[Archive] Wise2122 - Seminars, Workshops and Lectures

• Provide a broad overview of the foundational theories, concepts and technologies involved in virtual reality.
• Per week: 1 x 90min lecture + 1 x 90min tutorial
• Evaluation: Exam. Depending on numbers, written or oral.

Topics covered: Definitions of immersive media and related concepts, active and spatial perception, head-tracked displays, 3D tracking, audio perception and spatial rendering, embodiment, social presence, locomotion and navigation in virtual worlds, measuring immersion, software and application design for real-time VR.

© ixlab@TUD

In this workshop, we examine the numerous technical, design and interaction challenges faced when creating immersive applications and systems in real-world contexts. We will work closely with experts, practitioners or researchers in different domains who face a task or problem that might be solved or improved through the use of immersive media technologies, and develop prototype applications. This might be in fields as diverse as archaeology, architecture, data visualisation, geospatial science, physiotherapy or psychotherapy, museums and libraries, music and film production, journalism or education and training.

Winter Semester 2021-22 theme:

HYBRID SPACES

Learning and working in virtual/real and present/remote hybrid spaces using immersive media technologies. 

The rapid transition to online working and learning in response to the coronavirus pandemic revealed both disadvantages and advantages to online workplaces and classrooms. So when the pandemic subsides, it is natural to ask if we can keep the best of both worlds; the increased flexibility and mobility of online communication, and the natural efficiency, social benefit and pleasure of physical presence. We anticipate, therefore, a rise in hybrid forms of collaboration, in which we learn and work with others simultaneously in presence and online in seamlessly blended virtual/real spaces. 

In this Komplexpraktikum we explore the challenges and opportunities of hybrid learning and work spaces. Using immersive media technologies - VR, AR, projections, 360° cameras and microphones, multi-user simulations and "digital twins" - we will transform the IXLAB studio into an experimental hybrid collaboration space. We begin with a study of different teaching and work environments, understanding the forms of communication, interaction and collaboration that take place and ask how they might best be transferred to hybrid scenarios. We pay attention to ease of communication, "social presence" and the challenge of providing a equal experience to both present and remote participants.

After an initial review of the state-of-the-art, students will work alone or in small teams to rapidly design, develop and test different hybrid prototypes for a small selection of collaborative working and learning tasks.

Hybrid Spaces is a collaboration between the Chair of Media Design and the TU Dresden IXLAB (Jun. Prof of Immersive Media Design).  

Prerequisites 

Good knowledge of computer graphics. Familiarity with some form of visual computing platform is helpful (e.g. Unity, Unreal, WebGL, Cinder, Openframeworks...) 

Format and Schedule 

Weekly meetings,  alternating between onsite and online.  

Assessment 

Presentation, project and report. 

Location

IXLAB Studio, room E0046, Anderas Pfitzmann Bau

© ixlab@TUD

The Komplexpraktikum "Creative Immersive Media" is devoted to exploring the artistic possibilities of immersive media. Each semester we focus on different themes, media or modalities. 

This semester we will focus on music and sound.

We explore the transformation of music and sound into immersive worlds, structures or ecosystems for exploration in multi-user virtual reality. We will examine the use of generative and procedural systems and how, when coupled with musical instruments, sounds and the voice, they might be used as interfaces for sculpting virtual worlds. We will study how improvisation and composition might unfold simultaneously in sonic, visual or audiovisual domains. We will study concepts related to emergence, complexity and real-time systems, as well as cross-sensory perception and binding and ideas of musical, spatial and amodal perception and cognition. 

Prequisites

Good knowledge of the foundations of 3D graphics and object-oriented programming.
A keen interest in music, sound recording or sound design.

This seminar has two components. The first is an introduction to academic research methodologies and tools, such as search strategies and tools, managing a bibliography, academic writing styles, ciations and avoiding plagiarism. In short, you will learn how to find, read, analyse and write academic texts.

The second is to provide an introduction to current research frontiers and results in the field of immersive media technologies. This includes such topics as perceptual factors, real-time rendering and simulation, embodied virtual agents, virtual world building, 3D user interfaces and emerging applications, such as psychiatry, education and journalism. We will do this by analysing recent academic publications.

This seminar is tailored for students intending to write a bachelor or master thesis in the field of immersive media. However, it can also be taken by students, not in this category.
Students will be given the opportunity to select and refine a thesis topic, familiarise themselves with the relevant technologies, and then prepare extensively the theoretical and technical components of the thesis.

Seminar structure:

• Weekly meetings
• Student presentation, student-led discussions and close readings of research papers
• Student-led "reading group"

Tasks and assesment:

• Write literature review paper on a specific research topic.
• Class presentation.

IXLAB is offering a range of individual and group Research Projects in the field of immersive media. Topics include theoretical and perceptual factors, technical challenges, design and interaction issues and novel applications of different manifestations of virtual and augmented reality. Application fields include archaeology, architecture, data visualisation, geospatial science, physiotherapy or psychotherapy, museums and libraries, music and film production, journalism or education and training.

Projects are available for all levels: Bachelor and Master Theses, Gross Beleg and individual and team research projects INF-PM-FPA, INF-PM-FPG, CMS-PROJ, CMS-VC-TEA

See here for example Research Projects

TUESDAY 12th OCTOBER 17H
Thesis/Project Information Session
For all students interested in a thesis or research project with IXLAB.
Zoom: https://tu-dresden.zoom.us/j/85214466431?pwd=MVB0R3VaNEptL0tVenBmamx1ckZIQT09

If you would like to discuss a project, please arrange a meeting by email to matthew.mcginity@tu-dresden.de