RIT VR Experience – Chad Cooper Creative

THE RIT VIRTUAL REALITY ARENAS EXPERIENCE

The RIT Virtual Reality Arenas Experience puts the Rochester Institute of Technology(RIT) on the forefront of the virtual reality experience. The experience is building upon the rich creative and technological history of RIT to bring the ultimate fan experience. The project offers two unique experiences for fans. Fans can live in the moments up to the puck being dropped in a 360 video, or they can be immersed in a new, exciting world entirely made in 3D. Both experiences offer fans an opportunity that they can’t find anywhere else. The purpose of this project is to bring added value to a fan’s game day experience by offering an opportunity that they won’t find at another venue.

BACKGROUND

RIT Student Auxillary Services hired me to produce a fan game day experience for the Gene Polisseni Center(GPC), the campus hockey arena. The main requirements were that we had to create something using VR technology, the experience needed to be around 2 minutes to prevent an congestion in the concourse, there needed to be a kiosk and the kiosk had to in a specific part of the arena but movabilty would be a nice option to have.

An exterior photo I took of the GPC:

BACKGROUND

RIT Student Auxillary Services hired me to produce a fan game day experience for the Gene Polisseni Center(GPC), the campus hockey arena. The main requirements were that we had to create something using VR technology, the experience needed to be around 2 minutes to prevent an congestion in the concourse, there needed to be a kiosk and the kiosk had to in a specific part of the arena but movabilty would be a nice option to have.

BACKGROUND

RIT Student Auxillary Services hired me to produce a fan game day experience for the Gene Polisseni Center(GPC), the campus hockey arena. The main requirements were that we had to create something using VR technology, the experience needed to be around 2 minutes to prevent an congestion in the concourse, there needed to be a kiosk and the kiosk had to in a specific part of the arena but movabilty would be a nice option to have.

GETTING STARTED

At the start of this project there were several meetings between my supervisor, the Arenas staff and myself. We had to consider the Arenas staff's concerns on the project as the project started moving forward. The biggest point that came out of the meeting was that we had to rethink our strategy for how the project would be installed.

Initially, we were planning on installing vinyl graphic on the Arena's walls where the kiosk was but we found out that Arenas team wanted to keep the wall clean.

Photos of the proposed location:

GETTING STARTED

At the start of this project there were several meetings between my supervisor, the Arenas staff and myself. We had to consider the Arenas staff's concerns on the project as the project started moving forward. The biggest point that came out of the meeting was that we had to rethink our strategy for how the project would be installed.

Initially, we were planning on installing vinyl graphic on the Arena's walls where the kiosk was but we found out that Arenas team wanted to keep the wall clean.

GETTING STARTED

At the start of this project there were several meetings between my supervisor, the Arenas staff and myself. We had to consider the Arenas staff's concerns on the project as the project started moving forward. The biggest point that came out of the meeting was that we had to rethink our strategy for how the project would be installed.

Initially, we were planning on installing vinyl graphic on the Arena's walls where the kiosk was but we found out that Arenas team wanted to keep the wall clean.

Photos of the proposed location:

Maker:L,Date:2017-9-23,Ver:5,Lens:Kan03,Act:Kan02,E-Y

KIOSK DESIGN

The design of the kiosk could begin after taking measurements of the location and considering the concerns of the Arenas staff.

The kiosk had to be unique and fit the brand of RIT Athletics. We wanted to make an impact in the concourse of the Arena with something that couldn't be missed. I created a completely custom kiosk that was made by a local vendor in Rochester. The kiosk was built out of cardboard, featuring three graphics and a built-in TV. The table was made out of a durable material with the letters 'VR' as the base. The table is used for the staff to set the VR headsets on and stand near while running the kiosk.

COMPLETED KIOSK

The project launched on October 6th, 2018 at the RIT Men's Hockey home opener game. Approximately 100 fans tried out the kiosk on our first night. Fans were genuinely impressed with experience. Fans also recieved stickers for participating in the experience.

Fans watch the project on Oculus Go headsets.

3D STYLEFRAMES

The project has two separate experiences for fans. One is a 3D experience created with Maya and After Effects, and the second is a 360 video experience shot with a Samsung Gear 360 camera.

The 3D experience takes fans through five diffent scenes from the perspective of a hockey player.

Designed in Maya, After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator.

360 EXPERIENCE

The 360 portion of the project is a behind-the-scenes video for fans to see the players prior to the puck drop. The 360 video includes a timelapse of the ice being made and painted, and an interview with the Arenas manager in charge of ice building.

Built using After Effects, Samsung Gear 360, and an external mic.

THE BRAND

The RIT Virtual Reality Experience had to look and feel like the branding of our sports teams and also feel like it was meant for hockey. In order to make the logo, I researched NHL All-Stars logos and supporting branding.

SUPPORTING VIDEO

In order to promote the project, this video was made to play throughout the Arena's television screens and jumbotron. A similar version is also used on social media and at the TV built into the kiosk.

IN THE NEWS

Behind The Bricks Article

RIT Athletics