MONTREUX VR APPLICATION
CONCEPT INTERACTION DESIGN UX CONTENT PRODUCTION
THE PROJECT
This virtual reality application was developed as part of “Nina”, a mobile project promoting the archive of the Montreux Jazz Festival around the world. The aim of the application is to contextualize the festival, it’s history and the unique Montreux environment to visitors of the installation. The creative concept was to use the metaphor of public binoculars that are often used to showcase a panorama. This digital version gives the user a view of the spectacular Montreux Riviera landscape from the point of view of a boat on the lake. They can look over the landscape and can discover 8 interactive stories that have made the city famous with original material from the Montreux Jazz Festival photographic archive.
MY ROLE
The creative and interactive concept of the application was developed with Allison Crank. In the production phase, Allison created the panorama scene, the first images below. I was involved in the production of stories related to Montreux. The project required a long analysis or existing cases and UX in virtual reality.
UX IN THE VR APPLICATION
Referencing other commonly used interaction languages for VR, we created a navigation system for novice users in the public space. We proposed to have a constantly present dot cursor, which moves in relation to the head of the user wearing the Oculus Rift. As well as aiding with orientation, this cursor allows interaction with icons. Hovering over the “+” signs in the panorama and waiting for a circle to load reveals the stories view, doing the same things with an “x” icon allows the user to return to the panorama.
In the installation, a physical information map is printed next to the VR headset to show the user the areas to be discovered.
STORY UX PRINCIPLES
To create a simple and direct user experience, the eight stories use the same visual language. A frame of reference is placed in front of the user which shows a series of captioned photographs that create a story. To simplify the interaction in VR space that many do not know, we have opted for an automatic advancement of the images, signaled with a loading bar. The title of the story is always present so that the user always has a reference to the chosen theme.
8 INTERACTIVE STORIES
The stories were proposed directly by members of the Montreux Jazz Festival in order to give real value and impact for the user. They cover several fundamental themes including the past, the figure of Claud Nobs, the founder and the Montreux Riviera as it was and as it is today. There are also the posters signed every year by famous artists including Andy Warhol and Keith Haring and a selection of musicians who have played at the festival over several decades. It is essential to transmit this content to people who do not know the Montreux Jazz Festival during the presentation of the installation in other locations. With these short visual stories, the user will be able to understand the impact and importance of one of the most special festivals in the world.
CREDITS
Work developed at EPFL+ECAL Lab : Creative direction Allison Crank, Tommaso Colombo | CGI Montreux Panorama Allison Crank | Historical anecdotes CGI Tommaso Colombo | Lead Engineer Delphine Ribes | Engineer Yves Kalberer
Pictures : © EPFL+ECAL Lab, cover picture © Daniela & Tonatiuh