The Platinum project


Riku Roihankorpi of UTA explains things for people at Hell's Gate

This project started with planning and team forming at the Tampere University OASIS premises. We went through the Hero's Journey model and talked about character types, but what I think made this project special, was how we were every day somehow connected to the nature. After all, our goal was to create a virtual reality app or game that would advance well-being and relax people with help of a forest-like experience.

Prof. Hanna Wirman from Hong Kong Polytechnic (left), at Lake Halimasjärvi with students
Lake Halimasjärvi in Tampere, climbing towards the Hero's Reward?
Meeting an Archetype: The Lake's Guardian (who measured the water quality)

I think the highlight of this project was the trip to Hell's Gorge, which is located in Helvetinjärvi (Hell's Lake) National park in Finland. 

Using our senses, sensei
Our guests from Hong Kong and Beijing universities were able to experience real Finnish nature and pick up some berries and mushrooms. Our task on that day was to experience nature with our senses and I think that was a nice way to think about the different aspects of the nature. For example, nature wouldn't feel the same if it did smell like a city centre.

Photo: E.Kyllönen

Photo: E.Kyllönen
 
Are these symbols of an ancient culture?

Lots of cute little Hell froggies!


Our whole week was an intense mix of walking in nature and building games and apps prototypes in our teams. 

We had abnormally good weather

A moment of relaxing at Hell's Lake (Helvetinjärvi)

This is NOT why they call this place Hell, but the climb feels like it anyway

The Heroes have returned from Hell, and are now Masters of Two Worlds. A moment of Dao
But it was also a great way to meet new people and work in international team while trying to build something different. I'm excited to see what happens when we go to Hong Kong and have our second Platinum workshop, in October 2016.

Platinum is more than just walking in forests

Text: Eve Kyllönen 2016
Photos: Eve Kyllönen, Carita Forsgren
Edits & Photo captions: CF

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