Style Switching and Material Dynamics in a Virtual Reality Bar Environment
Zitao“ Oberon”
Zitao“ Oberon” OUYANG
Art Creation
Style Switching and Material Dynamics in a Virtual Reality Bar Environment
For my thesis project, I created a virtual reality bar experience that transitions between three iconic visual styles, including Vincent van Gogh’ s expressive brushwork, Hayao Miyazaki’ s whimsical animation, and Roy Lichtenstein’ s bold pop art.
The project explores the integration of dynamic materials, stylistic adaptation, and immersive room-scale VR design to build an interactive and narrativedriven space. Each style features unique dynamic material tailored to reinforce its visual identity.
In the Van Gogh level, players mix paint in real time, with materials simulating expressive brush textures and color blending. The Ghibli-inspired level includes a fire-casting mechanic, where enchanted flames ignite wooden surfaces and transition them into scorched
charcoal. In the Lichtenstein level, a sodatriggered burst creates stylized firework effects, echoing the explosive energy of comic panels.
Set within a room-scale VR environment, the project allows players to move freely through the space and trigger stylistic shifts through physical interaction. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the experience combines visual fidelity with responsive design, using dynamic materials and Niagara VFX to bring each art style to life.
This project showcases how visual style and interaction can be tightly linked through real-time materials, offering a fresh approach to immersive storytelling. It contributes to the growing dialogue between traditional art influences and contemporary game design, highlighting the creative potential of stylized VR environments.
12 ART CREATION