[Archive] SoSe22 - Seminars, Workshops and Lectures

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Theme: Hybrid Spaces and Augmented Architecture

Augmented reality enables the merging, embedding and overlaying of physical and virtual spaces and structures in unprecedented ways. What are the possibilities of such hybrid spaces? What kinds of existing spaces and structures lend themselves to virtual augmentation, and in what ways? How can we approach the design of such spaces, both in the physical and virtual domains? What are the potential applications, and the social and architectural implications?

Using the state-of-the-art in multi-user building-scale augmented reality, students will develop prototypes and experiments to explore these questions. We will select a suitable location in Dresden for the project, and the results of the workshop will form the basis of an exhibition to be presented publicly as part of the TU im Dialog project "Wissen Schafft Raum".

Bringing together students and professors from informatik, architecture and design, visual arts and art theory, this cross-faculty workshop provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Prerequisites
Good foundational knowledge of computer graphics and object-oriented programming. Proficiency with Unity and C#, or 3D modelling (e.g. Maya or Blender) is very helpful.

Supervisors / Guidance
Jun. Prof. Matthew McGinity, Immersive Experience Lab, Informatik, TU Dresden
Prof Henning Haupt, Ludwig Geßner, Faculty of Architecture, TU Dresden
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schankweiler, Kunstgeschichte TU Dresden
HfBK Dresden

Information Session
To learn more, join our public information session on Friday 1st April at 11am here: https://tu-dresden.zoom.us/j/83441004093?pwd=bEpZaWx1VXVDQ1VLQ0hGY20rbldVUT09

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A studio/workshop led by Jun. Prof. Theda Nilsson with theatre and set design students from Dresden Academy of Fine Arts (HfBK). 

Theme: Gesamtkunstwerk  

Gesamtkunstwerk can be understood as a "total" work of art in which different artistic forms, media and processes are synthesised into a single cohesive whole. The idea was famously popularized by the composer Richard Wagner, who argued for the "consummate artwork of the future," where "no one rich faculty of the separate arts will remain unused in the Gesamtkunstwerk of the Future".

In summer semester 2022, Jun. Prof Theda Nilsson invites students of TU Dresden Informatik to join with students of the HfBK to explore the full width of the notion of the Gesamtkunstwerk, with particular a focus on collective and collaborative processes. How might Gesamtkunstwerk emerge from collective processes, and can the format be used to reinforce egalitarian and democratic aspects in the creation of theatrical work? 

The workshop will explore the use of interactive and immersive computing in a theatrical production. You will collaborate with theatre, art and set design students from Dresden Academy of Fine Arts (HfBK) in the design and production of a theatrical work. The final work will be presented publicly at the end of semester. This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with students of another discipline in the production of a creative project.

More information at https://ixlab.io/gesamtkunstwerk and in the Matrix room #Gesamtkunstwerk:tu-dresden.de (https://matrix.tu-dresden.de/#/room/#Gesamtkunstwerk:tu-dresden.de)

© DIMA SIDELNIKOV/GETTY IMAGES + ixlab@TUD

The Komplexpraktikum "Immersive Experience Design" is devoted to exploring the applied use cases of immersive media. Each semester we focus on different themes. 

This semester, we will focus on exergames.

Exergames, refer to the use of exertion as an interaction modality in video games. Exergames challenge the idea that video games should be associated with sedentary lifestyles by promoting active physical interaction and dynamic movements. Some popular examples include Beat Saber and The Thrill of the Fight. 

In this KP, we will explore how the paradigms in exergames can be utilised to create immersive social experiences. We will focus on the aspect of telegaming in exergames as social bonding is an essential characteristic in most traditional physical sports. The recent pandemic and the subsequent protective measures such as the lockdown has reinforced this fact. 

Students will be given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the theory and gain practical experience with the state of the art in Immersive Media technologies. Participants of the KP will work in small groups (or individually) over the course of a semester towards a final project that will be presented to the chair. We will meet regularly (every week), for in-depth group discussions. The KP is mostly hands-on and will have an even mix of theoretical work (background research), ideation (prototyping and mockups) and practical work (software development). 

Prequisites

Good knowledge of computer graphics/programming. Proficiency with some real-time engines (e.g. Unity, Unreal) is desired. 

Keen interest in movement-based practices/sports will be very helpful. 

© LFKs

An intensive hands-on two-week workshop held at the end of September. Students will work together to develop immersive media productions using the state-of-the-art in VR and AR technologies.

Theme for 2022: to be decided

This seminar has three 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. Students will perform their own literature review on a topic of their choice and present their results to their fellow students in class.

The third component is a discussion of some philosophical, historical, ethical, social and political implications of media technologies, and computing technology in general. We will discuss selected writings and films from such authors as John Searle, Nic Bostrom, Stanislav Lem, Norbert Wiener, Jaron Lanier, Hubert Dreyfus, E.M. Forster and more.

This seminar is well suited 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.

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As virtual and augmented reality become more accessible, the use of such technologies for the immersive 3D visualisation and manipulation of data and structures has become increasing viable. What are the benefits and challenges of visualising and manipulating abstract, virtual or remote datasets in an immersive manner?

In this seminar, participants will study and evaluate existing applications and algorithms in the field of immersive modeling and visualization. Students will examine the kinds of applications and datasets that may benefit from immersive visualisation, and study the technical challenges and solutions involved in building such applications. This includes immersive mesh processing and modelling, point cloud visualisation, labelling, segmentation and manipulation, graph and trajectory data visualisation, voxel and volumetric video visualisation, environmental and geospatial visualisation.

The seminar combines both theory and hands-on practical experience using virtual reality. Students will research and review relevant academic texts, and then, using headsets such as the Oculus Quest, Varjo XR-3, Valve Index and Hololens, systematically evaluate available commercial and open-source visualisation solutions. A final presentation, as well as a technical report, is expected as outcome by the end of the semester.  

Medieninformatik-Projekt B-490 is a compulsory course for students in the fourth and fifth semesters of the Medieninformatik Bachelor program. Students work in small teams on practical projects and creative productions.

© Ingmar Franke

This course is organised jointly by several chairs. Each chair will issue its own assignment. The Junior Professorship for Immersive Media (IXLAB.io) will take on the conception and implementation of scenarios that address the topic of "Hybrid Spaces in Teaching". For this purpose, the participants of the course should or could use an existing installation "Projection Mapping". The participants' own work will focus on research, design conception and software-technical implementation of a solution using Unity or Unreal. 
If you want to join in, then go to matrix room: 
https://matrix.to/#/#IX_SS22_Medieninformatik-Project-B-490:tu-dresden.de

Also look for the following course under: https://bildungsportal.sachsen.de › opal , there: Medieninformatik-Projekt (INF-B-490) 2022/2023 

One idea is that this topic is carried out as part of a block event during the semester break (summer). Further details will be discussed with all participants together with the supervisors.

© Ingmar Franke

The course is organized jointly by chairs of the Institute SMT:

 + Junior Professorship for Immersive Media (IXLAB.io)
 + Professorship Computer Graphics and Visualization
 + Professorship Multimedia Technology

The topics for SS 2022 will be presented on Friday, 22 April 2022 in a cross-chair introductory event. You will receive further information after enrolment. 

Enrolment via jExam begins 28.March.2022 (Attention: on jExam the course is named "KP Medieninformatik I"). If you have problems enrolling or questions, please contact . 

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 and this Guide for instructions on how to apply for a project.