Introduction

The project began with a mission to redefine consumer interactions in the fashion industry by combining immersive 3D environments with storytelling and sustainability. Guided by the thesis, the objective was to challenge luxury corporations by creating meaningful, interactive experiences. With the help of two jewellery designers I aimed to develop an immersive 3d experience that encapsulates their vision and give proper representation to their creations. The project utilised Unreal Engine, Clo3D, and extensive research into artisan practices, culture, and digital storytelling.

Phase 1: Conceptualisation and Vision

Timeline: August 2023

The research process started and looked into the problems concerning the declining quality associated with luxury conglomerates. Henri Lefebvre’s "Production of Space" was a central influence, shaping the understanding of how spaces—both physical and digital—affect human behaviour and can sustain or dismantle oppressive structures within a capitalistic system.

In my personal reading, I came across a passage in The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow, which described how tribes from the Western Pacific would travel great distances to exchange armbands and jewellery crafted from the natural resources of their homeland. This account highlighted the deep connection and pride that can be found in utilising local materials. It also underscored for me how fostering this sense of appreciation is best achieved through supporting local and independent designers who prioritise ethical craftsmanship as the cornerstone of their work.

Emissaries Guide to Worlding influenced my approach to creating a complex narrative experience by emphasising the importance of crafting environments that are both visually compelling and narratively meaningful. The book's insights into "worlding" inspired me to design each level as a self-contained story while contributing to a cohesive whole, using landscapes, artefacts, and transitions. I envisioned that the environments themselves act as silent narrators, subtly communicating themes of discovery, reflection, and interconnectedness without relying solely on explicit dialogue or text. It also encouraged me to focus on immersive interactivity, ensuring that elements like light, colour, and spatial design naturally guide the player.

These explorations gave rise to critical questions: How could 3D environments serve as a bridge between artisans and consumers? Could these spaces reshape purchasing behaviours to favour ethical goods? These questions formed the project’s objectives around crafting virtual spaces where users could engage with independent designers’ creative processes and how these designs would be part of a broader environment which tells the origin story of their creation. The focus would be on replacing passive consumerist commerce with an interactive journey along with storytelling. After deciding on the concept, the tools in which this environment was to be constructed were carefully chosen —Unreal Engine for crafting immersive environments, Clo3D for creating digital garments and experimented with Blender and Cinema4D to create the jewellery. Early drafts of the project treatment captured these aspirations, outlining not only the creative elements but also the ethical implications of the work.

Further Readings that informed my practice

Phase 2: Collaboration and Planning

Timeline: August - September 2023

This phase was devoted to researching contacting and building relationships with collaborators and developing the initial structure of the project in the forms of visual cues, along with layout and garment visualisation and jewellery selection. Selecting the right collaborators was the first pivotal step. The criteria for this selection was a strong visual and conceptual portfolio, a connection to cultural heritage or nature, and an openness to innovative approaches.

Outreach efforts included sharing project treatments, mood boards, and conceptual videos with potential collaborators to align visions and establish mutual trust. The designers were scouted through UAL showcase page and after researching their social media, the selected few were contacted on Instagram with a short description of the project and a link to the Treatment.