Optifect

Klara, Emma, Maya

Developing ideas:

• Optical illusion
• Weird illusions
• We are given something that if there were no filters it would be easy to depict. But with the filters, we are a constraint and we are purposely giving ourselves this disability to see if we can see past it
• Create a game, timing and a competition of who sees the most x
• We came up with the idea of using vivid and colorful colors as filters/lenses as well as the poster being full of colors and objects.

PROCESS

Primarily, we wanted to create a game that includes 2 participating players competing against each other to get the most flamingos, however we had so many complications with the laser cutter as well as due to time constraints. We chose the glasses to have this elegant, masquerade mask style, therefore we chose a wooden handle that was thick. After that, before cutting the wooden pieces for the glasses, we designed 3 diverse trendy, strange looking glasses that gives a playful and funky aspect to the object as a whole. Using the laser cutter to get precise measurements and clean cuts, we used PVC (acrylic) since it is durable and the thickness was exactly what we needed. The octagon and rectangular shaped glasses were duplicated in order for the filer to go in between, which was glued together with a chloroform to stabilise the glasses and filter together. However, the cat shaped glasses was produced once as it would be too dark, since we used coloured PVC. Each glass was about 10cm in height and 24cm in width.

The two filters were done by cutting the shape of the glasses using a blade, and the material chosen is coloured photograph paper. After we constructed the glasses, we found a really thin, clean wood and made the length a bit longer than the actual glasses for space to line up with the top of the handle. We used super glue to stick the each wooden piece firmly on the tip of each glasses, and cut two small square shaped wooden pieces to have a balance in thickness between the glasses.

To finalise the piece, we chose a specific length of bolt that would go through all the wooden pieces and the handle, and marked precisely that exact same points for each wooden piece and handle to plan where the hole is going to be. We drilled 4 exact holes, and then put the pieces together through the bolt.

To have a “fan” effect, or a sort of exaggeration, we did not fully tighten the nut to let each glasses loosely hanging and the player is able to move around each piece freely.

Pitch

Optifect is designed as a low-tech, optical tool that explores VR through vision, deformation, and perception. Acting as a reimagined eye test machine, it creates visual constraints through diverse filters, transforming the experience into a competitive game.

Project Statement

Optifect is designed as an optical tool that acts as a visual constraint, as we are purposefully giving ourselves a disability through various filters. We created several compelling, funky glass shapes that can attract each player to get immersed in the VR experience. Within these filters, it is a challenge not only against ourselves but against our opponent. Using simplistic, low-tech materials such as wood, PVC, and paper, we produce a video-game that can be entertaining yet is a way to train the eyesight. This experiment allows the eye to expand its capabilities past what we expected, familiarizing objects we have not recognized before.

GAME COMPONENTS

Using Illustrator, we designed the poster that has several different objects that have a pop in colour, with many flamingos scattered to make the game more challenging for their eyesight and test each filter to see which works best in catching the flamingos.

In order to organise the game, certain rules have to be applied to achieve the purpose/function of the game. We created a poster for the players participating to be able to follow the rules and respect them while playing the game.