About the Creator
Lars Larson graduated from IUPUI with a Master's Degree in Media Arts & Science, with an emphasis on using data visualization to create virtual reality environments.
From a very young age, Lars has loved learning about science, history, and cultures. In elementary school his favorite television programs were Jacque Cousteau documentaries, "Connections" with James Burke, and "NOVA." As a youth he lived in the Philippines, where he learned a language and became comfortable in another culture.
Lars also loves the outdoors, having done a bit of backpacking, kayaking, and camping. He takes his camera on every trip. "I love being out and doing things, but for me, it's about the image. It's important to have good visual documentation," he says.
This project has allowed Lars to combine his interests in the outdoors, history, culture, photography, and visual media.
"I am excited to be able to combine so many of my interests into a project that is not only relevant, but beautiful. It has been a very interesting experience."
Lars lives in Avon, Indiana, with his wife and three children.
Project Timeline
The following Timeline is a general plan of the process and different stages of the project.
January 2013
- Developed and proposed concept
February 2013
- Chose a mentor
July 2013
- Visited Angel Mounds site and met with with site director Mike Linderman
August 2013
- Met with Dr. Jeremy Wilson, content matter expert from the IUPUI School of Anthropology. Dr. Wilson heads up many of the archaeological digs at Angel Mounds.
October 2013
- Received raw survey data from the Glenn Black Laboratory, IU Bloomington.
- Met with Dr. Vijay Lulla of the IUPUI Geography Dept. Dr. Lulla was instrumental in helping me run the survey data through ArcGIS software to make it usable by Maya and Unity 3D softwares.
November 2013
- Obtained processed survey data from the Glenn Black Laboratory
January 2014
- Completed 3D model of site terrain
- Began researching and modeling buildings and landscape items in 3D
March 2014
- Client approval of terrain model
- Began work in Unity 3D game engine
May 2014
- Begin designing usability tests
June 2014
- Implement usability testing
July 2014
- Collect and process usability test data
- Update project per usability test recommendations
August 2014
- Project complete