Unreal Explorations
Facilitated by:
Somar Jaafar
Session 1: August 15 • 2pm – 5pm
Session 2: August 16 • 2pm – 5pm
$65 — Limited to 10 spots
Language of instruction: English
If the cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Real time 3D Game Engines have made the creation of interactive experiences more accessible, allowing for new possibilities in digital world-building and non-linear media art.
This two-part beginner workshop offers a practical and accessible introduction to Unreal Engine 5, guiding participants through the process of building a personalized interactive 3D environment from the ground up.
Participants will explore environment design, asset importing, materials, lighting, spatialized sound, and simple interactions. You’ll learn how to source 3D assets, incorporate personal 3D scans, and bring these different elements together into a cohesive virtual space. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have created an interactive environment they can walk through and explore.
Session 1 — August 15
We will learn the fundamentals of Unreal Engine 5. Focus will be placed on understanding the user interface, manipulating 3D objects, and implementing movement and collision. Sourcing and importing 3D assets will be discussed, along with basic 3D scanning using a phone. Participants will leave with the relevant info to prepare 3D assets which we will use as building blocks for a personalized and unique playable experience in session 2.
Session 2 — August 16
This session will focus on arranging different 3D assets into a cohesive Unreal Engine environment. We will be Integrating them together with materials, lighting, and sound. We will cover integrating spatialized audio to bring the scene to life. Finally, post processing techniques and simple interactivity will be shown.
Machines capable of running Unreal Engine 5 will be available for both sessions. Participants who prefer to use their own laptop should confirm that it meets the Unreal Engine 5 hardware requirements.
Workshop Requirements
- Mobile Phone (iPhone or Android) for 3D scanning
- 3D modelling skills are not required but considered an asset
Somar ‘ergosoom’ Jaafar is a Tiohtià:ke/Montreal based artist, XR designer, and game developer. He builds interactive experiences in the form of indie games, Augmented Reality art, and immersive installations. He is interested in harnessing real time technology to create interactive and infinitely mutable audiovisual experiences. His AR Instagram filters have reached millions of users around the globe. He has worked professionally on VFX for films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) and The Fall Guy (2024), as well as games such as Override 2 (2020).
