Children playing Spark.
PROJECT | 2020

Spark

An interactive mixed-reality installation for children on the spectrum to practice social initiation through embodied play.

  • Project

    Spark

  • Type

    Interactive Installation

    Large-Scale Projection

  • location

    Barcelona, Spain

  • dimensions

    6 x 6 m

  • duration

    10 min

As part of my Master’s thesis, I designed and developed an interactive installation titled Spark. The work supports children on the autism spectrum in developing skills related to social initiation through embodied interaction. In collaboration with a PhD researcher and a 3D design student, I created a virtual environment using Unity, designed to be projected onto the floor (6 × 6 m) using two ceiling-mounted projectors. The environment is structured around a space-themed narrative, in which two children create, collect and interact with planet-like shapes using custom-built handheld controllers—allowing them to collaboratively construct their own shared universe.

A technical drawing of the hardware environment used for Spark.
Projection and sound system design.
A technical drawing of the handheld controllers utilized for playing Spark.
Custom-built handheld controller design.
Controllers placed on the projection surface waiting for children to play.
Game element design - Whitehole.
Game element design - Planets.
Game element design - Celestrial bodies.
Game element design - Star and blackhole.

The installation was presented at the Full-Body Interaction Laboratory at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). A total of 44 children from local school classes engaged with the installation before COVID-19 restrictions brought further sessions to a halt. In addition to the thesis publication, the project was featured on the laboratory’s website and was also presented during an official visit by the Catalan Minister for Research and Universities. I also presented the project at the Code.Talks Conference (Hamburg, 2022), Intersection Conference (Turin, 2022), and the Push UX Conference (Munich, 2021).

Children playing Spark.
Children playing Spark.
Players moving a planet together.
Players moving a planet together.
Players exploring the virtual environment.
Players exploring the virtual environment.
Players creating a planet.
Players creating a planet.
Heat-Map created from red player movement data.
Visualization of movement and interaction data (Red Player).
Heat-Map created from blue player movement data.
Visualization of movement and interaction data (Blue Player).

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