Extended Reality: Applications and Implications

To review the concept of extended reality- let’s return back to the definition of reality itself. It is an accumulation of experiences, gathered physically and mentally over time. This means that extending reality is effectively altering or augmenting these experiences as they enter your consciousness, which is done by engaging with your senses. Most prominently in AR and VR, … [Read more...] about A Simplified Overview of Haptics

We use avatars all the time, even outside of our computer screens. The advent of playing roles to fit in and navigate other worlds is not exclusive to gaming, though that is where we hear the word “avatar” thrown around most. Once you enter a game of soccer, and are pitted against another team, you take on the role of a player from your own team. The rules of your world have … [Read more...] about Avatars and Our Perception of Self in Digital Worlds

One of the biggest contentions most critics have with Extended Reality is its lack of attention to accessibility. The fact of the matter is, it is not guaranteed that we can all use our senses to the same extent as everyone else around us; we will all therefore experience XR in different ways. Some are at an even bigger disadvantage due to issues in motor, visual, or auditory … [Read more...] about XR and Accessibility

From the 17th to 18th century, there was a big change in the art world of France. The lighting and chiaroscuro techniques carried over from influences of the Renaissance, and to an extent so did the subject matter. What really caused the paradigm shift was the way in which artists began using perspective. They transitioned from portraits to scenic depictions. The viewer became … [Read more...] about The Use of XR in Art

It is apparent through observing the evolution of social media and the internet as a whole that our presences are becoming increasingly digital. As my Immersive Media professor puts it, entering a virtual space is becoming synonymous with entering a physical space. Our digital selves and the virtual places we visit become a part of us. Suppose I play games online with my … [Read more...] about What is the “Metaverse” and Why Does It Matter?