Augmenting Virtual Graduation
As members of the MIT family, we were saddened to discover MIT's class of 2020 would not have a in-person commencement ceremony this spring due to physical distancing guidelines. As a result, graduates around the world could not experience elements of graduation and would not be able to share their academic achievements with the world. In response, embodying the "Mens et Manus" MIT spirit, we decided to act. We banded together as a team of expert digital creators and engineers to develop a virtual commencement memento for students, bringing Killian Court and the sounds of graduation into their homes. This memento allows students to share this monumental moment with friends and family while also celebrating their accomplishments and success!
The power of augmented reality is the ability to bridge the physical and the digital. We all believed that it would be a great medium to bring a piece of graduation that just can't be conveyed through a traditional live-stream video. Beyond just recreating moments from graduation, Augmented Reality also enables us to bring concepts not possible in the real world. The Volaroid experience leans on magical realism to show the emotions of commencement.
We hope the Class of 2020 enjoys this moment. This is our gift to you! 🎁
#MyVolaroid #OneMIT 🌎
About Us
Victoria Bousis
Immersive Director, Screenwriter, Film Producer and Creative Director
I am an MIT EMBA '18 alumni with a passion for weaving emerging technology and immersive storytelling for impact. For the last three years, I have directed immersive experiences, the most recent immersive experience being, "Stay Alive My Son," an official selection in Cannes XR and Marche du Film. For the last 12 years, I have been a creative film producer for the screen with notable projects premiering at acclaimed film festivals, including Sundance, TIFF, Venice, and Urbanworld.
Congrats Class of 2020!!!
Luís Zanforlin
VR Developer, Composer and Sound Designer
I'm a media composer, sound designer, and virtual reality developer with an interest in arts and education. Currently, I work as a virtual reality developer at MIT where I create new media experiences and assist in teaching a class in virtual reality & immersive media.
Austin Edelman
XR + Medical Research Developer + Personnel Facilitator
I am an XR developer with an interest in the fusion of medical research and XR experience. I currently serve as President of MIT VR/AR, organizing large XR events and find and consult for professional contracted XR projects.
Eswar Anandapadmanaban
Designer, Developer, XR Specialist
I’m a designer and developer focused on building immersive spatial computing applications. My focus is on XR for data visualization and augmenting decision making for mission critical scenarios, having worked for groups like the Air Force and NASA. I helped found VR/AR@MIT, the student run XR community and lab on campus. I’m the current director for Reality Hack.
Special Shout-outs:
MIT Open Learning
Prof. Sanjay Sarma, Prof. Fox Harrell, Clayton Hainsworth, have been hugely supportive advisors of the Volaroid project. We’d like to thanks others from Open Learning who assisted in turning our vision into a reality.
VR/AR@MIT
VR/AR@MIT is the XR community on campus and away from it. Pioneering immersive technology and experimenting with it is at the core of VR/AR@MIT. We’re glad to have been able to contribute to the 2020 commencement.
MIT Commencement Committee
The MIT Commencement Committee has been working tirelessly to provide the best experience possible for the graduates in these difficult times. We’d like to give them a shout-out for supporting this project and spreading the word
Notion Theory
Notion Theory has been a fantastic partner in helping us execute and build out Volaroid. Thanks Notion Theory for being part of this journey with us!
UME
Ume is a cross-platform, creative technology studio that creates interactive & immersive VR/AR/XR experiences that empower audiences, revolutionize narratives, gamify engagement, and deepen the impact.
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