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Reflection

Kal:

This project has been a challenging but exciting process. I feel that we as a team faced many issues during this project, both personal and project-related, but we were ready to support each other and made sure that group work, coordination and support for each other was at a higher priority at every step compared to everything else. This project has been an unforgettable experience for me and I feel like I have learnt a lot and made great friends during the course of these three weeks.

Allie:

It’s been such a joy working with people again! I’m here to better my own work, certainly, but as I’m an animator used to working with large groups, it’s been great getting a chance to know some talented fellow students and settling into one unit. The Belbin test was pretty accurate in rating a lot of us highly on the “Teamworking” scale: everyone was flexible to changing plans and willing to take on new tasks to complete the project.

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Post-Production

The sound for the project was compiled in Premiere Pro, and every single effect and musical track is free to use (mostly from Pixabay, which is always royalty-free). Nevertheless, they will be cited at the bottom of this blog post.

Kal:

We faced an issue in the post-production stage when running our render through premiere. There was a wrapping issue and the 360 video had a black tear on it. 

Though this was concerning, I quickly tried following Neil’s guide on processing the render in Adobe Media Encoder. We did not see this issue with that file output.

Once, that was done, Allie started working on sound effects and started putting the music together. Once the video was encoded, I started work on After Effects and then converted the video to a dome format.

References List:

Floraphonic (2023). Fireball Whoosh 5. [Audio, sound effect] Pixabay: Floraphonic. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/fireball-whoosh-5-179129/.

Naeselius, H. (2021). The Story Begins. [Audio] YouTube: Epidemic Sound. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7l2s08QExs [Accessed 5 Feb. 2024].

‌‌PixaBay (2022). 062864_ESE (whoosh). [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/062864-ese-24142//.

‌‌PixaBay (2021). Burning air. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/burning-air-6882/.‌‌

PixaBay (2022). Dragon growl. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/dragon-growl-37570/.

‌‌PixaBay (2022). Dragon Roar) High intensity. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/dragon-roar-high-intensity-36564/.

PixaBay (2021). Little Whoosh. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/little-whoosh-2-6301/.

PixaBay (2021). Monster growl. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/monster-growl-6311/.

Shut_Up_Ghost (2023). Smooth Cold Wind - Looped. [Audio, sound effect] PixaBay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/smooth-cold-wind-looped-135538/.

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Production 4: Compiling & Rendering

Compiling and rendering everything for this project was a complex task, as always. Our team faced multiple issues in the various exports we tried- ranging from splits within the scene in the 360 video that weren’t present in the original export, to the ever-present threat of hefty render times. 

Kal:

This was a major time-taking task since some of the files started to crash when exporting out animations. So, there was a lot of tedious work involved during the compiling stage that involved re-importing objects and redoing the shading in the new files.

Another issue we were facing was how we could end the video. The initial idea was to have the dragon swallow the camera i.e the viewer, but we re quickly realised that this would mean that there would be warping and stretching on the jaws that would feel unnatural and break the immersion.

So to help with this I made a simple firebreathing 2D vfx in blender that imitated an anime-like artstyle.

With that being the last step, we started to render. This was a very tedious and unnerving step since we were all new to working on this format and were unsure of how it would turn out in the end. We initially scrapped our idea to make an 8k render since the render time showed that it would take more than two days to make that rende with out best machine. So we stuck to a 4k render.

The 4k render took around 8 hours to complete. However, once the render was out I noticed a clipping issue in the very end that I did not notice before when compiling. So, I quickly went back to the blender file and fixed it before setting up an account with a renderfarm to make a new render. We thought of making an 8k render since the render would be delivered in less than 2 hours with this service.

Unfortunately, the 8k render had its own issues where the particle effects were rendered out strangely, with them somehow being pivoted to the world origin and the dragon, and they seemed to rapidly and unevenly blink in and out. They were very distracting and broke immersion for a majority of the portion of the video. A 4k render without particles was made, but somehow that version felt less lively and bland compared to our original version. It went against the artistic vision we as a group agreed on at the start.

So we all decided to stick to the original 4k render. Despite there being a clipping issue, we agreed that that version was more lively and had more charm to it than the other ones.

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Production 3.1: Particles

Melissa 

Introduction: 

Now with the animation completed next was building up the extra visuals ready for rendering. Others worked on sound and environmental building. I began researching and creating particles for the final render. Two particles were needed which were the shooting star and the fireflies that follow the dragon as his moves. 

Task: 

To start I worked on the Particles that would follow the dragon during his movement. To help me learn this I used a curve video (Ruan3D, 2022) as guidance on creating these particles. which meant that the particle system would be applied to the model making it the emitter. Creating a separate ico sphere would act as the particle itself which I can edit giving it the emission texture making it glow whilst adding the evees render “bloom” effect to allow it to glow. I also added velocity to the stars so that they disperse out and they aren't as glued to the model. 

This was done the same again for the shooting star however, using another video (Blender Study, 2021) which shows that I can animate a long cylinder to act as the base along a curve. This is a very similar set-up to the dragon. By creating the cylinder and applying the same settings of emission and glow it now looks like smaller particles following the star. 

References 

Blender Study. (2021). Blender Tutorial - Particle trail in less than 5 minutes. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i0VwC5Jccc. [Accessed 09 Feb. 2024]. 

Ruan3D. (2022). Blender Beginner Tutorial: Particles Following A Spiral Curve. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBwTRPHZTpE&t [Accessed 09 Feb. 2024]. 

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From Unreal Engine to Blender: Navigating Software Challenges in Scene Composition

Embarking on any creative project involves a myriad of decisions, from conceptualization to execution. Recently, our team embarked on a journey to bring a fantastical scene to life, complete with animated dragons and mesmerizing northern lights. However, our path was not without its hurdles, particularly in the realm of software selection and compatibility.

Test Render from UE 5

While the initial test render showed promise, we quickly encountered a significant roadblock: rendering speed. The process was slower than anticipated, impeding our workflow and causing frustration. Undeterred, we pressed on, only to face another challenge. Importing our animated dragon proved to be more challenging than expected, stalling our progress and prompting us to seek alternatives.

Additionally, creating the ethereal beauty of the northern lights within Unreal Engine 5 proved to be elusive. Despite our efforts and the utilization of plug-ins such as Ultra Dynamic Sky, we couldn't achieve the desired result. Furthermore, Unreal Engine 5's limitations prevented us from rendering our scene in the immersive 360 format we envisioned.

Faced with these obstacles, we made a pivotal decision to transition to Blender. Despite being initially apprehensive, we found that Blender offered a more flexible and versatile solution to our challenges. We began by blocking out our scene in Blender and conducting a test render for a 360-degree video.

