FINAL OUTCOMES Escaping to Goldsmiths Metaverse ESCAPE 2 VR walkthrough of the virtual world: Goldsmiths Metaverse. Escaping from FOMO at Goldsmiths Click Here: Navigation Video Goldsmiths Metaverse explores the connection between schoolmates that communicate with existing barriers, whether it is culture, language, or time. What’s “so Goldsmiths” These barriers challenge the means to connect. This depravity forces us to navigate each other and our perceptions in different ways, creating a univer- “I thought if I went to Goldsmiths I’d start sal way to explore the connection. drinking Glen’s vodka/cider/pints, watching In this piece, I have created avatars for my schoolmates using the collected rugby, start saying ‘bloody’, reading the Dai- pictures. This environment can be a tool used to mediate and strike conver- ly Mail, buying vinyl records and clothes in sations, where you don’t have to fear of being missed out but at the same charity shops, and getting involved with some time give you personal space. radical political subjects to defend my nation or identity, “ Whether to say Goldsmiths Metaverse is an escapism, I prefer to think of but the truth is-- soon I figured out that I it as an experience. It isn’t necessary replace real-life experience, but do wasn’t cool enough for the atmosphere there. things that you normally can’t do. I don’t want to spark any political discussion, True Goldsmiths’ insiders would recognize several Goldsmiths’ memes, fun- and I’m just trying to find a comfy spot for me ny encounters, and famous news that I embedded in the virtual space. to stand. Full Project Available at https://artemisweng.wixsite.com/arte/gold- Sometimes I feel like there is an invisible smithsmetaverse societal convention here, and I actually feel quite threatened when seeing people put so much effort into what they wear, or even look “Goldsmiths” when just wearing a sweater. I always feel odd, underdressed and a little out- of-place, like I never truly belong to a certain genre of fits. I’ve seen lots of creative types with some pretty outlandish wardrobes at the campus, and it really gives me a lot of a Speculative Game Interface leftist, hipster-ish, artsy (art-school-kids) vibe here. Looking closely into the stylistic deci- Speculative game interface for Goldsmiths Metaverse. sions of people here at goldsmiths, a place where the subculture becomes the main cul- The idea of this creative work came from personal experience as I ture, I aim to connect the similarities and find first arrived at Goldsmiths feeling like an outsider. At virtual Gold- what they represent. smiths, introverts such as myself roam freely and fit into the crowd. Using Unity, I designed a potential game interface using Figma and Metahuman by Unreal Engine with identity options for gender and This serves as the general “freshman des- appearance. The notion of fitting in and inclusivity holds dearly to me. perately trying to discover fashion” starter pack: aiming to find the most Goldsmiths’ outfit, and have a little escape from being judged about not being Goldsmiths enough, by adapting people’s outfits here and hiding in PROCESS the crowds.
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