We were lucky to catch up with Xin Feng recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Xin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is “Gaze into Legends,” a collaborative effort with independent artist Meichun Cai. This project is especially significant to me because it represents a convergence of my passion for mythology, VR technology, and innovative storytelling.

“Gaze into Legends” blends mythology with VR to create engaging storytelling experiences through gaze interaction. Showcased at the ISEA Creative Works online exhibition in June 2024, this project utilizes eye-tracking technology to allow users to navigate mythological landscapes. This results in a deeply immersive experience, where the user’s gaze controls the narrative flow and interactions within the mythological world.

The backstory of this project is rooted in our desire to move beyond the oversimplified symbols of static storytelling or traditional 2D storytelling media. We aimed to explore new ways of experiencing and understanding mythological stories by pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling and leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a unique, interactive experience. The use of eye-tracking technology was particularly groundbreaking, as it enabled us to create a seamless and intuitive way for users to engage with the content.

Working on “Gaze into Legends” was a transformative experience. It allowed me to explore the intersection of technology and mythology in a meaningful way, while also challenging me to think creatively about how to utilize VR to evoke emotional responses and engagement. This project is meaningful to me because it not only showcases the potential of VR and gaze interaction but also highlights the enduring power of mythological stories in the digital age.

Xin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not have read about me before, my name is Xin Feng, and I am a VR creative technologist with a master’s degree in Design Studies of Technology from Harvard University. My work spans game development, interaction design, XR prototyping, and web development, with an emphasis on human-centered multimodal experiences that connect the digital and physical realms. My research areas include social well-being in XR, affective computing, and immersive storytelling.

My journey into the artistic and creative field began with a deep passion for using technology and design to enhance individual well-being across various aspects such as health, cognition, emotion, and social relationships. From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of exploring and creating new things, and this passion only grew stronger as I delved deeper into the design world during my education. Starting as an architecture major, I gained a foundational understanding of design principles and human-centric approaches, which greatly influenced my creative journey and shaped my focus on human-centered design.

Professionally, I began my career at Tencent Game Studio as a technical artist, specializing in Houdini generative design for a 3A IP game. In this role, I focused on delivering a human-centered gameplay experience, combining my technical skills with artistic creativity to create memorable and engaging user experiences. This experience enriched my creative path and set the stage for my future work.

One of the pioneering projects I’ve worked on, in collaboration with Tiange Wang, is SinkInSync, which integrates Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology with VR to create shared emotional and cognitive experiences. By harnessing EEG technology, SinkInSync synchronizes users’ brainwaves in VR environments, fostering social bonds and emotional connections. Another notable project, SynCocreate, continues this exploration by allowing pairs of individuals to interact with each other’s brainwave data in real time within a 3D virtual canvas, enhancing creativity and deepening interpersonal connections.

What sets me apart is my focus on thinking creatively, generating novel ideas, and crafting impactful interactions that resonate with audiences. My work combining BCI and VR technologies within the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) domain aims to pave the way for a new era of interactive experiences that prioritize emotional engagement and shared presence.

As I continue to push the boundaries of VR technology, I look forward to connecting with others who share a passion for innovative, transformative experiences. Whether you are a fellow creator, a technology enthusiast, or someone interested in the intersection of art and science, I am excited to share this journey with you and explore new possibilities together.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most fulfilling aspect of being an artist or creative lies in the dynamic interactions with the audience and the meaningful feedback that ensues. Witnessing the reactions of individuals engaging with our work, particularly during discussions and interactive exhibitions, provides a deep sense of satisfaction. A memorable experience at Siggraph stands out, where our interactive installation elicited a profound response from the audience, leading to organic conversations and connections among those who experienced it together.

What makes this aspect particularly rewarding is the realization that our creative endeavors can have a tangible impact on social connectedness and spark creativity in others. Seeing people connect on a deeper level or feel inspired to engage in dialogue and exploration as a result of our work is both gratifying and motivating. It reinforces the significance of art and creativity in fostering meaningful connections and enhancing the human experience, making every creative endeavor a fulfilling path toward collective enrichment.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is fueled by a passion for exploring the convergence of art, technology, and human experience to craft transformative and immersive virtual reality encounters. I strive to redefine our interactions with digital content and the way narratives unfold by harnessing cutting-edge technologies like Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and eye-tracking. My mission is twofold: to develop visually captivating and engaging experiences while also placing a strong emphasis on emotional engagement and shared presence. This commitment drives me to shape the future landscape of human-computer interactions in the digital age. Innovation and the creation of impactful experiences lie at the heart of my work, propelling me forward in my role as a VR creative technologist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _xinf.manx
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/xin-feng-108135192

Image Credits

Photo credit:
Collaborative work by Xin Feng and Tiange Wang[Figure 1-2]
Collaborative work by Xin Feng and Meichun Cai[Figure 3-4]
Signals Curator Team | Vancouver International Film Festival [Figure 5]