Test render from Blender

With our newfound confidence in Blender, we finalized our scene, embracing its intuitive interface and expansive capabilities. The journey from Unreal Engine to Blender was not without its twists and turns, but it ultimately led us to a more fulfilling and rewarding outcome.

In the world of creative endeavors, challenges are inevitable. However, it is how we navigate and overcome these challenges that define the trajectory of our projects. Our experience serves as a testament to the importance of adaptability and perseverance in the pursuit of artistic excellence.

As we gaze upon our completed scene, with its majestic dragons and dancing northern lights, we are reminded that sometimes the most fulfilling journeys are the ones filled with unexpected detours. And in those detours, we often discover the true extent of our creativity and resilience.

Kal:

With my hands-free of the modelling stage, I quickly jumped in to help with the environment since we started facing some unexpected issues with our original plan. While Athul tried to figure out and fix the issues in Unreal we made a backup plan to start working on a blender environment, just to be on the safe end.

Here are the initial HDRIs I made for blender to fit with the concept.

However, I felt like it wasn’t fully suited to the initial vision we were going for. Once it was confirmed that we were fully sticking to Blender and abandoning Unreal, I started working on an environment.

Since the artistic direction was to go for a stylised approach, I started reworking on the environment and researched more about painterly effects and textures. I also remade the aurora borealis and made it an object instead of a part of the sky. Here is the result of this step:

Once I received a blockout version of Athul’s environment from Unreal, I started working on applying similar stylised and painterly shaders to it. Here is the result of this step:

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Production 3: Animation

Melissa 

Introduction: 

After completing the 3D model, it required to be rigged out and animated ready to be rendered into the final piece. Using the 3D block out as a reference before then preparing and adjusting the rig later for the full 3d sculpt. 

Task: 

Firstly, I researched methods of how to approach animated as I have never done this before. There were a few options however, I chose (Shieverski, 2024.) as my best option. This is done by using the curve modifier as the path that will animate the mesh for me without needing a rig. However, after multiple tests, Unreal Engine (UE) could not transfer the file animation. This is because UE required bones to be able to read the animation therefore, I had to find a new solution to this method.  

This is where I investigated rigging (Critical Giants, 2021.) this video provided the basics of building the rig and adding IK which helps control the legs and arms. To create a more a more fluid animation I had to find other alternatives such as damp tracks. (Nita Ravalji, 2021.) This video shows how it can almost self-animate its flowing movement, however when applied to the spine it would spin out of control. Therefore, this could only be applied to the tail and fur. To solve the spines, I found another method which is a “Spline Rig” (Dikko, 2020.) Which uses a curve to control the bones however, because there are bones in place UE can read the animation. 

Later, throughout production, we came across more issues with UE which led to us using Blender. Because of this choice, the rig was scrapped resulting in going back to the curve animation modifier from before. 

To animate this was very easy as I only needed to apply the Modifier to the model, both body and head. They were separated as the head key frame would bug out otherwise. Now all that was needed was to animate the body to follow the flow of the time frames given to me;    0:00 - 0:05 Very slow fade in   0:05 - 0:16 Clouds and NL move slowly (Sounds of gentle wind and fog)   0:16 - 0:18 Shooting star effect (?)   0:19 - 0:24 - Clouds and NL continue to move   0:25 - Dragon emerges suddenly out from behind a mountain   0:27 - Dragon Roars, sounds of wind pick up   0:27 - 0:53 - Dragon weaves around the mountains (Dragon roars sound effects)   0:50 - 1:55 dragon spirals to the centre top of the dome, turns and looks down   0:55 - 1:04 Dragon speeds down and swallows the camera   1:04 - 1:10 Environment and music fades 

Refs 

Shieverski (2024.). Procedural Dragon Animation (Part 2: Animation) - Blender 4.0 Tutorial. [online] Available at: https://youtu.be/0s-Mh3icah8?si=YMfajj4HjAo7dklP [Accessed 07 Feb. 2024]. 

Nita Ravalji (2021.). Easy technique for secondary animation in Blender. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNSXNnksWms&t [Accessed 07 Feb. 2024]. 

‌Critical Giants (2021.). Simple Rigging In Blender. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBseo4YLa4&t [Accessed 07 Feb. 2024] 

Dikko (2020.). HOW TO BUILD Basic FK, IK, Bendy Bone and Spline IK Rigs! - Character Rigging 02b. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv4TQIxXoZY&t=2295s [Accessed 07 Feb. 2024]. 

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Production 1.1: Texturing

Melissa 

Introduction: 

After the completion of sculpting and retopology by Kal the mesh is now ready to be textured. To do this I used substance painter which I’m familiar with from pervious projects. Using the concept art as my reference to match the markings and colours as best as possible. 

Task: 

Starting off I imported the low Poly mesh into substance painter provided by the UV maps to texture on. Before texturing I want to add the detail of the high poly mesh onto the low Poly by baking it. There were a few issues such as some parts being stretched this is because of the clipping of the mesh as it was not all joined by vertices. To fix this I created a cage which will wrap around the low Poly but will not clip so the application knows to only bake what’s on the outside. 

With the baking detail completed I moved my focus on adding the colours. Starting off I followed a video (Stylized Station, 2020) to help me create a stylized base using gradients and OC. Once the base was ready, I started to paint the patterns. using the fill with a black mask allows me to easily change the colour if necessary. I also imported the image of the concept art to colour-pick the colours off the art to keep it as close to the art as possible. However, later once reviewed by peers some colours were changed to create a bright splash of colour. 

Refences 

Stylized Station (2020). How to Make Your First Stylized Texture in 5 Minutes using Substance Painter [BEGINNERS TUTORIAL]. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbYLqzW4Z_Y. [Accessed 07 Jan. 2024]. 

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Production 2: Environment

Kal:

We attempted several different methods of creating our environment for this project. One was to have Allie make some 2D assets for the sky and surrounding environment, as seen below:

However, when imported into the scene, the cloud movements were not realistic enough and caused some issues within Unreal Engine, so they were scrapped in favour of making 3D assets. The team was able to make some excellent mountains and a beautiful sky with Aurora Borealis textures handmade by Kal.

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Production 1: Modelling

Melissa Introduction :

After the concept stage, we discussed each concept to determine the most suited. The space theme, although less complex, required heavy VFXs. Despite its simplicity, we all felt the idea needed to be more engaging and suited to the dome design. Therefore, we settled with the dragon concept. While it's more challenging and complex, it has a more captivating design for our audience.  

This now allows us to move on to the production of the project. The most complex aspect of the project is the model of the dragon. To manage the workload, we split the tasks between Melissa and Kal. 

