typically in February or March. It is characterized by colorful costumes, parades, and a variety of games, rides, and food stalls. Carnivals are usually held in urban areas and often have a lively, upbeat atmosphere.

Carnivals are public festivals that are typically held in the weeks leading up to Lent, which is a period of fasting and religious observance in many Christian cultures. They are characterized by colorful costumes, parades, and a variety of games, rides, and food stalls. Carnivals are usually held in urban areas and often have a lively, upbeat atmosphere.

Carnivals typically have several different components, including:

Parades: Carnivals are often known for their elaborate parades, which feature colorful costumes, music, and floats.
Rides and games: Just like fairs, carnivals often have a variety of amusement park-style rides and games for people of all ages.
Food: Food is an important part of many carnivals, and visitors can find a wide variety of traditional and regional foods, including sweet and savory treats.
Music and dance: Carnivals often feature live music and dance performances, providing an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the local culture and traditions.
Costumes: Many carnivals are known for the elaborate costumes worn by participants and visitors. The costumes are often traditional and reflect the local culture and history.

Carnivals have a long history and are an important part of many cultures, providing a time for people to come together, celebrate, and have fun. They are often an important part of the cultural calendar, marking the end of winter and the start of spring. Carnivals are a source of pride for local communities and a time for visitors to experience the best of the local culture and traditions.

Collected Sourced Examples:

Rio Carnival: https://www.rio-carnival.net/
Venice Carnival: https://www.venice-carnival-italy.com/
Notting Hill Carnival (London): https://www.thecarnivalcompany.com/notting-hill-carnival/
Mardi Gras (New Orleans): https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: https://www.tntisland.com/carnival.html
Quebec Winter Carnival: https://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en/
Cologne Carnival (Germany): https://www.cologne.de/events/cologne-carnival
Binche Carnival (Belgium): https://www.belgium.be/en/events/binche-carnival
Nice Carnival (France): https://en.nicetourisme.com/nice-carnival
Carnevale di Viareggio (Italy): https://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/en/

Iteration and Production

Exercises:

As an exercise, my group and I were tasked with expediting the process as a whole. From a random dice generator, we were given the topic/examples of an ear augmentation, the game of ring toss, and a sense of being lost. Below are the results:

A general inspiration for the idea of our quick body augmentation.

The ears with the ring tossed upon the ears.

A side profile of what the ears look like attached.

A closer detail of the felt insert to give the ears texture.

With these ideas of a post-apocalyptic dystopia in mind, we begin to iterate amongst each other ways to convey this concept. By using concept maps and AI iterations through ChatGPT and Dall-E |2 we create a cohesive list of ideas we thought highlighted this effectively:

Dall-E & ChatGPT

Iteration(s):

“The Alien Encounter” In the future, space travel and extraterrestrial life are common knowledge. Your interactive body augmentation will take the form of an alien transformation booth, where visitors can receive a temporary alien-inspired headpiece and face paint. The booth will be decorated with a futuristic theme, complete with holographic projections and alien artifacts. Visitors can take photos with a green screen background, featuring themselves as an alien in space.

“The Virtual Reality Experience” In the future, virtual reality technology has advanced to a point where people can fully immerse themselves in any world. Your interactive body augmentation will take the form of a virtual reality booth, where visitors can receive a temporary headset and haptic suit. The booth will be decorated with a futuristic theme, complete with neon lights and digital displays, and visitors can choose from various virtual reality experiences, such as flying through a city or exploring a fantasy realm.

“The Fortune Teller’s Curse” In the past, fortune-telling and mysticism were popular attractions at carnivals. Your interactive body augmentation will take the form of a cursed transformation booth, where visitors can receive a temporary tattoo and special effects makeup to appear cursed or possessed. The booth will be decorated with a spooky theme, complete with tarot cards and crystal balls, and visitors can receive a brief tarot card reading to enhance the experience.

“The Cyborg Enhancement” In the future, technology has advanced to a point where people can enhance their bodies with cybernetic implants. Your interactive body augmentation will take the form of a “cyborg enhancement” booth, where visitors can receive a temporary cybernetic arm or leg attachment. The booth will be decorated with a cyberpunk theme, complete with neon lights and robotic props, and visitors can take photos in a futuristic backdrop.

“The Circus Animal Trainer” In the past, circus animal acts were a popular attraction, despite concerns about animal welfare. Your interactive body augmentation will take the form of an animal trainer transformation booth, where visitors can receive a temporary circus-themed costume and accessories, such as a whip or a chair. The booth will be decorated with a circus tent theme, complete with circus posters and props, and visitors can take photos with a trained circus animal prop, such as a lion or an elephant. The experience will raise awareness about animal rights and the ethics of using animals in entertainment.

