DIGITAL
MINDSCAPES
Consciousness is everything you experience. It is the sourness of lemons, the redness of red, the pain of heartache and the melody of your favourite song.
Consciousness, however, remains an intangible, unobservable, and slippery phenomenon.
Neuroimaging can demonstrate which areas of the brain light up in response to certain sensory and emotional experiences, and neuroscience can outline the complex systems of electrochemical signaling that make up most of our experiences, behaviours, perceptions, memories, and learning. No manner of modern quantitative science can, however visually or physically show you someone’s inner world, how they experience colours, emotions, smells, sounds and states of mind. (Goff, 2020)
Digital Mindscapes seeks to bridge this gap between our subjective inner worlds and lived experiences, and our observable experiences with matter and physical spaces. It explores Graphic Communication Design, and specifically, the 3D game environment, as a tool for visualizing and interpreting abstract, intangible phenomena, providing education and insight into our subjective minds and mental illness, and as a personal exercise in self-reflection and understanding.
In this immersive environment, you can explore three-dimensional projections of my own consciousness, and navigate through 4 mindscapes - states of mind - that I often experience as someone living with mental illness: Dissociation, Panic Attacks, Depression and Intrusive Thoughts.
How would you visualize your own mindscapes?
The game, including all graphics, 3D models, animations, textures, lighting, music, and audio was entirely created and produced by me, Dania Layla Kawar.
Software used: Unity 3D, Cinema 4D, Visual Studio, WebGL, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro.
Consciousness, however, remains an intangible, unobservable, and slippery phenomenon.
Neuroimaging can demonstrate which areas of the brain light up in response to certain sensory and emotional experiences, and neuroscience can outline the complex systems of electrochemical signaling that make up most of our experiences, behaviours, perceptions, memories, and learning. No manner of modern quantitative science can, however visually or physically show you someone’s inner world, how they experience colours, emotions, smells, sounds and states of mind. (Goff, 2020)
Digital Mindscapes seeks to bridge this gap between our subjective inner worlds and lived experiences, and our observable experiences with matter and physical spaces. It explores Graphic Communication Design, and specifically, the 3D game environment, as a tool for visualizing and interpreting abstract, intangible phenomena, providing education and insight into our subjective minds and mental illness, and as a personal exercise in self-reflection and understanding.
In this immersive environment, you can explore three-dimensional projections of my own consciousness, and navigate through 4 mindscapes - states of mind - that I often experience as someone living with mental illness: Dissociation, Panic Attacks, Depression and Intrusive Thoughts.
How would you visualize your own mindscapes?
The game, including all graphics, 3D models, animations, textures, lighting, music, and audio was entirely created and produced by me, Dania Layla Kawar.
Software used: Unity 3D, Cinema 4D, Visual Studio, WebGL, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro.
DISCLAIMER
Everyone’s experience with mental health and the mental states mentioned in the experience, including dissociation, depression, intrusive thoughts and panic attacks is different and unique. This is a subjective projection of my own experiences with OCD and depression. Please keep in mind that the coping techniques mentioned in this experience are by no means extensive or all-encompassing. Those featured are ones that work for me, and may not work for everyone. Please speak to a mental health professional or visit mind.org.uk for more information on how to treat and cope with mental health issues.