Task

Melissa took on the first task of blocking, using Alisa’s Asian dragon concept as guidance. To make the model easy to retopologize, we split the mesh into sections: Head, Body, Fur, and Legs. The blocking is rough but provides a base for sculpting and a general idea of what the model will look like in the future. 

Issues 

The main complication we faced was with the fur, as we didn't want to individually sculpt each detail, as this took up too much time. We decided to block the fur out so it could be animated to flow along with the body. Then, it can be separated into clumps to make it much easier to handle. This likely saved us some time on sculpting, allowing us to focus on future tasks.  Kal:

With concept art for the dragon in place, I started to work on the Dragon blockout model that Melissa worked on. With the concept as the primary source of reference, I also used other influences and references to help me build the model.

I worked on the high poly and low poly versions of the model simultaneously in Zbrush by using the Dynamic subdivision and subdivisions feature to save time. The initial idea and Allie’s storyboard featured the dragon’s jaw opening as it hurtles towards the viewer. So keeping this in mind I used the layers function in Zbrush to sculpt a version of the dragon with its jaw open.

Thanks to Zbrush’s system for exporting layers through fbx we will be able to use this feature in the model in either Ureal Maya or Blender.

With the high poly and low poly complete, the next step was to unwrap the models to prepare them for baking and texturing. I used Rizom UV for this process and due to the limited time we had I could not optimize the models as much as I would have liked. But since the dragon will only be seen from a distance this was not a major priority.

With the model unwrapped with proper UVs I handed it off to Melissa for baking, texturing, and animation.

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Conceptual and creative development

The Ideation Stage

Kal: Once we were assigned into the group, we had started to brainstorm ideas from the moment of the first meetup itself. I put forward my ideas to look into geometry nodes in Blender, and that seemed like a good way to start and make an creative immersive experience. 

Individual Research

After the first session each of us in the group began to start on our own individual research into Immersive Experiences. Each of us then sent in at least three different examples of immersive experiences that caught our eye into the Discord group that we set up. At this point we had started to get some idea of what was being expected for the final presentation, and with that in mind we started to brainstorm ideas.

OneDrive & Trello Setup

The next step was to set up a shared onedrive folder for file-sharing. And at the same time we created a Trello dashboard to lay out the detailed steps of the next plan and assign roles and tasks to each individual member of the groups. This can also help us to determine at what stage the project was at and what other tasks were pending. 

Idea 1 - Rough Concepting & Sketches

In our next meeting, we started to work on our first idea together as a group and made some rough sketches and wrote some rough ideas for our first idea. We also started a shared pinterest board where we started to put our references and influences in one place. 

The first idea  involved a winter theme, the northern lights and an ice dragon. We also created a written version of the idea, of what the viewer would be seeing on the dome so that it helps establish a storyboard in the next step.

The second idea involved a space theme. While we determined a basic vision and workflow, at this point of the project, this needs to be developed further before presentation.

Learning New Skills

We also established a timetable where the 3D artists of the group (Melissa, Kal and Athul) would be working on learning the new concepts and workflows as shown in the technical session, while Alisa and Allie start working on concept art and storyboarding respectively.

Technical Test

After the first technical session we decided to work on the technical workflow by taking a previous project of Athul’s and followed the steps that Neil showed. After a few technical hurdles and crashes we got the result that we desired.

Alisa:

Melissa and I at first made quick sketches of the dragon to determine that we all agree on what kind of direction and look we'll aim to reach.

 It was agreed that the asian dragon aesthetic is what we both had in mind, our group members were also on board with this creative decision. 

As a concept artist, I was tasked to develop concept art pieces for the project including the dragon. 

I have been inspired by this blender tutorial

(https://youtu.be/A8ATMFPNaFY?si=VCMEHnlTrV-Fn8W3)

My group members liked the idea and we discussed in depth the technical aspects of how the dragon will be modelled in 3D. The details on the head will be solid as these are horns, whereas the tentacle-like details on the body will be modelled as particles to achieve a more “flowy” look, since in our installation the dragon will be flying and these details will be following the natural movement of its body as well. 

Since we've decided on a snowy wintery land theme for our installation, I've sketched an environment concept featuring snowy mountains and a full moonlit night. The scene aims to immerse viewers in a tranquil yet enchanting setting, inviting them to explore and experience the magic of a winter wonderland. My team members were on board with this visualisation and took on working further. 

Allie:

As the resident animator, I was happy to get on storyboards! Ours are formatted thusly as a circular shape, so we can visualise what our audience will actually be seeing when it’s projected onto the dome.

Our first and favourite idea was the dragon concept:

We’re planning on the audience being showered with particle effects in a snowy landscape, watching as a dragon spirals up into the sky before lunging down at the crowd. We also plan to incorporate some Aurora Borealis effects to imply a sort of afterlife or fantastical element (on top of the dragon). Here’s another little concept sketch:

One of our other ideas was to have our audience experience an exciting journey through space, getting yanked through the solar system. While this project would have been easier to execute, we decided to go with the former for the pure fun of it, and it has less chance of making our audience motion sick. Here’s an early storyboard and some scrapped concept work, anyway!

Kal:

Since we were working on limited time, I wanted us as a group to make efficient use of our strengths and resources and identify weaknesses and issues in things we needed clarification on as early as possible. For the next phase, we needed to work on these things together and focus on getting things out of the way.

Dragon 3D model

Dragon Animation

Environment

Pre-Visualisations

The primary priority was a pre Visualization test and setup of the final environment with a temp dragon with keyframe animations and a temp environment with temporary textures applied. Particle effects will also need to be applied to see if they clash with art style. 

Melissa will be working on practising animation on a temp model while I work on the dragon and finalise it. The assets in this test will be replaced with final models, effects, environments and textures. This is a better approach than our original idea of a grease pencil animatic since grease pencil work will not be used for the final render, and ultimately Allie's work will not be well-spent. 

Pre-vis is our primary priority since this is the area that none of us have expertise in, and all of our strengths lie elsewhere. We'll find hurdles, mistakes, and things that were overlooked if a couple of us start work on this right away. It will save us last-minute hassle and help us identify issues immediately. With this information, we would know what we should or should not do when coming to modelling or the environment so that time is saved and the work we put in is not wasted.

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Research

Melissa

Subject 1: Space and Galaxy 

The first theme I wanted to research is Space as I feel like this is a fun subject to explore and allows for many fascinating visuals. To explore this subject, I researched into multiple artifacts to learn and build ideas for a potential concept. 

