Credited: University Relations
The NHA Whaling Museum features the highest-quality exhibits and galleries as well as daily programs and tours that bring to life the history of the magical island. The museum is home to a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a restored 1847 oil and candle factory, and countless Nantucket artifacts and treasures. A relaxing, fully-accessible rooftop observation deck offers stunning views of Nantucket Harbor and soon to come, there will be an immersive experience created by graphic design students and faculty in the Michael Graves College depicting the harbor as it was in the early 20th century.
Nantucket Harbor 360 VR Experience
Lead Student Researcher: Jordie Inoa
Student Researchers: John Ho, Amy Bellows
Faculty Directors: Henry Stankiewicz, Ed Johnston, and Sahil Patel
Time Traveller’s Logo: Dawn Marie McDermid
My Role:
My role as researcher was sourcing 3D models, accurately placing the models, and sourcing textures
Tools:
Cinema 4D
Redshift
Unreal Engine
Quixel Bridge
Teamviewer
Design Challenge :
How might we digitally reconstruct the historic harbor from the early 1900s using virtual reality (VR) technologies and make the experience easily accessible to museumgoers on the Roof walk?
Design Solution :
On the Nantucket museum roof walk we created a novel experience that enables a visitor to walk up to a stationary binocular stand, look into the binoculars, and be perceptually transported into an immersive visualization of the historic harbor circa 1900s. After peering into the experience, the visitor would step way from the binoculars and be able to compare the VR historic view.
PHASE ONE :
Historical Photos
Our team vigorously look directly at historical photos of the Nantucket Harbor which dates back to 1800s - early 1900s. Based off the locations from the old historical photos, we indicated exactly where each significant landmark should be placed within the composition.
PHASE TWO:
Learning 3D Software
Another challenge for the team was learning new software as well as meeting client expectations. Our team leveraged Cinema4D, Redshift, and Unreal Engine to collaborate, create, and design for the Nantucket Harbor Project.
1st Nantucket Harbor VR Experience Render
PHASE THREE:
Placement of 3D models
Part of my role was collecting all 3D assets to be implemented into the new scene. This required me to turn the Photoshop textures into a Redshift Model, which compressed the texture an creating an easier render time for VR experience.
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Default view from NHA Museum
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Location of cat boats
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Placement of grass in backyard and landscape
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Ship cargo / people on dock
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Placement of trees
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Crates, barrels, and axes were place into the scene to enhance the enviroment
PHASE FOUR:
Digital Collaboration
A problem we faced with this project was remaining on schedule with our deliverables. This required full transparency from all members of the team which lead to true collaboration. During this period, our team established a Discord channel for communication and leveraged Google Drive to share our files seamlessly.
PHASE FIVE:
Simplifying 3D models and textures
The last stage was to simplify all the textures placed on the 3D models to minimize render time.
CLOSING THE LOOP:
Visiting Nantucket Island
Because of all our creative involvement in Nantucket Historical Association we earned a trip to visit Nantucket Island. During the trip, we had the opportunity to visit Nantucket's Whaling Museum, which houses 360 View point on the top, visited timeless properties, and witness our class projects in action in a real setting.
Kean Students / Faculty @VineyardHavenHarborAnchorage
Buildings @NantucketIsland
Light House @NantucketIsland
Group picture at Mill @NantucketIsland
Skeleton of 46 foot whale @NantucketWhalingMusueum
Group Picture @NantucketWhalingMuseum
Sailors Valentines for loved ones
The Mercantile @NantucketWhalingMuseum