Producer & EXPERIENCE DESIGNER With Superbright

Five Bodies in Virtual Space

Celestial Bodies is an immersive room scale VR installation that brings Diplo’s track “Set It Off” to a new dimension. On view from October 2nd to December 30th, this virtual reality experience is an exploration of anticipation, sexual attraction, identity, presence, touch, scale, comfort, daring and spatial awareness – around a shared infinite pole dance in space.

UX DESIGN

How to Begin

Performance became a very important component to the Celestial Bodies experience.  The Museum of Sex hired dancers and actors to help onboard the participants and we were faced with the challenge of finding a balance between sensuality and efficiency.  Performers had to fit users with a complicated VR backpack while keeping a cool, sexy composure.  We developed a simple script to help ease users into the "loading bays" where they stood pinned to the wall as dancers tightened straps, stroked their arms, and led them carefully into the experience. 

Design

Leather

I worked closely with Zana Bayne Leather to design and test the leather harness to carry the MSI One VR backpack and tracking gloves used by exhibition visitors. It was important to the Museum of Sex that visitors could be strapped in in under a minute, so multiple iterations of the buckles were designed. 

USER TESTING

Testing Testing…Testing & More Testing

User testing became a vital step in launching the Celestial Bodies exhibition.  The multi-user experience required four people to test the main experience, and an additional person to represent the dancer figure who appears half way through the experience. Identifying and solving inconsistencies with mapped objects, Optitrak system, and user on-boarding were the focus of testing.  

I developed a maintenance manual for all technical components including a control panel guide, charging schedules, start-up and shut-down routines, troubleshooting, and equipment handling.  I then worked with performers to train them in the process of putting users through the experience.