Augmented Reality multi-user virtual spaces

ARS aimed to establish best practices, explore the use of digital skills and competences touching on research, experimentation and programmatic advancement of objectives. We aimed to structure a ...

ARS aimed to establish best practices, explore the use of digital skills and competences touching on research, experimentation and programmatic advancement of objectives. We aimed to structure a new teaching methodology using AR (Augmented Reality), also involving blended, hybrid and flipped modalities to be applicable in the web and the media job market. ARS goals have been therefore 1) to verify and further develop the domain of digitization to offer a training program truly aimed at developing specialized figures in the field of technologies to enter the job market 2) to use tools that expand some phases of the creative process by modifying the skills of the designer her/himself (AR) 3) to build a pedagogical approach that innovates didactical offer though the virtual classrooms, in harmony with the birth of new professional profiles, improving its competitiveness at international level 4) to fill the gap between Industry and educational training through the increasing of a pedagogical culture and mutual support 5) to allow best practices for training of people with disabilities activating a virtual process that changes the students attitude toward the digital tools.

Research ARS identified suitable technologies for virtual experiences and implemented the setup, with remote collaboration between Milan and Belgrade. Virtual set building Teachers and students from both institutions collaborated on designing and implementing a virtual set as part of their 3D modeling courses. Virtual set class experimentation All participants experimented with the same virtual set, facilitating feedback exchange. Industry professionals were invited to provide guidance and networking opportunities. Hybrid set building The virtual set up was implemented to include physical elements. Members of the industry were invited to participate. Hybrid set class experimentation Participants experimented the same hybrid set in a joint course involving students and faculty. The physical component was held in NABA, while the digital was taught from SAE. Communication and Dissemination The dissemination week occurred at NABA and featured masterclasses and workshops and a final roundtable with students, international guests, press and faculty members. Monitoring and Evaluation A monitoring observatory ensured project objectives were met, producing monthly reports and presenting results during the dissemination week.

The project allowed different classes of students to train in digital techniques relevant to the discipline. Specifically, students were able to work on Game Development (3 game levels developed) and Cinematics (4 cinematic trailers) during AY22/23. In the final phase of the project (AY23/24) students were able to test shoot digital environments for ICVFX, producing 17 different digital environments for 7 different physical sets. The results were edited in a single showcase video.