We selected a combination of the VR Experience and the Cyborg Enhancement.

Construction

Our goal was to showcase the introduction of a new VR product called POV, which used a modified goggle-like structure to immerse users in a virtual world, either of what used to be or what could be, never of what currently is. By implementing a neuro-linked brain chip, the user’s reality would become altered, creating an alluring escape from the harsh reality of their world.

To achieve our desired narrative, we utilized a range of footage depicting the societal unrest and world decline we wanted to convey. However, it was crucial to ensure that the clips blended seamlessly to tell a coherent story. I used the timeline feature in DaVinci Resolve to help arrange the clips in a logical sequence that kept the flow of the narrative. Throughout the editing process, the clips took on new meanings as they were combined. It was clear that the power of video storytelling is its ability to create empathy and convey complex ideas. It was challenging to ensure that each clip contributed to the overarching narrative, but this ultimately led to a more immersive story. Here is how I did it:

Steps:

Pre-production: I conceptualized the commercial and determined the specific elements that I would incorporate, including the theme, setting, and tone. I also decided on the necessary equipment, such as cameras, lighting, and sound recording devices.
Scripting: Once the concept was finalized, I wrote a script that outlined the story and dialogue for the video. I considered the glitching between utopia and dystopia and how it would be executed. I also decided on the duration of the commercial.
Shooting: I filmed the necessary footage, including both utopian and dystopian scenes. This involved multiple locations, actors, and props. I ensured that the lighting and sound were consistent across all scenes and that the footage was of high quality.
Editing: I imported the footage into editing software and began piecing together the scenes to form a cohesive story. This process included cutting, trimming, and rearranging the footage to match the script. I also experimented with glitch effects and transitions to achieve the desired utopian/dystopian effect.
Sound design: The sound design of the video was crucial in setting the mood and tone. I added sound effects, music, and dialogue to complement the visuals and create the desired effect of utopia and dystopia.
Color correction: I adjusted the color and tone of the footage to create a consistent look and feel. This involved color grading, contrast adjustments, and saturation changes.
By following this process, I created a commercial that glitched between utopia and dystopia, delivering a compelling and thought-provoking message.
Screenshot of DaVinci Resolve and the clips and audio effects

The product is also visible in parts of this commercial (0:23 – 0:27).

My colleague Vivian focused on the Illustrator files for the overall design of the physical product. From this, we focused on laser engraving and heated altering of the acrylic to the goggles began to come to fruition. Her inspiration is depicted below:

For more detail into this process: Vivian’sPost

Now we were ready to combine the visual media with the 3D product. For the general experience of the user, we wanted to demonstrate to outside viewers the falsehood of the product. With this demonstration of performance, the VR experience is only impactful to the user interacting with it directly. The other viewers that see the product from an outside perspective can see the falsehood beyond what is truly going on. For this, we created shifty products for the food, rides, and games encountered within the virtual carnival reality:

The props and creation of the immersive experience were created by my team member Olivia. She created the of the products such as cotton candy:

For more detail into this process: Olivia’s Post

Reflection & Conclusion

Working with others on this project has been a delightful experience. It was refreshing to collaborate with people with different perspectives and expertise and to witness how each one of us brought unique strengths to the table. The energy and enthusiasm we all had toward the project were contagious, and it made the entire process fun and engaging. One of the benefits of working with others was the synergy of brainstorming ideas together. We could leverage each other’s ideas and build upon them, creating a final product that exceeded what any one of us could have accomplished on our own. The different viewpoints also helped us to avoid groupthink and to consider a wider range of possibilities.

The successful creation of this concept required a combination of artistic vision, technical expertise, and an understanding of the human experience. To achieve this, the project team had to work together to create a cohesive and impactful experience for the participants. One of the most critical elements of this project was the use of “augmented reality” to alter the user’s perception of reality and convert a sense of blindness.

The form and material of the constructed augmentation were also essential elements of the experience. The team carefully selected materials that were durable, lightweight, and comfortable to wear while still conveying the intended message. Performative qualities were another critical aspect of this experience. The team needed to understand how to use movement, sound, and other sensory inputs to create a fully immersive and engaging experience for the participant. This was done very effectively through the use of the commercial pitch and demonstration.

Overall, the successful creation of this concept and product required a highly skilled and collaborative team with a deep understanding of art, technology, and human experience which I believe we achieved. By carefully considering all of these elements, the team was able to create a carnival experience that conveyed powerful conceptual life scenarios and leaves a lasting impact on the participant and viewers.

Final Images