Description
Design and prototype one of:
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Space for primates
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Space for collaboration
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Space for mental well-being
Create proof of concept for an immersive
VR world out of a specific theme.
See: Intro to world building in Unity
Try: Create design artifacts for your idea in Figma.
Create: the space in Unity.
Share: With the group on Discord or office hours
Reflect: What did you learn? How can you improve?
Flow-State:
The Mindful VR Journey
Flow-State is a relaxing VR experience blending nature exploration and mindfulness techniques. Users engage with calming landscapes—forests, beaches, or underwater—while practicing breathing exercises, guided meditation and enjoying dynamic soundscapes.
Features
Seamless exploration:
Smooth transitions between walking, flying, or swimming, fostering relaxation and emotional well-being.
ASMR sounds:
Interactive objects and environments (e.g. fire, water, forest) emit soothing sounds for deeper immersion.
Mindfulness tools:
Guided meditation and focus timers enhance focus and reduce stress.
Mode switching:
Transition between environments using eye-closure effects, keeping the experience fluid.
User Journey
1. Start:
Begin in a minimalist space with ambient sounds. Approaching objects transports users to new environments.
2. Explore:
Users walk, fly, or swim through tranquil settings, interacting with objects that emit calming sounds.
3. Mode switching:
Users can switch between walking, flying, or swimming, with a focus mode for distraction-free meditation.
4. End:
The experience ends with a gentle AI voice guiding the user back to reality.
*Generated with AI
Learnings
Sound integration:
Improved synchronization of ASMR sounds for better immersion.
World building:
Gained experience in using Unity for world creation and Figma for design artifacts.
Areas for improvement:
*Generated with AI
Optimize movement & interaction
Implement all movement modes (flying, swimming, diving, teleportation) with clear teleportation indicators and enhanced interactivity for a more engaging experience.
Smoother transitions between modes
Ensure seamless shifts between modes with blended animations and feedback (haptic/audio) for a more natural feel.
Intuitive UI for environment and sound
A simplified UI with easy-to-use controls for environment and sound settings, offering context-sensitive options based on the game mode.
Conclusion
Flow-State could combine VR, nature experiences and mindfulness to provide a peaceful escape for stress relief and mental well-being. Although the concept has this potential, the first prototype is just a preview of what it could become and serves as a starting point for further features.
Scientific Basis
- Nature immersion: virtual nature environments help lower cortisol levels, reduce stress and improve mood (Kahn et al., 2020).
- Out-of-Body Exploration & Awe Therapy: The sensation of effortless movement in VR induces feelings of awe and relaxation, which have been shown to reduce anxiety and enhance creativity (Gaggioli et al., 2021).
- Mindfulness Practices: Breathing exercises and guided meditation improve emotional regulation and focus, as seen in VR-based mindfulness training studies (Navarro-Haro et al., 2019).
- Multi-Sensory Engagement: Research suggests that sound design and haptic feedback increase immersion and enhance presence in virtual environments (Kahn et al., 2020).
Sources:
- Gaggioli, A. et al. (2021). The Role of Virtual Reality in Inducing Awe and Reducing Stress. *Frontiers in Psychology*. link
- Kahn, P. H., et al. (2020). The Impact of Virtual Nature on Psychological Well-Being. *Journal of Environmental Psychology*. link
- Navarro-Haro, M. V., et al. (2019). Mindfulness Training in Virtual Reality: Effects on Attention and Cortisol Levels. *Frontiers in Human Neuroscience*. link
03: Digital Twin
VR: AeroLink v2.0 for Drone Monitoring