Destination Cosmos: 

This is an immersive experience provided by Fabrique des Lumières, which is popularly known for many of their experiences. The video (Fabrique des Lumières, 2023) has become my prime inspiration for the subject providing very wonderful colours whilst also being educational which I feel can be done very impactful and fun for the viewers. At (Fabrique des Lumières, 2023,00:00:15) the video shows galaxy colours which I think can be amazing in the dome physically surrounding you.   

Time-lapse of our Future: 

Whilst not an immersive experience, the video (melodysheep, 2019) visuals and videography are intense and very immersive as a view. It gives that sense of fear and wow watching time pass you by so fast and watching the world change. Taking in a closer look at Earth than the galaxy it's still an interesting take on the theme we could consider. The visuals of the black hole (melodysheep, 2019,00:15:08) are designed in inferred where two blackholes dance around each other it almost seems hypnotic with its colours. 

Subject 2: Nature and Magic 

The second theme was focused on Nature and magic, as some immersive experiences were educational or provided a story using the theme magic help steer the focuses more on the experience. Studying these elements can help me build and idea that can fully encapsulate the audience on a visual experience. 

Circle of Life: 

Circle of Life (LimeLight, 2021), was different from most immersive experiences as it doesn’t provide much of a story or education view. It focuses purely on the visuals which are very lucid and colourful and wrap you in a spectacle. Circle of Life, focused on mainly a colour theme such as blue or red to light up the room which would behave as stages in life. 

Jungle Palace: 

Jungle Palace (SUPERBIEN, 2024) is a multi-sensory experience which uniquely uses a restaurant as its dome. Using the objects around, creates space for both trees and animals to roam, such as the parrots in the sky (SUPERBIEN, 2024, 00:00:14). This focuses more on building a very dense environment, unlike most experiences that are very empty with colourful visuals. Every place you look is full of colour which makes you experience more wonder and joy when viewing it as it's so full of life.

Subject 3: Under Water/ Corals 

The third theme was creating an underwater experience seemed to be fun and beautiful project to offer. Knowing that “80% of the global ocean (and 50% of the U.S. Ocean) is still unmapped, with even more unexplored” (BOEM, 2023) leave a very fascinating wonder of what's under which gives freedom to add beyond to what we know. 

NAUSICAA: 

Nausicaa (Pixel n'Pepper, 2020) was designed to educate induvial on the global warming effects throughout the many disasters that happen to the planet. Despite a dark outlook, it created beautiful visuals using its space well treating the views as if they were within a box. One part of the video (Pixel n'Pepper, 2020, 00:00:14) visually presents crashing waves up against the box as the icebergs fall into the ocean. I feel like this could be a visually interesting transition to an underwater scene. 

OCEANS: 

OCEANS created by COSMO AV (2022) has the simple idea of just viewing the underwater world and the creatures within it, but it still provides a very serial experience. Being able to physically interact with the animals, such as the puffer fish blowing up when touched (COSMO AV, 2022, 00:00:39) The dark hues like blue influence the emotion calm” while the least stated emotions were anger and surprise” (Elif,2011) which creates a relaxing space you can immerse yourself in. 

References

BOEM (2023). Boldly Explore Where No One Has Explored Before | Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [online] Available at: https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/ocean-science-news/boldly-explore-where-no-one-has-explored [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

COSMO AV (2022). OCEANS - Digital Immersive Odyssey. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPuXu-ldRxI [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

Elif,H. (2011). Colour-Emotion Associations in Interior Spaces - ProQuest. [online] Available at: https://www.proquest.com/openview/e4caf2b66d063b5f6f16729c8fc4a734/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

Fabrique des Lumières (2023). Destination Cosmos: The Immersive Space Experience. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KK2HVj_1Sg [Accessed 24 Jan. 2024]. 

LimeLight. (2021). Circle of Life / Breathtaking Immersive Experience of Nature and Light. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3iIOpijMV4. [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

Melodysheep (2019). TIMELAPSE OF THE FUTURE: A Journey to the End of Time (4K). YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4izuDMUQA [Accessed 24 Jan. 2024]. 

Pixel n'Pepper (2020). NAUSICAA - Immersive room about global warming. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfq3aCInelU [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

SUPERBIEN. (2024). SUPERBIEN X EPHEMERA - JUNGLE PALACE IMMERSIVE RESTAURANT. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtTh2b4oKs [Accessed 25 Jan. 2024]. 

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Research

Allie:

RESEARCH BLOG 1:

When confronted with the project brief for the first time, I couldn’t help but think of the infamous Sphere in Las Vegas. It’s a massive dome that hosts all kinds of events and creates a truly immersive experience.

NBC News (2023). An inside look at the brand new Las Vegas Sphere. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjALZGztUh4 [Accessed 26 Jan. 2023].

While we don’t have quite the same budget for our little project, it goes to show the power of technology and spectacle to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

RESEARCH BLOG 2:

For inspiration prior to the actual beginning of the project, I made my way to London over the weekend to visit some immersive experiences and to get some time away from campus. As our programme leader recommended stopping by the Outernet London experience, that was first on the list.

Outernet London (2023). Outernet Butterfly Trail. [Immersive digital exhibit/augmented reality].

After exploring the city for a few hours, I decided to pop into a theatre to watch Poor Things, which had some really stunning cloud effects. The shift and shimmer of them during the film feel similar to an Aurora Borealis, if it were somewhat made of pollution. Maybe we can work this effect into our project somehow?

Poor Things. (2023). [Film] Searchlight Pictures.

RESEARCH BLOG 3:

Another inspiration from Las Vegas I’d like to keep in mind for this project is the Meow Wolf series of immersive projects. This company has a history of excellent work, but the particular exhibit I’d like to visit one day is Convergence Station.

This exhibit guides audiences through an alien world, plunging them into places unknown through sheer stylistic wonder. Our team so far seems to be creatively driven by bright and colourful work, and I feel this sort of dreamy style would work excellently in a dome format.

Meow Wolf (2021). Convergence Station. [Immersive Exhibit] Images available at: https://credits.meowwolf.com/convergence-station/.

Alisa:

In the activities of our group this week, particularly in making creative decisions for our project, the type of creativity that we experienced aligns with Harnad's concept of "Preparation." Our creative process involved careful preparation, where we thoroughly researched, gathered resources, and analyzed existing elements relevant to our project. As Harnad describes, creative outcomes often emerge as novel recombinations of existing elements, necessitating their availability through thorough preparation.

We recognized the importance of mastering what was already known in our domain, whether it was techniques, aesthetic principles, or thematic elements. By building a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding, we aimed to extend the framework from within, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity while remaining grounded in the existing context.

