Project Title: 
Designing Virtual Immersive Mementos, VR Environments for Memory

Project Description:
This thesis proposes a conceptual design framework for representing autobiographical and family memories through virtual reality environments. The research introduces the concept of the Virtual Immersive Memento (VIM), a design approach that transforms personal recollections into embodied virtual environments capable of conveying both the factual elements of memory and its emotional atmosphere. Grounded in literature from memory studies and developed through Research-through-Design methodology, the project combines autoethnographic inquiry with the creation of a VR prototype.

Committee Members:

Maria Palazzi (Advisor), Shadrick Kuteh, Michelle Wibbelsman

Keywords:
Virtual Reality (VR), Immersive Storytelling, Memory Studies, Interactive Narrative, Experiential Design, Narrative Environments, Colombia Rural Memory

Exhibition Artifact: 
Designing Virtual Immersive Mementos

Artifact Description:
This project proposes a conceptual design framework for representing autobiographical and family memories through virtual reality environments. The research introduces the concept of the Virtual Immersive Memento (VIM), a design approach that transforms personal recollections into embodied virtual environments capable of conveying both the factual elements of memory and its emotional atmosphere. 

Technical Description:
VR demo on Meta Quest HMD standalone. It requires a minimal space of 16 X 16 feet.  Each viewing last 20 minutes aprox.