A striking VR journey redefining how we learn and connect.
This is a Hackathon project from MIT Reality Hack.
How we built it
The genesis of 'Memories of Kumi-Daiko' can be traced back to a personal experience of its founder. During their college years, they developed a passion for taiko drumming, which they lost touch with after graduation. Realizing the difficulty of accessing taiko drums outside of a professional setting, the founder decided to recreate the joy and camaraderie of their college days by leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology. The founder assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts in game development, immersive experience design, game VFX design, and art design to bring their vision to life. The team worked through multiple iterations and technical challenges to create a narrative-driven VR experience that guides players through the art of taiko drumming. Through storytelling, cultural exploration, and hands-on learning, 'Memories of Kumi-Daiko' aims to preserve cherished memories and inspire and connect individuals worldwide through the universal language of music.
Background
As a UX Designer
I have developed user environments that are easy to navigate and interact with for users of different skill levels in virtual reality environments. I conducted user research and testing to understand their preferences, pain points, and behaviors to achieve this. This helped me make iterative improvements to the design. I worked with multidisciplinary experts, including game developers and sound designers, to integrate UX design seamlessly into the overall VR experience.
We implemented interactive tutorials and guidance systems to help users learn quickly and progress through the experience easily. I used motion capture technology and immersive design principles to create engaging and immersive user experiences. Based on feedback and usability testing, I iteratively refined the UI/UX elements, prioritizing user-centered design principles and accessibility concerns.
I ensured consistency and coherence in visual design, typography, and color schemes to enhance usability and aesthetic appeal. By staying abreast of emerging trends and best practices in VR UX design, I continuously sought opportunities to innovate and elevate the user experience.
As a Game Developer
- I used Unity to develop interactive and immersive VR environments while optimizing performance and usability for VR platforms like Meta Quest 3.
- I collaborated with artists, designers, and sound engineers to integrate assets and ensure the game has a cohesive experience that aligns with the project vision and technical requirements.
I conducted playtesting sessions, during which I iteratively refined gameplay elements based on user feedback and testing data while balancing challenge, pacing, and fun factors.
- I maintained codebase integrity and scalability through efficient coding practices, version control, and documentation, allowing smooth collaboration and future development iterations.
- I stayed up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies, exploring new tools and techniques to enhance game development processes and outcomes.
- I contributed to project planning and scoping, providing technical insights and feasibility assessments to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