I looked deeper into immersive art and found the following examples:

Horizon of Khufu

Ancient Egypt's wonders are brought to life, with visitors journeying back 4,500 years to the Great Pyramid of Giza. Developed by Excurio and Egyptologist Peter Der Manuelian, the tech utilizes archaeological and historical data. During the 45-minute expedition, 'travellers' explore ancient civilization with virtual guide Mona. They ascend the 146-meter-high pyramid, witness mummification ceremonies, and navigate the Nile. The immersive experience offers extraordinary 360-degree views.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

The Arctic Refuge Experience. 

Exiting the first chamber, you enter a room with seven large video projections and mirrors. Mist fills the space, and ambient music plays as scenes of polar bears and snowy fields appear on screens. The atmosphere shifts abruptly to newsreels about oil drilling, followed by a call to action. Visitors are then led to a room where they can leave voice recordings for Big Oil CEOs. This installation aims to recreate memories of the Arctic Refuge using fragmented moments, requiring over 100 hours of raw footage and dry ice. 

References:

horizonkheopsexperience.com. (n.d.). Horizon of Khufu in London: The VR Immersive Experience. [online] Available at: https://horizonkheops.com/en/london/  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Staff •, E. (2019). Immersive art installation brings Arctic Alaska to Williamsburg. [online] The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Available at: https://brooklynreporter.com/2019/10/immersive-art-installation-brings-arctic-alaska-to-williamsburg/  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

vangoghexpo.com. (2021). Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience - London. [online] Available at: https://vangoghexpo.com/london/. [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Athul:

Exploration

In our group's ongoing journey of creativity, we have now moved into the phase of "Exploration." This phase is characterized by the active seeking of new ideas and inspirations, often through exposure to diverse sources and perspectives. In line with this, I have delved deeper into the realm of immersive art, discovering a variety of fascinating examples that have broadened our understanding and stimulated our creative thinking.

Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Chicago

The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Chicago offers a unique opportunity to experience Van Gogh's art in a new dimension. The exhibit features a variety of Van Gogh's works, presented in an immersive format that allows visitors to feel as though they are stepping into the paintings themselves. The exhibit also offers a 2-for-1 ticket deal, allowing visitors to experience the Immersive Monet & The Impressionists exhibit as well.

Immersive Art Experiences

The rise of immersive art has seen a variety of exhibitions that allow visitors to step into the world of famous artists. These include "Frida: Immersive Dream," "Immersive Klimt Revolution," "Imagine Picasso: The Immersive Exhibition," "Beyond Monet," "Monet by the Water," "Gaudí: the Architect of the Imaginary," "Chagall: Midsummer Night’s Dreams," and "Dalí: The Endless Enigma." These exhibitions travel the world, showcasing in cities across Europe, Asia, and North America.

metaLAB Exhibition

The metaLAB exhibition in Kansas centers the voices of formerly incarcerated women. The installation features a darkened gallery with a 360-degree projection of the women's insights in a dreamlike, ethereal style. Visitors can contribute their own wisdom to this growing collection, fostering a sense of shared knowledge and understanding.

Area15, Las Vegas

Area15 in Las Vegas is an experiential art and entertainment complex that showcases a variety of immersive art installations. The venue's art experiences include a permanent gallery called Art Island that showcases artwork inspired by festivals.

Superblue, Miami

Superblue Miami is a venue designed to showcase large-scale works that immerse and engage visitors as part of the art experience. The venue includes installations by Es Devlin, teamLab, and James Turrell, each offering unique immersive experiences

References

Immersive Van Gogh Chicago. (n.d.). Van Gogh Exhibit Chicago: The Immersive Experience. [online] Available at: https://vangoghchicago.com/  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Weiner, A. (2022). The Rise of ‘Immersive’ Art. [online] The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-silicon-valley/the-rise-and-rise-of-immersive-art  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Reed, R. (n.d.). metaLAB exhibition in Kansas centers voices of formerly incarcerated women. [online] Harvard Law School. Available at: https://hls.harvard.edu/today/metalab-exhibition-in-kansas-centers-voices-of-formerly-incarcerated-women/  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Mitchell, B. (2021). The world’s top 11 immersive art experiences. [online] Blooloop. Available at: https://blooloop.com/technology/in-depth/immersive-art-experiences/  [Accessed 26 Jan. 2024].

Delving into Creative Preparation

In our recent collaborative endeavors within our creative group, the theme of preparation has been paramount. Drawing from Harnad's notion of creative preparation, we engaged in meticulous research, resource gathering, and analysis to fuel the creative process. Harnad emphasizes that novel creativity often arises from a thorough understanding and recombination of existing elements, underscoring the significance of preparation in creative pursuits.

Our focus on mastering existing knowledge within our domain allowed us to innovate while staying rooted in established frameworks. This approach provided a solid foundation from which we could explore new horizons of creativity, leveraging the wealth of available resources to push boundaries and generate novel outcomes.

Exploring immersive art further, I discovered several captivating examples that exemplify the fusion of technology, art, and storytelling:

"Rain Room" by Random International: Rain Room is an interactive art installation that simulates a perpetually raining environment. Developed by Random International, this installation features a downpour of water that ceases to fall wherever individuals walk, thanks to motion sensors. Visitors can navigate through the rain without getting wet, creating a mesmerizing and immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between art and reality.

"TeamLab Borderless" by teamLab: TeamLab Borderless is a digital art museum in Tokyo, Japan, renowned for its boundary-defying artworks. Spanning across various themed zones, this museum features interactive digital projections that respond to visitors' movements, creating an ever-changing and immersive environment. Visitors can explore ethereal landscapes, vibrant flora and fauna, and mesmerizing light displays, fostering a sense of wonder and connectivity with the art.

"Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return" by Meow Wolf: Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return is an immersive art experience located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This interactive art exhibit invites visitors to explore a fantastical universe filled with surreal environments, secret passages, and mind-bending installations. Through a combination of multimedia storytelling and interactive elements, visitors are encouraged to unravel the mysteries of the House of Eternal Return, making each visit a unique and immersive adventure.

By delving into these immersive art installations, we can draw inspiration for our own creative projects while recognizing the pivotal role of preparation in achieving impactful and innovative outcomes.

References:

RANDOM INTERNATIONAL (2012). Rain Room. [online] RANDOM INTERNATIONAL. Available at: https://www.random-international.com/rain-room-2012  [Accessed 27 Jan. 2024].

teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Tokyo | teamLab. (n.d.). teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Tokyo | teamLab. [online] Available at: https://www.teamlab.art/e/borderless-azabudai/  [Accessed 27 Jan. 2024].

