The Process
The style of the animation works as a tool so the user can experience an abstracted sense of texture. An element of SPD centers around the tactile senses. Since the project format is limited to digitally simulated sensory experiences, the tactile sense needs a creative implementation. This manifested into a textural visual style. All custom 3D textures originated from a collection of textural photography.
Sensory Processing Disorder
'SPD: Seeing Through Empathy' focuses on education about Sensory Processing Disorder. The original in-person installation included a VR portal to a virtual landscape and a stylized informational video. Data over the years has shown, SPD is very difficult to understand, and therefore, properly treat and accommodate. This historical misunderstanding commonly perpetuates incorrect treatments, late diagnosis, and social ostracism for the affected community. This being said, the most powerful tool for deep comprehension is empathy. Seeing what those with SPD see, hearing what they hear, and feeling part of what they feel, can be a powerfully humanistic approach to understanding.
The Empathy Portal
This case study showcases a stylized educational animation.
This animation presents many facets of Sensory Processing
Disorder including symptoms, variations and treatments.
The VR Experience
In the VR portal, users experience a taste of living with SPD. SPD is centralized around your sensory experiences, so the most successful education was one users could immerse themselves in.