Brief
This project replicates the creative experience of a physical sandtray, allowing kids and teens (ages 6-18) to place and interact with virtual objects in a simulated sandbox. It offers 8 themed environments, over 100 miniature objects for storytelling, and a creation tool for therapists to add custom assets. Players can customize avatars and miniature colors, while immersive touring ensures a truly engaging experience.
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Timeline
Jan - Apr 2024 (12 weeks)
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My Role
3D Artist
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Team
▪ Alexander J., Developer
▪ Carol T., UX/UI Designer
▪ Cindy C., Technical Artist
▪ Lan X., Developer
▪ Mandy L., Project Manager
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Contribution
▪ Conducted user Research
▪ Created sandtray environments
▪ Implemented hundreds of models into unity
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Tools
Blender
Unity
Github
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Client
Problem Statement
Sandtray therapy is a useful play therapy for kids and teens (ages 6-18) to work through trauma without words. However, its accessibility is often hindered by the physical limitations of the traditional sandtray setup — restricted space and the challenge of managing a large variety of assistive tools. A digital approach is needed to solve these issues.
Goals
1. Our goal is to bridge the gap between therapists and patients, offering an innovative solution that enhances the reach and effectiveness of sandtray therapy across Vancouver.
2. Developing an interactive online experience that is functional but also immersive and engaging.
Research
We researched the simliar product Simply Sand Play as a reference and identified four key areas where user experience could be improved:
1. Low precision of object placement
2. Lack of feedback
3. Confusing control of zoom & camera angles
4. Grouping functions hidden
Prototype
We have improved the accessibility and versatility of our product by offering eight environments tailored to different themes. With over 100 miniature objects available for storytelling, users can craft unique and engaging narratives. Additionally, a miniature creation tool that allows therapists to implement additional assets for more personalized experiences.
I created eight themed environments for users to choose from, featuring both indoor and outdoor scenes.
In comparison to Simply Sand Play, our product offers significantly improved performance through nine simple action buttons for various activities. Users benefit from precision control, allowing them to scale, rotate, and move miniatures with greater accuracy. Also, our user-friendly graphic interface enable users to complete therapy sessions without instructions.
For avatar customization, I used Shape Keys in Blender to modify different meshes, allowing users to form deeper connections with their avatars. Users can personalize the color, shape, facial expressions, and outfits of all miniatures, giving them greater creative freedom. Our immersive touring feature further enriches the experience, providing a truly captivating journey during the tour.
Takeaways
▪ Evaluate teammates' current workloads and project timelines before suggesting new initiatives to ensure feasibility and prevent burnout.
▪ Actively learn from teammates' knowledge in areas like agile methodologies, effective communication techniques, and presentation skills...etc to enhance professional development.
▪ Collaborating closely with the team through daily stand-up meetings helps align on project requirements, upcoming milestones, and technical constraints, fostering better collaboration and reducing misunderstandings.