Versailles VR
The palace is yours.
An original project for Google
Preserving History Through Immersive Storytelling
A collaboration
with USC Foundations
and Claims Conference
Inside Kristallnacht
- Immersive Experiences
- VR / XR / MR
- Real-Time 3D
A collaboration
with USC Foundations
and Claims Conference
"Inside Kristallnacht" is an innovative project designed to deliver a deeply immersive educational experience about the events of November 9-10, 1938. Developed collaboratively with the Claims Conference, the project aimed to preserve and honor the legacy of Kristallnacht survivors by sharing the personal story of Charlotte Knobloch. The primary objective was to enhance historical awareness and empathy, particularly among younger, digital-native audiences.
Historical
accuracy
Makemepulse approached this project with a commitment to historical accuracy and technological innovation. Collaborating closely with historians from the Claims Conference, we utilized archival images and testimonies to ensure every aspect of the experience was a faithful reproduction of the era. This meticulous attention to detail was coupled with a user-centered design approach, allowing us to create an intuitive and emotionally engaging platform. Our creative process involved rigorous research, prototyping, and collaboration with Charlotte to authentically convey her narrative.
Gallery
Authenticity and
emotional resonance
The artistic vision for "Inside Kristallnacht" was to create an immersive XR experience that not only tells a story but invites users to deeply engage with history through a visually and emotionally compelling journey. Our art direction focused on authenticity and emotional resonance, drawing from archival materials to faithfully recreate the atmosphere of 1938 Munich.
Mental palace
A unique aspect of the concept was the use of a "mental palace" framework. This approach was designed to visually represent Charlotte's memories as they are narrated, effectively constructing her mental palace in real time. As Charlotte recounts her experiences, the environments and scenes materialize around the user, creating a dynamic and personal storytelling experience. This method allows users to explore the depth of Charlotte's recollections, providing a vivid and immersive insight into her past.
The dual narrative structure serves as the backbone of the experience, offering users the ability to switch between Charlotte's perspective as a child and her reflections as an adult. This approach allows users to experience four pivotal moments in her life: the impact of Nazi ideology on her childhood, surviving the night of broken glass, her subsequent exile, and the rebuilding of the Ohel Jakob synagogue. Each of these moments is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring historical accuracy and emotional depth.
The environment within the experience is richly detailed, with every visual cue—be it the textures of the buildings, the lighting of the scenes, or the ambient sounds—carefully crafted to transport users back in time. The design team employed a palette that reflects the somber tone of the era while using lighting effects to highlight key narrative moments, drawing users' attention to the emotional core of Charlotte's story.
Incorporating Charlotte's voice and personal testimony added an authentic layer to the narrative, with the sound design meticulously crafted to support the visual elements. The ambient sounds were chosen to enhance the immersive quality, helping users feel present within the scenes without distracting from the narrative.
NanoGL
The "Inside Kristallnacht" project is a testament to the seamless integration of advanced web technologies, ensuring a rich and immersive experience across desktop, mobile, and XR platforms. At the core of its technical architecture is NanoGL, our proprietary rendering engine, which was pivotal in achieving the visual and performance goals of the project.
The project required distinct approaches for camera movement and user interface design across different platforms. On desktop and mobile, we implemented a rail-based camera system to guide users through the narrative, providing a controlled and focused experience. In XR, we developed a teleportation system that allowed users to explore environments more freely, enhancing immersion while still directing the narrative flow.
For the XR interface, we created specific UI movements to accommodate the unique interaction styles of VR. This included the use of custom shaders and 3D positioning for text and interactive elements, ensuring clarity and usability in a VR context.
A powerful
educational tool
"Inside Kristallnacht" has received widespread acclaim for its educational and emotional depth. It has been implemented in over 2,000 New Jersey schools, supported by UNESCO, and showcased internationally in Germany and Israel, with exceptional feedback. The project serves as a powerful educational tool, fostering empathy and understanding of Holocaust history among diverse audiences.
This project underscored the importance of integrating historical expertise and innovative technology to create meaningful educational experiences. The successful blend of XR technology and historical fidelity has set a new benchmark for immersive storytelling. Our approach in "Inside Kristallnacht" will guide future projects, emphasizing empathy and engagement through digital innovation.
Project
References
References
Credits
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With
Awards
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- Site Of The Day
Press
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