Overview
Season Rhythm is an interactive VR exhibition designed to bring ancient Chinese wisdom into modern digital experiences. Rooted in the 24 solar terms, a traditional timekeeping system based on the Earth’s position in its orbit, the project explores how nature’s rhythms shape human life.
Through virtual reality, visitors step inside traditional Chinese paintings, experiencing seasonal changes, poetry, and customs firsthand. By integrating gameplay mechanics, the exhibition fosters a deeper emotional connection with traditional culture and encourages users to reflect on their relationship with time and nature.
The team
Individual Work
Year
Sep 2023 -Oct 2023
Process
Inspiration & Research
The initial idea stemmed from the realization that modern life distances people from nature’s rhythm. Factors such as technological convenience, commercialized festivals, and indoor lifestyles have weakened cultural traditions tied to the seasons. This project seeks to reconnect audiences with nature and ancient Chinese wisdom in an engaging, interactive format.
To refine the concept, I conducted historical research and user interviews, focusing on:
✔ Ancient Chinese paintings that depict seasonal customs and daily life.
✔ Cultural texts that detail traditions, agricultural activities, and poetry linked to the 24 solar terms.
✔ User engagement studies on how people interact with exhibitions and what makes immersive experiences memorable.
Concept & Interaction Design
The exhibition is set in a traditional Chinese courtyard, where each room represents a different season. Visitors navigate through:
🏮 Entering ancient paintings – Step inside renowned artwork, experiencing historical scenery and traditions firsthand.
📜 Poetry narration – Classical Chinese poetry plays as users explore, enhancing cultural immersion.
🌱 Collecting seasonal elements – Players gather plants and cultural symbols, which transform into cuisine or customs.
🔑 Puzzle-solving progression – To advance, users must engage with the environment and discover cultural clues.
Technical Development
I designed the exhibition’s user experience and interface while integrating VR interaction elements. The experience was built using Unity, with assets inspired by traditional Chinese gardens and historical paintings. AI-generated sketches helped visualize the concept early on.
Key technical challenges included:
🎨 Maintaining artistic authenticity – Ensuring 3D environments retained the essence of classical Chinese paintings.
🕹 Optimizing user navigation – Creating an intuitive movement system that aligns with the storytelling flow.
🎧 Enhancing engagement – Incorporating voice narration, soundscapes, and subtle animations to elevate immersion.
Outcome
The final prototype successfully translated traditional Chinese seasonal culture into an engaging VR format, receiving positive feedback:
90%(9/10) of testers found the exhibition’s artistic style and immersive approach unique and engaging.
Users expressed emotional resonance, stating it made them more aware of nature’s rhythm and cultural traditions.
High interaction rates – Visitors spent an average of 12 minutes per session, indicating strong engagement.
Presented at a showcase event at my university, where attendees praised its fusion of art, history, and modern technology.
By blending cultural heritage with interactive technology, Season Rhythm offers a new way to experience time and tradition, proving that immersive storytelling can revive historical knowledge for modern audiences.
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