My Role
Unity developer
UI Artist
Developer (C#)
Tools Used
Unity
Adobe Illustrator
Blender
Overview
Shadowless is an immersive VR experience that explores the power of education to transform lives when prejudices are set aside. Through the interplay of light and shadow, participants will step into the role of a parent navigating their relationship with a “troublesome” kid.
By uncovering the hidden stories and emotions behind labels, players learn to replace judgment with care, fostering growth and connection.
Shadowless
Individual work · 2024
CONTEXT
Why important?
Categorizing students based on academic performance and achievements is rooted in the current education system. However, labels can negatively impact children, lowering self-esteem, and limiting their opportunities for growth and development. I aim to help parents understand kids' struggles under labels, stop reinforcing labels from an adult perspective, ultimately, free the kids from labels.
PROBLEM
Parents struggle to fully understand their children's experiences since they can't see things from their perspective or empathize with their feelings.
RESEARCH
Before bridging the gap, pinpoint the gap:
identify pain points and needs
Understanding the needs of parents
I conducted interviews with 3 parents to better understand challenges they face in the current conversation mode with their children and identify core needs for fostering understanding and empathy.
What I Learned
Through interviews with parents, students, and educators, I uncovered key insights that shaped our decision to use VR as a medium. Instead of placing parents in a child’s perspective, I designed the experience from the teacher's point of view—allowing parents to witness how labels are formed and reinforced within the education system. Here are our three key findings:
01
Labels are often unintentionally created by teachers and reinforced by communication patterns.
I found that teachers frequently use labels like “gifted,” “troublemaker,” or “slow learner” as a shortcut to describe students. These labels are then passed on to parents in meetings or progress reports, shaping how they perceive their child’s abilities and behavior. The VR experience replicates these interactions, helping parents recognize how labels emerge in real classroom settings.
02
Context heavily influences labeling, yet parents rarely see this side of the story.
Teachers often form labels based on classroom dynamics, behavioral expectations, and systemic constraints. For example, a student who struggles to focus in a rigid classroom setting might be labeled as “disruptive,” even though they thrive in hands-on learning environments. By allowing parents to step into a teacher’s shoes, the VR experience reveals how situational factors contribute to labeling—rather than the child’s inherent traits.
03
Experiencing the teacher’s perspective helps parents break the cycle of reinforcing labels at home.
Parents often unknowingly adopt the labels given by teachers, influencing their expectations and interactions with their children. Through VR, they can witness firsthand how labels are formed and how their own biases might be shaped by institutional language. This deeper understanding empowers them to challenge labels rather than reinforce them in their parenting.
IDEATION
Designing a holistic experience to reveal the hidden mechanisms of labeling.
After synthesizing the research, I recognized that addressing the issue of labeling required more than just an isolated VR scenario—it needed an immersive environment that guides users through the entire labeling process. To achieve this, I designed an interactive VR space that includes a building layout, a structured user flow, and thoughtfully crafted NPC characters that simulate real-world teacher-parent interactions.
DESIGN PROCESS
NPC Dialogue & Interaction Design
To ensure an immersive and emotionally engaging experience, I designed interactive dialogue and scenario that to simulate real-world situations where labeling occurs.
NPC Design
To make the experience feel authentic, I created diverse student and parent NPCs with unique backgrounds and behaviors.
FINAL OUTPUT
Space Design
I conceptualized a multi-room educational space that mirrors real-life school environments.
