Emerging tech – Research

So now is the time to decide my final project. So I kind of have one option:

I don’t have access to a VR headset, I dislike unity, I don’t want to use FrameVR for ethical reasons, so 3d Blender video!

I did have an idea for basis of this.

I have wanted to explore more how games can help with connection, empathy or understanding as they are such an interactive medium. (4)

I also to think about my own experiences with mental health – I spent most nights and afternoons October 2024-Janurary 2025 in mental health places, which heavily contributed to the extensions (oops)

I had an idea about making a 3d video that can help people calm down when in crisis.
In my experience its very helpful to have someone there helping you but that isn’t always possible, so hopefully this could be used as a close equivlent.

So in that case this video needs to cover several areas:
* Structure
* Grounding techniques
* Calming atmosphere
(5)

Structure

So I first had to decide how to structure it, what exercises to include and what order, and what was possible in the time frame and resources I had.

I admit I was doing this quite late because of a whole host of issues; multiple things outside of my controll. But I am decently expreienced in Krita and blender.

I also chose to concentrate on good coping skills for neurodivergent people as I am neurodivergent, autistic, myself.

I did research but there isn’t a specific ‘best structure’ for helping people calm down. (5)

But I decided on this structure:

Grounding techniques/breakdown of structure:

Distract, the best way is to focus on something strong like a stinky smell, strange texture or bright coloured items.

Breathe, make sure they are breathing right, and controll their nerves.

Encourage breaking down of problems and looking into imidiate solutions and easy tasks.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere needed to be calming and pleasant. I also wanted to be inclusive as possible.
So this means:
* clear to understand
* Not Over stimulating
* not alarming

Clear to understand would mean high contrast visuals, (3) and good audio instructions.

Not over stimulating means to avoid bright colours

Not alarming means nothing sudden.

I looked into what colours would be best and it would seem green and blue, but not too bright. (2)

So I came up with this colour scheme. When it came to settinsg I decided to use Nature as thats very calming for most people.

I designed some vibe based concept art.

I decided to do my frog, as a call back, from the VR art as the narrator/ helper. and also she’s green which matches the colour scheme.

She will bounce in time ot breathing exercises and help talk the viewer through things.

Video pacing

I decided to further break down the video:

0:00-0:10: Intro
0:10 – 1:40: Sensory exercises/Grounding
1:40 – 2:40: Breathing exercise
2:40 – 4:10: Breakdown of Solutions
4:10 – 4:30: Outro.

This should give good time for each section but not be too long or difficult. and gives an adequat ammount of deep breathes using the 4-7-8 method (1)

Sources

1 Gotter, A. and Byrd, C. (2018) What Is the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique? Healthline. Available online: https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing.

2 Pangin, I.S. (2015) 7 relaxing colors and how they affect your mood! The Times of India. Available online: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/7-relaxing-colors-and-how-they-affect-your-mood/articleshow/46946305.cms.

3 Rank, S. (2024) Accessible Colors: A Complete Guide for Web Design. AudioEye. Available online: https://www.audioeye.com/post/accessible-colors/ [Accessed 9 May 2025].

4 Reeves, B. (2023) How Video Games Can Help People Become More Empathetic and Live Better Lives. www.templetonworldcharity.org. Available online: https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/blog/how-video-games-can-help-people-become-more-empathetic-and-live-better-lives [Accessed 9 May 2025].

5 Terry, C. (2023) Authentic Connections Counseling LLC. Authentic Connections Counseling LLC. Available online: https://www.accounselingllc.com/blog/coping-skills-for-neurodivergence [Accessed 9 May 2025].