Academic Partner Research

Positions available: One or Two teams, no team size limit.Our CompanyBanging Rocks uses Emerging Media for positive impact, with an emphasis on transdisciplinary arts, and ties to several local academic organizations.Academic Emerging Media ProspectingBanging Rocks is seeking potential academic partners. We are looking for University based academic open labs and other open initiatives specializing in VR, AR, AI and other emerging media. Our hope is to create a network of academic partners whose open sourced works can be be fit to various applications by Banging Rocks.This Riipen project centers on researching labs of this sort, and compiling a report on the best prospects internationally for this sort of collaboration.The ProjectBanging Rocks will provide examples of a couple of suitable organizations and discuss why they are a good fit and the basic plan for developing a network of collaborators.Project deliverables would include both a report and any recommendations, analysis and insights the student team comes up with.The StudentThe students should have an entrepreneurial mindset, be good at research and presentation, and curious about innovative business models

Prototype Design: Interactive Remote Learning

Available Positions: 1 - 3Our CompanyBanging Rocks uses Emerging Media for positive impact, with an emphasis on transdisciplinary arts.Interactive Remote LearningOur founder is developing K-12 course material for use in remote learning. Based on the BC “New Curriculum”, this will include a combination of commercial off-the-shelf software and custom tools to deliver realtime, interactive and engaging content on a wide range of subjects.This Riipen project centers specifically on the design and initial prototyping for two test sessions, one astronomical the other biological.The ProjectWe will be incorporating both off the shelf tools (OBS, Teams, Lens Studio and others) and potentially custom created tools, and will be extending the tools made by the University of British Columbia’s “Digital Dream Play” team from the Emerging Media Lab for this purpose.Deliverables will include documentation, and co-creation of a simple prototype for one or two 45 minute sessions for primary school children. The student will have the option to help deliver a presentation to grade 3 and 5 classes.The StudentThe student selected should have a familiarity with STEM education, a proficiency with UI/UX considerations and be a fast learner on a range of technologies. The ability to clearly document processes and tools is also key.

Junior React Architect for "Group Works" App

Positions available: 1Our CompanyBanging Rocks creates Virtual Reality for positive impact, with an emphasis on transdisciplinary arts.Group Works: Junior React ArchitectGroup Works is an open source card deck for facilitators, giving a pattern language of facilitated process that helps make meetings and other events more meaningful, productive and connective.Banging Rocks is creating a React Native application that helps facilitators use the deck effectively for consultation, event planning, debriefing and more.The ProjectThis project pairs a junior developer with our senior developer to help us plan out implementation. Together, these two will help develop a team to create an MVP version of the software.The StudentThe student may be new to react, but should have a strong grounding in software development and design, experience in the field desired but not required. They should have an understanding of how to scope & define a project and its subcomponents, and how to frame them suitably for an agile team to deliver.The deliverables include:- Shared creation of a development plan and task list- Shared creation of job and project descriptions suitable for Riipen or other platforms so that we can assemble a suitable development team- Assistance in some preliminary development and prototyping.

A Wall Opens: 3D Modelling Proposal

Positions Available: 1Our CompanyBanging Rocks creates Virtual Reality for positive impact, with an emphasis on transdisciplinary arts.A Wall OpensA Wall Opens is the first installment in a series of 3 room puzzle game/escape room virtual reality experiences. Built in Unity and designed for the Oculus Quest headset, the game is played in first person through a series of kinetic puzzles, letters, portals and magical objects. Each game tells the story of generations of womxn within a “haunting house” rather than a haunted house: a place that, through its objects, is a living character in their memories. Creation of thematically and stylistically consistent objects is of vital importance.This Riipen project centres specifically on the creation of furniture and home decor objects. Work done in this Riipen project will permit the implementation of key gameplay mechanics from the software development team.The ProjectThis project centers on historical furniture and home decor spanning the twentieth century, with whimsical and surrealist elements. The successful applicant will research time-period appropriate furniture, and propose a design for a shelving unit to the Art Director. Upon design approval, the successful applicant will deliver one completed 3D model for the shelving unit and three additional pieces of room decor to the VR development team. Deliverables may be modified if the shelving unit design is complex and requires additional time. Models are not required to have finished textures.The StudentThe student selected should have a strong background in 3D modelling, with experience creating meshes that are compatible with Unity. Access to 3D modelling software programs, and a computer capable of running them is a requirement for this position.The ideal candidate has familiarity with historical furniture design and home decor spanning the twentieth century. Texturing skills are an asset but not a requirement.