Meowwolf.com. (2016). Meow Wolf Santa Fe. [online] Available at: https://meowwolf.com/visit/santa-fe  [Accessed 27 Jan. 2024]

Inspiration

Expanding upon the insightful discussions of preparation and exploration in the creative process, I'd like to delve into another crucial aspect: inspiration. While preparation involves gathering existing elements and exploration entails venturing into new territories, inspiration is the spark that ignites creativity, driving artists to transform ideas into tangible expressions.

In the realm of immersive art, inspiration often stems from diverse sources, ranging from personal experiences to social issues and technological advancements. Let's explore some captivating examples:

"The Weather Project" - Tate Modern, London

"The Weather Project" by artist Olafur Eliasson transformed the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall into an immersive environment that simulated the experience of a sunlit misty morning. The installation featured a giant artificial sun, created using mono-frequency lights and mirrors, casting a warm glow over the space. Visitors were invited to bask in the ethereal atmosphere, fostering contemplation on the relationship between nature, technology, and human perception.

"Submergence" - Various Locations Worldwide

"Submergence" is an immersive art installation created by digital arts collective Squidsoup. Comprising thousands of individually controllable LED lights suspended in a darkened space, the installation envelops viewers in a mesmerizing sea of light and sound. Inspired by the organic patterns found in nature, such as bioluminescent marine life and celestial phenomena, "Submergence" invites participants to immerse themselves in an otherworldly experience, evoking a sense of transcendence and interconnectedness.

These examples highlight the diverse sources of inspiration in immersive art, from natural phenomena to cultural events and technological innovations. By tapping into the power of inspiration, artists can create immersive experiences that resonate deeply with audiences, fostering connections and sparking moments of introspection and wonder.

References:

Tate (n.d.). Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. [online] Tate. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/turbine-hall  [Accessed 27 Jan. 2024].

Squidsoup.org. (2013). Submergence (2013, 2016) – s q u i d s o u p . o r g. [online] Available at: https://www.squidsoup.org/portfolio/submergence-2/  [Accessed 28 Jan. 2024].

[ipgroupblog]

BLOG 1 (Melissa): First Group Task

Introduction 

The interdisciplinary project was a project assigned to me and many media students to create an impressive art experience. We were split into many groups, I joined a group of 4 other students, all of whom had different backgrounds/skills. As we didn’t know each other, we were given multiple tasks as icebreakers to help get a better understanding of our skills.

Group Task 

We were given two group tasks. First was a task being our ice breaker, a simple task and little planning. However, our second task was much harder as we were given the goal of building a way to protect an egg from a drop with limited tools. We recorded our process to see how we would behave as a team before then reflecting on how it compares to the personality tests. 

Reflecting Reports 

Myers-Briggs test gives an outlook beyond work and more as an individual. This gave more insight into who I am than what I am which I believe connects far more compared to the Belbin Report. The Belbin looks especially at my role within a team and less of an individual. 

Myers-Briggs 

Introverted (96%) This would have stated I would not have taken a leadership role and would prefer to listen however; I was more open and spoke more. However, I throughout the video I speak often, almost taking the lead in helping the situation and organising ideas. This links to the statement that “successful leaders and entertainers come from their ranks” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015a) meaning even if they are introverted doesn’t mean they can’t be leaders. 

Turbulent (100%) States it makes me very sensitive to stress. While I didn’t experience stress for the group task, it's likely because I'm aware that there are no consequences to my situation, therefore, no stress. 

Intuitive (68%) In the middle which made a middle ground between imagination and practicality. I feel like this seems to be the oddest one as I can be very imaginative however, I tend to not notice if that idea is practical. Like the Belbin report, I am good at planting ideas (50%) but never thinking about them practically. I did this a lot during the video as I would input a lot of ideas for the egg on how to keep it safe. However, I did find it hard to communicate these ideas and overlapping ideas making it confusing. 

Prospecting (65%) Fairly balanced like Intuitive, stating that " flexible when it comes to dealing with unexpected challenges.” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015b) this was presented very well during the video as I was sharing many ideas but easily got "overwhelmed by the sheer number of options” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015b) which was easily helped by the team by picking out the best ideas. 

Belbin Report 

Specialist (90%) 

My strongest role is Specialist, with the role being “Brings in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team” (Belbin, n.d.) this was seen well when I was able to state from memory how I did the egg challenge before. That knowledge helped us as a team build a stable contraption to protect the egg. 

Resource Investigator (80%) 

My second strongest role is Resource investigator, stating the role of “find ideas to bring back to the team.” In the video, I act more upon the role of resource investigator of being “Enthusiastic. Explores opportunities...” (Belbin, n.d.) and keeping the team motivated. This ties into my Myer’s Briggs test of “Introverted” as I was to keep the team organised with the ideas. Therefore, this may have been why my introverted report did not live up to the statement in the video because being an investigator conflicts with it. 

Implementer (70%) 

My third strongest role is Implementer, which states a weakness of being “inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities”. (Belbin, n.d.)  When looking at the video I was flexible to the new suggestions and changes but what made me inflexible was the fact I found to physically apply this in action. This connects to my Myers-Briggs test of prospecting stating that I am flexible, therefore, I can be flexible but only to an extent. 

Plant (50%) 

Lastly, my fourth strongest role plants, stating I’m “highly creative and good at solving problems” and often “generates ideas” (Belbin, n.d.) This follows into resource investigators often providing ideas for the team which I did often in the video. When it came to issues, I would often suggest ideas some were better than others which only shines a light on my Intuitive nature from the Myers-Briggs test. 

References 

Belbin, M. (n.d.). Belbin Team Roles. [online] Belbin. Available at: https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles. 

NERIS Analytics Limited (2015a). Energy: Introverted (I) vs. Extraverted (E). [online] Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/articles/energy-introverted-vs-extraverted. NERIS Analytics Limited (2015b). Tactics: Judging vs. Prospecting. [online] 16personalities.com. Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/articles/tactics-judging-vs-prospecting.

[ipgroupblog]

Introduction

Allie:

We’ve officially been sorted into our groups for the Interdisciplinary project, and I think we’ve got a great spread of students from the PG Media course. Most of the programme consists of game artists, but it seems as though our group especially covers a wide area of expertise; we’ve got character, concept, and environment bases covered. Additionally and most importantly, it seems as if we'll all work together well! Even though most of us were meeting for the first time during the short introduction time allotted, it was really encouraging to hear people piping up about the software they typically work with and their experiences thus far at the university.

First Collaborations

After we met, we were tasked with two problems to solve. The first was to divide a sheet of paper into as many pieces as we could manage, with each piece being half the size of the last. The second was to transport an egg safely out of a window using only these materials: two sheets of card paper, two rolls of tape (one painter’s, one sticky), scissors, two balloons, and two pieces of string. We sprang to work and created the beautiful contraption you see below, and it worked! After we finally managed to unwrap the tape surrounding the egg, we revealed it was unscathed.

