Timeline:
Aug 22 - May 23
The Team:
Simran
Responsibilities
Physical installation - Hologram technology (XR)
Character Creation - Explore Laze Lab
Tools used:
Unreal Engine
Meta Human
iClone Character
Cinema 4D
Background
Laze Lab is an attempt to counter logic productivity culture enforced using success ideologies as a means of epistemic control.
Laze Lab conceptualizes a methodology of using various approaches to cultivate a gentle flow of life with Guru Roshni as its guide. It counters the logic of productivity culture by embodying laziness in a speculative design setting.
This stems from my research into modern-day cults and their leaders. I use methods of introspection into what modern-day cults could be like, or how I can use their power to attract people for a cause I believe in.
"The autonomy over resting whenever and whichever way we want."
The Hologram was displayed using a huge TV screen and was placed in front of a lounge chair. People were sitting and enjoying the experience. I used an Arduino mist creator to create an ambiance of relaxation.
Creating immersion using Holograms
Projected Video
Digital Exploration
My process delved into the physical and digital aspects of the experience.
CHALLENGES
Avatar Exploration
The first thing a movement needs is a voice, and this Voice of mine is named Roshni. An avatar that acts like a guru for this movement.
The gender and visual identity of the guru(avatar) is a very important part of how people listen or receive what they’re hearing. I was hoping to recreate a part of me, the lazy, playful, very desi side of me.
Avatar Creation
I tried as many Character Creator software as were available, but nothing felt right. I didn’t want to use cartoonised avatars as they can't be taken seriously in this context. I tried mapping my face and body but couldn't add hair because of system limitations.
Then I tried Metahuman which comes with a set number of presets you can mix and merge in certain fractions to create your avatars. Creating an avatar that resembled me or at least closely resonated with me looked like a great prospect. So after putting weeks into Metahuman, I got my first avatar, it had my hair, my facial features, and my sweatshirt.
Avatar Refinements
The feedback I got on the metahuman was pretty mixed, it didn't look fine, it was in the uncanny valley.
I felt like that was an opportunity but integrating this anywhere proved much more difficult and here I learned the importance of not getting attached.
Introducing Roshni: Made with the help of iClone. I modelled her with hair and a smile like mine and gave her baggy comfy clothes with a touch of traditional attire.
Physical exploration
The physical prototypes explored the hologram technology. I prototyped the hologram over 5 weeks scaling it up every time. I tested how different ways could be used to project onto the holographic display to create a real 3D look. I tried projection mapping, and prisms of different angles and then settled on using a huge display screen essentially scaling up my smaller prototypes.