As part of my graduate work at the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) at The Ohio State University, I developed an experimental XR experience inspired by the narrative structure and emotional depth of comics, focusing specifically on the work of Chris Ware and his graphic novel Building Stories. The project involved extensive visual and narrative research, scanning Ware’s intricately layered illustrations and architectural layouts to understand how spatial storytelling and emotional tone could be reinterpreted within immersive media. The goal was to explore how comic-based narrative techniques—including panel framing, timing, and interior monologue—could be transformed into an interactive, explorable XR environment.
I recreated elements of Building Stories in a walkthrough-style mixed reality experience, enabling users to inhabit and explore a fragmented, memory-rich world from the perspective of the comic’s characters. This involved translating key moments from the comic into 3D environments and interaction sequences, using Unity, C#, and Blender, with spatialized narration, lighting, and object interactions that reflected the inner lives and emotional beats of the story. The XR experience allowed users to trigger events, uncover memories, and navigate transitions through touch, proximity, and environmental cues—mirroring the nuanced, nonlinear storytelling of Ware’s work.
This project required a unique blend of art history, comics theory, and technical execution, as well as human-centered design thinking to preserve the delicate tone and introspection of the source material. By grounding immersive design in literary and visual research, I created an experience that bridged traditional illustration with cutting-edge XR media, offering a meditative, emotionally resonant exploration of loneliness, routine, and memory. It stands as a reflection of my belief that XR can be both deeply personal and narratively complex, opening new dimensions for storytelling and user empathy.