Belbin Report

This assignment was my first introduction to the Belbin roles! I can see how they'd be useful in group work, especially when all bases are covered. 

Here are my results. After comparing mine to the team, it seems we have a lot of Teamworkers and Specialists, which are my top results, but at least one or two of our members are Shapers and Resource Investigators so I have faith we'll manage to get the assignment completed. It's great news that a lot of us are versatile and willing to learn a lot about the necessary subjects to execute a vision!

The egg project saw us falling into our predicted roles quite easily, with all of the Teamworking tendencies among our group coming into play very strongly! We had trouble blowing up one of the balloons, so a couple of us gave it a go while the others filled in gaps in the work left behind. Additionally, when it became apparent that a certain tactic wouldn't work, our team was happy to switch tracks and try something different! 

Myers-Briggs

Comparing my results of this quiz to how I perceive myself, I can't say I'm too surprised. The extraversion trait gave me a bit of pause, but since studying here I do find myself much more energized by social interaction. This is in line with the Belbin test too, though it seems a bit less relevant to how I work. Nevertheless, the extraversion trait did show up within the egg exercise-- I was excited at the prospect of teamwork and social interaction and worked together with my groupmates to solve our problem. My intuition played a hand, too: when our plan didn't go perfectly, I took it upon myself to fashion the legs of our contraption to give it some cushioning, feeling that the more padding the egg had, the better chance our team had at succeeding. Feeling was relevant to the task in that I prioritised harmony and cooperation in the group, and the prospecting characteristic was present in my ability to switch gears as I needed to get the job done with my group! This is especially in line with the Teamworker result from Belbin.

Thanks!

Belbin, M. (1981). Belbin Team Roles. [1981] Belbin. Available at: https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles.

NERIS Analytics Limited (2023). 16Personalities. [online] 16personalities.com. Available at: https://www.16personalities.com.

Alisa:

I've been placed in Group Five for the interdisciplinary project, alongside four other PG Media group members. After our initial meeting and icebreaker session, we quickly bonded. The group dynamic began to mesh as we shared our experiences, ideas, and interests.

We faced our first task: to transport an egg safely from the window to the ground without breaking it using only paper, tape and a rope. We brainstormed ideas, pooling our creativity and expertise. Each of us had a task, and we supported one another every step of the way. With our combined efforts, the egg survived the journey safely. Our teamwork was key to success, proving that together, we can achieve anything. 

Belbin report

These are my results: 

According to this I am primarily a Resource Investigator and a Teamworker. It is said that Resource Investigators are appreciated for their enthusiasm and optimistic nature. Teamworkers care about others. They adapt and will do what is required. They support and fit in. They are versatile. The combination of these two roles means an overall interest in people and a desire to communicate. 

I believe that the test results are accurate and describe how I worked in our team.

 Myers-Briggs Test

I took the Myers-Briggs test as advised and the personality type that I was assigned was INFP. 

INFP stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

Introverted: I gain energy from solitude and inner reflection.

Intuitive: I focus on possibilities and future-oriented thinking.

Feeling: I make decisions based on personal values and empathy.

Perceiving: I prefer flexibility and spontaneity over strict planning.

What I found out is that in team settings, INFPs may bring fresh perspectives and creative solutions. My empathy allows me to understand others' perspectives deeply. It is also said that my sensitivity can aid in fostering harmony and understanding within the team.

However, I may need space for introspection and time alone to recharge. This being said, I believe that everyone’s personalities in the team balance each other out and work well together, as there have been no issues in communication or personality clashes. 

References:

Belbin, M. (n.d.). Belbin Team Roles. [online] Belbin. Available at: https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles. 

NERIS Analytics Limited (2023). 16 Personalities. [online] 16personalities.com. Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/. 

Athul:

Introduction

For the interdisciplinary project, I have been assigned to Group Five along with four other mates from the PG Media group. We had our first meeting and icebreaker session right after the groups were formed and we had started to get on with each other very well. I noticed that the group dynamic started to click and evolve almost instantly as we started to share our experiences, ideas, and interests.

Group Task

My group and I worked in the first task group, in which we were to construct a contraption for an egg under which the egg did not break when it was dropped down from the first floor of a building. Within the time frame we were allotted to work with the materials provided, we made it a mission to try to create some kind of contraption.

By making sure that our strategies were synchronized and working as a team, we were able to bring together a functional apparatus that was able to sustain the test and when the test was carried out our egg survived the test. Group task number one has been accomplished by our group.

Reflecting on my Belbin Report

My Belbin report suggested the following three traits as my three primary traits.

Specialist:Through the contributions made to the construction of the contraption, I ensured that any specific skills, experience or knowledge I possessed, which would be of use in the task, would be transferred to the task. In response, I heard extensive concepts and mind-blowing advice that I attempted to add on the foundation to support us in making a perfect contraption of the function and intended results in mind.

Team worker:  Looking back at the group task, I did note that I tried my best to be a team player, and to the best of my abilities tried to play that role in the task. I did so by making sure that everyone was comfortable with the idea, and the developing plan, and did my best to hear everyone’s thoughts and suggestions.

Reflecting on the Myers-Briggs Test

I took the Myers-Briggs test as advised and the personality type that I was assigned was: ENFJ-A 

Extraverted: The test indicates that I have a moderate preference for extraversion over introversion (28%). During the task, I found myself embodying my usual extraverted self, actively engaging in conversations and the collaborative effort. I made a conscious effort to involve others and ensure a vibrant exchange of ideas, recognizing the importance of team dynamics.

Intuitive: The results also suggest a moderate preference for intuition over sensing. Throughout the task, I naturally relied on my intuitive skills and knowledge, expressing confidence in the abilities and experiences of the group members. I embraced creative thinking and trusted my instincts to guide the team towards innovative solutions.

Feeling: The test indicates a slight preference for Feeling over Thinking (19%). While I may not delve deeply into introspection on this, I can acknowledge that I aimed to maintain a balance, avoiding over-analysis and trusting the emotional aspect of decision-making. I fostered a positive and supportive atmosphere within the group.

Judging: The test results also reveal a slight preference for judging over perceiving (12%). As someone with judging traits, I channeled my dedication and focus toward achieving our shared goals. Throughout the task, my attention remained steadfast, and I was committed to seeing the project through to completion, aligning with the traits associated with judging personalities.

Thank you for reading.

Kal:

Introduction

For the interdisciplinary project, I have been assigned to Group Five along with four other cohort mates from the PG Media group. We had our first meeting and icebreaker session right after the groups were formed and we had started to get on with each other very well. I noticed that the group dynamic started to click and evolve almost instantly as we started to share our experiences, ideas and interests.

