Digital Media CMS

Author: Alexis Raya

  • From Concept to Reality: Advanced 3D Scene Construction in Unreal Engine

    Advancing beyond foundational 3D modeling techniques, students in this course explored high-detail scene construction, refining their ability to create immersive virtual environments. Through a combination of individual and collaborative assignments, they developed highly detailed models, optimized textures, and realistic lighting to bring their digital worlds to life in real-time applications.

    Team Projects: Crafting Immersive Workshops

    Working in teams, students selected historical or contemporary workshop themes and constructed detailed digital environments. Each group developed a mood board to guide their artistic vision, curating a selection of reference images that shaped their final designs.

    Collaboration in Asset Creation

    Each team member contributed to the creation of hero objects, furniture, and decorative items, ensuring that every element within the scene was designed with precision and care. By distributing responsibilities, teams achieved cohesive, well-realized spaces that reflected their chosen time periods and artistic direction.

    Individual Responsibilities: Bringing Scenes to Life

    Beyond teamwork, each student played a critical role in designing a specific area within the workshop. They began by drafting detailed digital overhead floor plans, meticulously planning layouts to ensure spatial accuracy. These plans incorporated essential architectural elements such as windows, doors, and structural components.

    Concept Development and Scene Construction

    To refine their vision, students created concept sketches of their environments, exploring object placement, composition, and camera angles. These sketches informed the development of fully surfaced and lit 3D scenes, where every texture and material was optimized for real-time visualization in Unreal Engine.

    Final Rendering: Real-Time Visualization in Unreal Engine

    With all assets in place, students integrated their models into Unreal Engine, applying advanced lighting and rendering techniques to enhance realism. Through real-time visualization, they showcased their ability to balance high-detail models with optimized performance, meeting the technical demands of game development workflows.

    By the end of the course, students had assembled a portfolio of high-quality 3D scenes, demonstrating their expertise in modeling, texturing, and lighting. These projects not only reflect their artistic growth but also serve as professional assets for future co-op and career opportunities in game development and immersive media.

  • Deflect, Dash, Conquer: The Making of Ricochet Ronin

    Precision, agility, and strategy come together in Ricochet Ronin, a fast-paced action platformer developed by Team Ronin, a group of junior-year GDAP students. Blending the intensity of bullet hell mechanics with fluid platforming, the game takes players on a journey through a world inspired by the fusion of Wild West and Feudal Japan aesthetics.

    Game Overview: Ricochet Ronin

    Ricochet Ronin challenges players to embody a lone warrior practicing the ancient art of Yadomejutsu—deflecting enemy bullets back at them using a katana. The game rewards precise timing and strategic movement as players navigate treacherous environments and battle foes in a visually striking pixel-art world.

    Key Features

    • Precision-based combat where players can only damage enemies by deflecting their bullets
    • Fast-paced platforming that demands agility and quick reflexes
    • A unique blend of pixel art and traditional Japanese aesthetics
    • Designed for PC (Steam), appealing to fans of action and bullet hell games

    The Development Process

    The team’s journey began with detailed mockups, including storyboards, character designs, and level layouts that shaped the game’s distinctive identity. With a strong emphasis on tight gameplay mechanics, the team iterated on movement physics and enemy AI to ensure a rewarding and skill-based experience.

    Challenges and Solutions

    One of the major challenges faced by the team was balancing difficulty—ensuring that the precision-based mechanics felt challenging yet fair. To achieve this, they fine-tuned enemy attack patterns and adjusted timing windows for bullet deflection, creating a gameplay loop that is both intense and rewarding.

    Final Presentation and Future Plans

    As part of the final showcase, Team Ronin presented Ricochet Ronin to faculty and peers, detailing their creative and technical achievements. Their final pitch highlighted future expansions, including new levels, boss fights, and additional gameplay mechanics.

    With plans to refine the experience further and expand on its core mechanics, Ricochet Ronin showcases the talent and dedication of Team Ronin. The game’s unique blend of fast-paced action and strategic combat has set the stage for future iterations and potential industry opportunities.

  • HoloGraphic: A Cyberpunk Deckbuilder

    Game development is an intricate process that blends creativity, strategy, and technical prowess. Team HoloGraphic, a dedicated group of junior-year GDAP students, embarked on this journey to create HoloGraphic, a deckbuilder roguelike set in a cyberpunk future. Their game challenges players to think like a genius hacker, rewarding clever problem-solving and strategic decision-making.

    Game Overview: HoloGraphic

    HoloGraphic transports players into a high-tech cyberpunk world, where they take on the role of an elite hacker navigating a dystopian landscape. The game’s mechanics emphasize strategic deck-building, allowing players to outmaneuver security systems, break through digital firewalls, and uncover hidden secrets.

