Inspiration

As we were graduating, we faced the pressure of a shifting social identity and the uncertainty of how to navigate our place in the world. However, in a culture so competitive, most of us were forced to push forward, driven by fear of falling behind others even without a clear direction or goal. Inspired by this, I collaborated with visual designer Ruei-Ting Shang and interaction designer Yu-Tung Wu to explore the topic of peer pressure as part of our capstone project. We designed an VR experience with spatial sound design where participants are immersed in the virtual space, being pressured to run along.

The work aims to evoke feelings of hesitation and uncertainty in viewers, as they witness others around them running relentlessly, seemingly heading nowhere, prompting them to decide whether to conform blindly.

Process

This work consists of three distinct parts. Visually, we collaborated to create 3D models, characters, and environments, shaping a unique virtual world. For procedural animation, we designed an endless map where participants' every movement directly influences their actions within the virtual space, simulating an ongoing journey through an ever-evolving landscape. In terms of sound design, we crafted background music that evolves from calm to intense, while adjusting footsteps and environmental sound effects based on the participants' movements to enhance the immersive experience. Additionally, interactive sound effects, such as sand dispersing when touched, further deepened the participants' engagement with the environment, enriching the overall experience.

Reflection

This piece participated in the Acquiring Your Signal exhibition at the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab. Over the course of 7 days, more than 800 people attended. We gathered valuable feedback, with many viewers resonating with the feeling of uncertainty, which triggered a primal instinct to follow the crowd blindly.