Group Task

During the first group task, we were assigned to create a contraption for an egg so that it would be protected when it would be dropped down from the first floor of a building. Working with the materials that we were presented with, we set out to create a contraption within the limited time we were provided.

Through coordinated planning and teamwork, we were able to get a working contraption together on time, and when the test took place our egg survived. Our first group task was a success.

Reflecting on my Belbin Report

My Belbin report suggested the following three traits as my three primary traits.

Teamworker: Looking back at the group task, I did note that I tried my best to be a team player, and to the best of my abilities tried to play that role in the task. I did so by making sure that everyone was comfortable with the idea, and the developing plan, and did my best to hear everyone’s thoughts and suggestions.

Specialist: During my contributions to the development of the contraption, l ensured that any particular skills, experiences or knowledge I had, would be contributed to the task. I heard very great ideas and unique suggestions that I tried to build upon so that we could make the contraption work efficiently and as intended.

Shaper: As the definition of shaper suggested, I did enjoy working under pressure. It was quite fun to undertake the task of building a working contraption, by employing skills I was not specialised in on top of a limited timeframe.

Two particular points in the report stood out to me as well:

The report also said that:

“You’re likely to do well in situations where you can progress with study and gain experience in an area which involves helping and supporting other people.

Let others know that you like using your knowledge to help others. Look for ways of building up your reputation, so that you can build confidence in your chosen subject. This might be through training or by shadowing someone who works in that area.

You might feel less comfortable in a position where you’re asked to take on broad responsibilities and make decisions under pressure, as this is likely to cause you a lot of stress and worry.”

By reflecting on the task and my contribution to it, I can determine that I have more or less acted in a way that is described in the points stated in the report above.

Reflecting on the Myers-Briggs Test

I took the Myers-Briggs test as advised and the personality type that I was assigned was: INFJ. 

Introvert: The test says that I had a moderate preference for introversion over extraversion (28%). I would say that during the task, I was being my usual introverted self, while I involved myself in the conversation and the task, and I tried to ensure that I listened more to the discussion and was not talking over the others.

Intuitive: The test also said that I have a moderate preference for intuition over sensing. I would say that during the task I intuitively relied on my skills and knowledge and was intuitively confident in the abilities and experiences of the members in the group.

Feeling: The test said that I have a slight preference for Feeling over Thinking (19%). While I cannot reflect deeply on this, I can at least acknowledge that I tried to refrain from over-thinking while attempting the task, and was confident in the plan we had come up with as a group.

Judging: The test also said that I had a slight preference for judging over perceiving (12%). According to the website, those with judging traits are dedicated and focused on their goals, and I can say that during the task my whole attention and focus was dedicated to seeing it through.

Thank you for reading.

Melissa:

Introduction 

The interdisciplinary project was a project assigned to me and many media students to create an impressive art experience. We were split into many groups, I joined a group of 4 other students, all of whom had different backgrounds/skills. As we didn’t know each other, we were given multiple tasks as icebreakers to help get a better understanding of our skills.

Group Task 

We were given two group tasks. First was a task being our ice breaker, a simple task and little planning. However, our second task was much harder as we were given the goal to build a way to protect an egg from a drop with limited tools. We recorded our process to see how we would behave as a team before then reflecting on how it compares to the personality tests. 

Reflecting Reports 

Myers-Briggs test gives an outlook beyond work and more as an individual. This gave more insight into who I am than what I am which I believe connects far more compared to the Belbin Report. The Belbin look specially at my role within a team and less of an individual. 

Myers-Briggs 

Introverted (96%) This would have stated I would not have taken a leadership role and would prefer to listen however; I was more open and spoke more. However, I thought-out the video I speak often, almost taking the lead in helping the situation and organising ideas. This links the statement that “successful leaders and entertainers come from their ranks” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015a) meaning even if they are introverted doesn’t mean they can’t be leaders. 

Turbulent (100%) States it makes me very sensitive to stress. While I didn’t experience stress for the group task, it's likely because I'm aware that there are no consequences to my situation, therefore, no stress. 

Intuitive (68%) In the middle which made a middle ground between imagination and practicality. I feel like this seems to be the oddest one as I can be very imaginative however, I tend to not notice if that idea is practical. Like the Belbin report, I am good at planting ideas (50%) but never thinking about them practically. I did this a lot during the video as I would input a lot of ideas for the egg on how to keep it safe. However, I did find it hard to communicate these ideas and overlapping ideas making it confusing. 

Prospecting (65%) Fairly balanced like Intuitive, stating that " flexible when it comes to dealing with unexpected challenges.” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015b) this was present very well during the video as I was sharing many ideas but easily got "overwhelmed by the sheer number of options” (NERIS Analytics Limited, 2015b) which was easily helped by the team by picking out the best ideas. 

Belbin Report 

Specialist (90%) 

My strongest role is Specialist, with the role being “Brings in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team” (Belbin, n.d.) this was seen well when I was able to state from memory how I did the egg challenge before. That knowledge helped us as a team build a stable contraption to protect the egg. 

Resource Investigator (80%) 

My second strongest role is Resource investigator, stating the role of “find ideas to bring back to the team.” In the video, I act more upon the role of resource investigator of being “Enthusiastic. Explores opportunities...” (Belbin, n.d.) and keeping the team motivated. This ties into my Myer’s Briggs test of “Introverted” as I was to keep the team organised with the ideas. Therefore, this may have been why my introverted report did not live up to the statement in the video because being an investigator conflicts with it. 

Implementer (70%) 

My third strongest role is Implementer, which states a weakness of being “inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities”. (Belbin, n.d.)  When looking at the video I was flexible to the new suggestions and changes but what made me inflexible was the fact I found to physically apply this in action. This connects to my Myers-Briggs test of prospecting stating that I am flexible, therefore, I can be flexible but only to an extent. 

Plant (50%) 

Lastly, my fourth strongest role plants, stating I’m “highly creative and good at solving problems” and often “generates ideas” (Belbin, n.d.) This follows into resource investigators often providing ideas for the team which I did often in the video. When it came to issues, I would often suggest ideas some were better than others which only shines light on my Intuitive nature from the Myers-Briggs test. 

References 

Belbin, M. (n.d.). Belbin Team Roles. [online] Belbin. Available at: https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles. 

NERIS Analytics Limited (2015a). Energy: Introverted (I) vs. Extraverted (E). [online] Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/articles/energy-introverted-vs-extraverted. 

NERIS Analytics Limited (2015b). Tactics: Judging vs. Prospecting. [online] 16personalities.com. Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/articles/tactics-judging-vs-prospecting.