    Unique Selling Points

    • A cyberpunk aesthetic with immersive world-building
    • Strategic deck-building mechanics that reward creativity
    • A game designed for PC (Steam), targeting players aged 18-27

    The Development Process

    The team meticulously crafted their game concept, starting with a detailed mockup phase that included concept art, mood boards, and storyboards to establish the game’s visual identity and narrative direction. Their work evolved through multiple iterations, refining both gameplay mechanics and the overall player experience.

    Challenges and Innovations

    One of the biggest challenges the team faced was balancing the complexity of the deck-building mechanics with accessibility for new players. To tackle this, they designed an intuitive onboarding experience that gradually introduces players to advanced mechanics without overwhelming them.

    Final Presentation and Future Plans

    HoloGraphic was pitched as part of the GMAP 377 final showcase, where the team presented their polished concept, gameplay mechanics, and future expansion plans. While the initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was targeted for a December 2022 release, the team envisioned expanding the game with additional content by March 2023.

    The team sees great potential for further development, hoping to refine the mechanics and expand the narrative scope. Their dedication and innovation in designing HoloGraphic showcase the talent and ambition of Drexel’s GDAP students.

  • House of the BloodKnots: A Haunting Horror Platformer by Team Plastic Coffin

    Horror and platforming collide in House of the BloodKnots, a haunting narrative-driven game developed by Team Plastic Coffin, a group of junior-year GDAP students. Combining eerie storytelling, dark magic, and intense platforming mechanics, the game immerses players in a chilling world where family secrets hold terrifying truths.

    Game Overview: House of the BloodKnots

    House of the BloodKnots follows the story of Mace BloodKnot, a young boy who uncovers the horrifying legacy of his family. With the help of his loyal dog Sickle, Mace must battle his own kin—members of a lineage that has used dark magic to manipulate souls for their gain.

    Key Features

    • A gothic horror-inspired narrative that unfolds through exploration and combat
    • Pixelated 2.5D art style blending eerie 3D environments with haunting 2D sprites
    • Challenging platforming mechanics with dark magic-infused enemy encounters
    • Designed for PC (Steam), targeting fans of horror and atmospheric platformers

    The Development Process

    Team Plastic Coffin approached their game with a focus on immersive world-building and unsettling atmosphere. Their early development phase included designing mood boards, crafting eerie character designs, and establishing the game’s sinister tone through environment art and soundscapes.

    Challenges and Creative Solutions

    One of the core challenges the team faced was balancing the unsettling horror elements with engaging platforming mechanics. To maintain tension while keeping gameplay dynamic, they implemented eerie enemy designs and interactive level elements that force players to adapt and strategize.

    Final Presentation and Future Goals

    House of the BloodKnots was showcased as part of the final presentations, where the team highlighted their creative direction, gameplay mechanics, and future expansion plans. The game’s unique horror aesthetic and dark narrative captivated audiences, sparking interest in further development.

    Looking ahead, Team Plastic Coffin aims to refine their mechanics, expand the game’s lore, and introduce additional levels and boss encounters. Their work on **House of the BloodKnots** showcases their ability to blend storytelling and gameplay into an unforgettable horror experience.

  • WordFor: Revolutionizing Language Learning Through Interactive Design

    Drexel University’s User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) program continues to foster innovation in digital education. A prime example of this innovation is WordFor, an ingenious language learning application developed by UXID students.

    WordFor goes beyond being a simple vocabulary app; it’s a demonstration of how user-centered design principles can be applied to educational technology. This project showcases the application of UXID skills to create solutions for real-world challenges, specifically addressing the often daunting task of learning a new language.

    Key Features of WordFor

    Interactive Learning: The app employs a unique approach where users learn new words by associating them with images, enhancing retention through visual memory.

    Personalized Experience: WordFor adapts to each user’s learning pace and preferences, ensuring a tailored educational journey.

    Gamification Elements: To maintain engagement, the app incorporates game-like features, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective.

    The UXID Approach

    This project highlights the multifaceted skills developed in the UXID program:

    User Research: In-depth studies were conducted to understand the needs and pain points of language learners.

    Iterative Design: The app went through multiple rounds of prototyping and testing, refining the user experience at each stage.

    Visual Design: The clean, intuitive interface of WordFor demonstrates proficiency in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.

    Impact and Future Prospects

    WordFor serves as an impressive portfolio piece and has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of language education. It exemplifies how UXID principles can be applied to create tools that enhance learning experiences across various domains.

    Innovation in Action

    The WordFor project is just one example of the innovative work being done in Drexel’s UXID program. The curriculum empowers students to tackle real-world challenges, preparing them for dynamic careers in user experience and interaction design.

    At Drexel’s Digital Media department, the focus is not just on teaching design, but on shaping the future of digital interactions. WordFor stands as a testament to the program’s commitment to innovation, user-centered design, and practical application of technology in solving everyday challenges.

