Wikar V1
The initial prototype for Wikar, an AR app I designed for viewing cloud-hosted media like artworks and design proposals. During an affiliation with the NCSA's Advanced Visualization Laboratory, I developed this first version to use NCSA's Clowder data repository for storing and distributing Unity asset bundles. The system uses QR codes for URL lookup and precise positioning, enabling multi-user, location-integrated experiences. The project, which received financial support from eDream and the Fiddler Foundation, has since been used by international artists, researchers, architects, and students.
Related Projects
WIKAR v14
A major update to Wikar for which I developed several key performance and feature improvements in preparation for new AR projects. These included: a multi-tiered caching system to enable offline mode for sculpture gardens; an iterative solver that uses a scan's confidence rating to progressively refine AR placement accuracy; and an optimized mesh slicer system for exploring 3D cross-sections of complex models.
Sloppy Joe
A prototype for a dungeon crawler set in the Rococo universe, created to test a unique ground-based movement mechanic. In this demo, I implemented a system where the player navigates on a rolling seat, bouncing off walls and turning in 90-degree increments. The project was also an experiment in pushing the Rococo aesthetic in a darker visual direction. The prototype can be played here.
Where's Home?
An experimental prototype that successfully translated the unshaded, minimalist aesthetic of Rococo into a more complex, architecturally descriptive style. The concept was a sequel to the People's Tree project set in an abstracted Union Station, Chicago. For the prototype, I developed a custom Rhinoceros plugin to optimize and export modular architectural elements, and created a system to randomly place around 100 unique characters and their luggage throughout the scene. While the core technical art was a success, the project was paused to allow for more design iteration on its complex dialogue system.
Erwin Wurm
An AR deployment of Erwin Wurm's sculptural works in new contexts using augmented reality. I worked with Studio Calas in an educational and technical capacity, training their team on how to prepare and optimize 3D models for the Wikar platform and its upload pipeline while they handled photogrammetry and content creation. At their request, I also made Wikar's QR code scanning more robust for outdoor environments and for use with different colored tags.