POLYPAINT
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PolyPaint is a virtual reality controller that features a pen-and-glove combo to facilitate artists and designers with their creative endeavors. With the pen, a user can draw out a form in 3D while using the glove to pan and pivot their creations within the 3D space.
TIMELNE
3 Weeks
January –
February 2025
TEAM
Matthew Li
Will Ferrari
TOOLS
Foam Prototyping
Adobe Illustrator
Semantic Analysis
Sketching
Research
MOODBOARD
Before our research began, we had already decided that we wanted our VR controller to be used within the context of 3D modeling. With this idea in mind, we decided on a sleek and minimal aesthetic.
REFERENCES
Gravity Sketch was the software that we based the project on. It uses virtual reality as a way to sketch within a 3D space. We also referenced VR pen controllers from Logitech and Wacom as they were made specifically with artists and designers in mind.
SEMANTIC ANALYSIS
Before ideation, we participated in semantic analysis to understand the market and what affordances we included on our VR controller. We analyzed four popular controller options and their strengths/weaknesses.
Ideation
INITIAL SKETCHES
With the insight that we gathered from our conceptual inquiry, we focused our ideation on those aspects. We generated 60 ideas that seemed promising by using the Crazy Eights, eight ideas in eight minutes.
Iteration
FORM STUDIES
We used Expanded Polystyrene foam to create the first form studies of the controller. Using various power tools, we carved blocks of foam into the controllers while keeping in mind ergonomics and functionality. We decided that for our particular user base that a pen and glove combo would work the best.
ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS
With the idea of a pen and glove as the VR controllers, we proceeded with creating orthographic drawings of the controllers in Adobe Illustrator. In our first revision a pen with a triangular grip was used and received well in critique. However, the glove didn't match our aesthetic philosophy.
In our second revision of the orthographic drawings, we kept the same pen design but put the triangular design cue from the pen into the side profile of the glove. We also finalized the idea of a scroll wheel on the glove and a button on the pen.
PROCESS
When making the final design, we used green Extruded Polystyrene foam blocks with the orthographic drawings stuck to the sides as a template. We used spare elastic straps to create the wrist straps for the glove and used grey primer to finish the glove and pen.
FINAL DESIGN
