I originally imagined the world with a painterly look, something that could capture both nostalgia and the feeling of reunion. When time made that direction less realistic, I shifted toward a 3D approach that still carried emotional weight through color, while avoiding a harsh polygonal style.

Building the first prototype was its own learning curve. As someone new to environment design, it took time to figure out how I wanted the world to feel and what it should include. I used a first-person controller in React Three Fiber (R3F), which was challenging to set up and raised early concerns about performance and site weight.

During this phase, I also began connecting with survey participants who shared their pet loss stories. Their willingness to contribute made it clear that these narratives could become an essential part of the experience once the platform is ready.

Before moving further with the environment, I started by testing the initial prototype to gather feedback from users. At the same time, I had helpful discussions with alumni who shared their insights on how to improve the experience.

From the user testing, we learned that most people enjoyed the peaceful feel of the environment but suggested that adding personalization options could help encourage them to share their stories about their pets.
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Similarly, I gained valuable advice from alumni on easing users into the interaction, considering the delicate topic of pet loss.  They also provided tips on handling technical challenges and improving user engagement.

I continued developing the project with user and alumni feedback & insights in mind. At this point, the design of the environment started to really shape up and come alive. I introduced  characters similar to NPCs - Bowie and Guidermo - a playful take on 'Rainbow Bridge Guides.' These characters are designed to greet visitors and provide comfort as they enter the sanctuary, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere.

I also introduced a part of the experiences in a form of a Scroll-based stories. This section allows users to engage with stories of other pet owners, enhancing the communal and supportive aspect of the experience.

With the project deadline approaching, the pace of work has intensified. I've been focused on rigging and 3D modeling crucial elements, ensuring that the characters not only walk and talk but also exhibit natural, fluid idle animations. This brings them to life within the virtual environment.

Additionally, I've delved into technical experimentation with shaders in React Three Fiber (R3F), aiming to create a visually striking rainbow effect that enhances the immersive experience of the sanctuary.

My focus shifted to finalizing the details. This phase was dedicated to wrapping up the coding aspects, where I refined the functionality and interactivity of the environment.

Simultaneously, I continued to develop and polish the assets, asking and collecting stories of people who have lost their pets, enriching the narratives embedded within the virtual world to ensure they resonated deeply with users, providing a comforting and hopefully, engaging experience.