3MAP - milestone 2.

interaction design : principles : archetypes

Design Principles

Selecting geometric archetypes for nodes

Problem

To create an immersive VR world we need to populate it with 3D geometry. However, most of our users will not have 3D modelling skills.

Users who do have 3D modelling skills may not be experienced with creating models with Level-Of-Detail trees including low-polygon versions, which are required for responsive VR environments.

Solution

Allow users to select geometry from a prepared library of archetypes.

Archetypes [Jung, 1968; Alexander et al, 1977] are the fundamental forms from which more specific forms emerge.

For example, the archetype Terrace House could start with the basic form Workers Cottage and could be modified by the attributes two-storey or rear extension or by the periods victorian, edwardian, modern.

Classical and vernacular architecture [Brand, 1994] in particular lend themselves to procedural modeling techniques [Birch et al, 2003].

This library of archetypes would provide a way for users to add meaningful geometry to the world without building 3D models themselves.

Task flow

(diagram in GarretIA, a visual vocabulary
for describing information architecture and interaction design)