Shu Zhang

My project title is Zen Virtual Nature Scenery - Exploring the application of Zen aesthetics in virtual landscape design.

This research project explores how Zen aesthetics creates a way of designing virtual contemplative landscapes.

Zen aesthetics are traditional oriental aesthetics, which refers to the aesthetic ideology produced and developed under the influence of Zen Buddhism. In this project, the contemplative landscape refers to the virtual natural landscape created by the designer to calm the mind.

I discuss and analyze the 5 most design-related concepts in Zen aesthetics and their derived aesthetic characteristics, which I refer to when designing virtual natural landscapes. This project, based on some of New Zealand's famous natural landscapes, explores the process of creating and designing virtual landscapes with Zen aesthetics. The results of the design practice are presented in the 5 VR animations.

This 2 minute short film is an overview of the 5 virtual landscapes I have designed. https://youtu.be/yXZr1Aue2ic

The following are VR animations of the virtual landscapes, which can be imported into the VR headset to watch.