A classic concept with a new Virtual reality spin.
I decided to base one of my third-year projects on one of my favourite TV shows, Doctor Who, and make a VR TARDIS. This project was mostly an art piece, as I had to create all the parts you would expect to see to make it recognisable as a TARDIS. However, the biggest challenge was creating the “bigger on the inside” effect. I wanted to make sure that when exploring or playing in VR that you would be able to experience a real TARDIS, as on Doctor Who, and look round the smaller exterior, and seamlessly enter into a much larger interior. I resolved this by building the 3D models of the inside and outside in separate locations (with a floor in between), and then as you stepped into the doorway (from the exterior), an instant teleport feed transported you into the interior, and vice versa on exiting. In addition, a camera feed showed you the inside or outside, if you were looking through the doorway.
I had a lot of fun experimenting with the style and textures in this project to give it that sci-fi, alien look that we all know and love but with my own spin. I researched all of the previous TARDIS interiors, and identified the key elements, and then created the TARDIS design that I’d like if I were the Doctor. The key things I needed to create were the central console, the circles in the walls, the beams, and some Gallifreyan ‘Easter eggs’ (I found a translator so they say things like my name, TARDIS, VR, etc) to make sure it was recognisable.
I also enjoyed adding simple animations and sound effects in order to simulate a working TARDIS.
Next steps
Due to the timescales involved, I wasn’t able to add as many details as I’d wanted (especially on the console), and so at some point I would like to revisit this project to add more assets and finish it off. In addition, I’d potentially like to re-texture certain assets using new techniques I have learned since university. And my original intention had been to experiment with the finished designs in a virtual production studio to see if I could an actor could interact with my designs to make it look like they were walking around the outside, and then entering and walking round the inside.
Playthough video
Project gallary