  • Nomnom: Revitalizing Recipe Websites with PHP and MySQL Integration

    In the ever-evolving world of culinary websites, Nomnom stands out as a shining example of innovation. This fictional recipe website, developed as part of Drexel University’s IDM 232: Scripting for Interactive Digital Media II course, showcases the power of combining engaging design with robust backend technology.

    The Challenge: Building from the Ground Up

    Nomnom’s project aimed to create an engaging, user-friendly interface while integrating dynamic features through PHP and MySQL. This comprehensive redesign faced several challenges:

    • Defining a clear vision for the website’s design and functionality
    • Seamlessly incorporating PHP and MySQL for dynamic content management
    • Ensuring high user engagement through intuitive design
    • Designing for scalability to accommodate future growth

    The Approach: User-Centric Design and Robust Development

    The development process was divided into three key phases:

    1. Discovery Phase

    This phase focused on creating comprehensive user personas to understand the diverse needs of potential users, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience.

    2. Design Phase

    The design phase involved:

    • Creating iterative wireframes and prototypes
    • Developing a comprehensive design system
    • Utilizing PHP for server-side scripting and MySQL for database management
    • Implementing a modular and scalable code structure
    • Ensuring responsive design for cross-device compatibility

    3. Feature Implementation

    Key features included a dynamic search and categorization system to enhance recipe discovery based on user preferences.

    The final solution boasts a visually appealing, modern interface with high-quality images and graphics, complemented by a robust database structure for efficient content management. This project not only resulted in a functional product but also provided valuable lessons in user-centric design, balancing creativity with functionality, and the importance of continuous iteration based on user feedback.

  • Tasty Tales: A Journey in PHP-Powered Recipe Website Development

    Over a 10-week period, a Drexel University student embarked on an individual project to create a responsive recipe website, diving deep into the world of PHP and database interactions. This endeavor, part of a class assignment, resulted in Tasty Tales – a dynamic, user-friendly platform showcasing 37 delectable recipes.

    The Challenge: Mastering PHP and Database Integration

    As a first-time PHP user, the student faced several challenges:

    • Navigating the intricacies of PHP programming
    • Resolving database errors
    • Creating a visually appealing website using HTML and CSS
    • Implementing dynamic data retrieval from a database

    Development Process

    The project unfolded in several stages:

    1. Creating a style tile for color scheme, font, and logo branding
    2. Designing wireframes for layout planning
    3. Developing the HTML and CSS structure
    4. Integrating PHP for dynamic recipe retrieval
    5. Implementing search and filter functionalities

    The Tasty Tales Solution

    The final product boasts several user-centric features:

    • A cohesive color scheme for visual appeal
    • Easy navigation through the recipe collection
    • Filter options for proteins
    • Nutritional information on recipe cards
    • Custom fonts and a well-defined style guide

    Key Achievements

    Tasty Tales successfully met its primary objectives:

    • Dynamic retrieval and display of all 37 recipes
    • Seamless search and filter functionalities
    • A responsive design ensuring a positive user experience across devices

    Lessons Learned

    The project provided valuable insights into PHP development and database management. For future improvements, the student noted the importance of thorough database preparation before diving into code integration.

    Tasty Tales stands as a testament to the power of individual learning and the potential of PHP in creating dynamic, user-friendly websites. It not only met its educational goals but also produced a functional, aesthetically pleasing platform for recipe enthusiasts.

  • Smoosh: Revolutionizing 3D Modeling with Haptic Technology

    In the evolving landscape of virtual reality and 3D modeling, Smoosh emerges as a groundbreaking solution developed by a Drexel University student. This innovative software aims to bridge the gap between traditional sculpting and digital 3D modeling by leveraging haptic glove technology.

    The Challenge: Making Digital Sculpting Feel Natural

    Traditional 3D modeling software often presents a steep learning curve, especially for those accustomed to physical sculpting. Smoosh addresses this challenge by:

    • Simplifying the creation of organic shapes in digital 3D models
    • Simulating real-world sculpting techniques effectively
    • Offering customization options to suit user needs and senses
    • Enabling export of base models for further refinement in other programs
    • Reducing overall modeling time

    Development Process

    The project unfolded in four key phases:

    1. Competitor and User Research
    2. Lo-fi Wireframing
    3. Styling
    4. Hi-fi Prototyping

    The Smoosh Solution

    Smoosh utilizes bHaptics haptic gloves to provide a tactile sculpting experience in a digital environment. Key features include:

    • Desktop application for ease of use without VR headsets
    • Gesture-based controls for intuitive modeling
    • Haptic feedback simulating physical clay manipulation
    • Simplified UI focusing on essential sculpting tools
    • Large, accessible buttons for both mouse and glove interaction

    User Interface Design

    The UI emphasizes a sandbox-style theme with:

    • Bright, soft colors for an artistic feel
    • Hand outlines for visual feedback in 3D space
    • Hidden menus that appear when hands are pushed to screen edges
    • Simplified settings and loading options for streamlined workflow

    Future Potential

    Smoosh represents a significant step towards making digital 3D modeling more accessible and intuitive. It opens doors for artists intimidated by traditional keyboard-mouse modeling, potentially revolutionizing the field of digital sculpting.

