All case studies

BhangAR

BhangAr is created using Motion Capture technologies, allowing me to record a Bhangra Dancer in a mo-cap studio and transport him into an AR Filter.

Project

University of Maryland, Final Project

Role:

Motion Capture, AR Development

Tools Used:

Vicon Shogun, Maya, Spark AR, Lens Studio

Date:

Dec 2022

Background

BhangAR is a virtual experience that celebrates the beauty and culture of Bhangra, a traditional Punjabi folk dance originating from Sialkot, Pakistan, in the 1800s to mark the harvest season. The dance features energetic kicks, leaps, and rhythmic movements to the beat of the dhol drum. While rooted in Punjabi tradition, Bhangra has evolved to retain its cultural essence in modern times.

Design Process

Understand → Research → Design → User Testing → Presentation

AR Design Process

Research

During the research phase of BhangAR, I explored articles, listened to podcasts by traditional Bhangra dancers from the pre-partition era, and engaged in conversations with Punjabi Bhangra dancers to understand their personal connections to the dance and its cultural significance.

Motion Capture ~ Vicon Shogun

5 large exhibits, but lack of context with navigation causes people to skim/skip over significant artifacts.

3D Mesh/Animation Cleanup

Many of the placards are written in English. This prevents those unable to speak English/those with limited schooling to miss out on key information.

Develop in Spark AR

The average passerby doesn’t have the opportunity to be taken throughout the museum by a tour guide. Therefore, missing out on highly informative/engaging material that adds deeper context to the history and cultural artifacts.

Research

Motion Capture ~ Vicon Shogun

5 large exhibits, but lack of context with navigation causes people to skim/skip over significant artifacts.

3D Mesh/Animation Cleanup

Many of the placards are written in English. This prevents those unable to speak English/those with limited schooling to miss out on key information.

Develop in Spark AR

Research

Motion Capture ~ Vicon Shogun

5 large exhibits, but lack of context with navigation causes people to skim/skip over significant artifacts.

3D Mesh/Animation Cleanup

Many of the placards are written in English. This prevents those unable to speak English/those with limited schooling to miss out on key information.

Develop in Spark AR

Takeaways

Developing BhangAR refined my problem-solving skills as I navigated Vicon, Maya, and Spark AR, ensuring seamless integration without compromising quality. The precision required in motion capture, particularly in rigging and animating within Maya, sharpened my attention to detail, as even minor inaccuracies could impact the final outcome. Working across multiple platforms enhanced my cross-functional expertise, enabling me to manage the complexities of AR development and 3D animation with greater efficiency.