  • Dish Discovery: A Journey into PHP and Database Integration

    Dish Discovery, a project by Drexel University student Eli Goldberg, showcases the power of PHP and seamless database integration in creating a dynamic recipe website. This 10-week endeavor not only resulted in a functional product but also marked a significant learning curve for Eli in mastering PHP.

    The Challenge: Creating a Dynamic Recipe Website

    The primary objective was to develop a responsive recipe site that pulls data from a database using PHP. Key challenges included:

    • Familiarizing with PHP for the first time
    • Integrating a database seamlessly
    • Designing an intuitive user interface
    • Creating only two unique pages – a main recipe search page and a detailed recipe page

    Development Process

    The project unfolded in several stages:

    1. Initial research and user studies
    2. Design of logo, fonts, and color scheme
    3. Building static pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
    4. Integrating PHP and database functionality
    5. Fine-tuning, debugging, and quality testing

    Key Features and Innovations

    Dish Discovery stands out with its user-centric features:

    • Multiple filter selection for customized recipe searches
    • Consideration for users with dietary restrictions
    • Clear and consistent recipe presentation
    • Responsive design for various screen sizes

    Overcoming Technical Challenges

    A significant hurdle was implementing multiple filter selections. Eli solved this by using checkbox elements within a form, utilizing the POST method, and creating a function to detect and format multiple selections for database queries.

    Results and Future Improvements

    The project successfully met its goals, providing a functional and user-friendly recipe website. Future enhancements could include:

    • Improved overall branding
    • Expanded filter categories beyond protein choices
    • Enhanced search capabilities

    Dish Discovery not only serves as a testament to Eli’s growing skills in web development but also provides a valuable platform for recipe enthusiasts to explore and discover new dishes with ease.

  • Thunk: Sparking Creativity and Connection Through Divergent Thinking

    From Drexel University’s Interactive Digital Media class of 2021 comes “Thunk,” an engaging game designed to foster social interaction and ignite creative thinking. Developed by a team of talented students from the User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) program, Thunk brings players together in a social setting, encouraging them to explore their creativity through divergent thinking.

    The Concept

    Thunk challenges players to generate as many responses as possible to a series of prompts over six rounds. The game’s unique element lies in the “switch-ups” – constraints that add complexity to the prompts, requiring players to think outside the box and adapt to unexpected challenges. The random pairing of prompts and switch-ups ensures variability and high replayability in each playthrough.

    Research-Informed Design

    The development of Thunk was deeply rooted in user research. The team began by conducting interest interviews to gain insights into player preferences. Participants were presented with sample questions based on creative exercises developed by Cas Holman, along with questions about social games they enjoy.

    The team identified Fibbage XL, Quiplash 2, and Drawful 2 as popular choices, noting that engaging digital social games require a distinct personality, akin to a game show host, and a central screen that players connect to via personal devices.

    User Interface

    The team followed a three-step agile design cycle:

    • Create and Iterate: Team members worked on individual tasks, often collaborating on the same task simultaneously.
    • Discuss and Evaluate: The team reconvened to present and discuss their ideas.
    • Merge Designs: Ideas were refined and integrated.

    The challenge for the UI team was to create a design that conveyed creativity while maintaining web accessibility. They selected a color scheme of pinks and purples, paired with Avenir Next and McLaren fonts, and used Gilbert for the logo. While achieving AAA accessibility standards proved difficult without compromising the aesthetics, they were able to create a distinct visual identity for Thunk.

    Development and Technical Challenges

    Thunk was developed using NodeJS and Socket.IO. NodeJS was chosen for its ability to handle dynamic server-side actions, while Socket.IO facilitated simultaneous connections and communication between multiple devices.

    The development team faced challenges in scaling up their proof-of-concept prototype, which revealed the need for features like room creation and user identification. The team learned a lot about working with server-side JavaScript.

    Key Takeaways

    The creation of Thunk proved to be a valuable learning experience for the entire team. While the final product may not have met all initial goals, the development process yielded valuable insights. Key lessons learned included:

    • Improved project planning and goal setting, especially when working with unfamiliar technologies.
    • The importance of constant and clear communication among team members.
    • The critical need for effective time management, as team members’ progress was heavily reliant on each other’s work.

    Thunk stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit and innovative potential within Drexel’s UXID program. The team’s dedication to user-centered design, coupled with their willingness to tackle technical challenges, resulted in a project that not only fosters creativity but also offers valuable lessons in teamwork and project management.