Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia Yin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Olivia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

“Smell like Home” is my most meaningful project to date, a successful attempt to integrate the sense of smell into an immersive virtual reality experience. The sense of smell is intrinsically linked to our emotions and memories, making it a powerful tool for storytelling.

For this project, I developed a scent-release device shaped like a camera, which plays a role in recalling memories through pictures. As players “take” a picture of an object within the virtual environment, the device triggers the stories behind that object and releases a corresponding smell. This multi-sensory approach significantly enhances the immersive experience by engaging the sense of smell, creating a deeper emotional connection.

This project also weaves many of my memories and emotions into the narrative. I reconstructed my childhood memories into several 3d virtual environments that resonate with the audience through three unique odors. Each scent is designed to evoke specific memories and emotions, making the virtual world more tangible and relatable.

Olivia, 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?

I’m a game designer and XR developer specializing in level design and world-building, currently working for the AAA video game.

My journey into a creative career began in childhood, influenced by traveling with my architect parents. These experiences have given me a deep interest in spatial design, which has become the foundation of my creative pursuits.

While I delved into my architectural studies, my passion for video games, which I grew up with as a gamer, began to integrate into my academics, presenting a new realm of possibilities. I was fascinated by the virtual worlds of games, offering a boundless canvas where the constraints of physical did not apply. This revelation was crucial in redirecting my career towards game design.

My journey through the transition and integration of various disciplines reflects my ongoing exploration of how space, whether physical or virtual, can create experiences and evoke inner emotions. From my student days of curiously exploring potential creative approaches to game design, I have carried this philosophy into my career in the game industry. Now, I continue to learn and refine my skills through hands-on experience on real-world projects to design more immersive worlds for better player experiences.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

During my graduate study at New York University, exploring extended reality (XR) opened my eyes to its potential for creating immersive experiences that break the conventional boundaries of the screen. I always ask myself what makes an experience more immersive, this led me to integrate sensory elements into my designs in XR experiences.

Building on the theme of transcending conventional gameplay, I developed the game called “Spotlight”, in which players use a real-world flashlight to interact with the game environment and flashlight will become virtual light within the dark space of the game and reveal hidden elements, blending physical and virtual worlds seamlessly.

After experimenting with various interactions, I realized that if I wanted to make the experience accessible to more players, most of whom may only be able to use a keyboard, mouse, or game controller, I wanted to make a more creative and immersive experience based on the interactions that were already available.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I‘ve always been driven by the desire to tell compelling stories and evoke emotions through these virtual worlds, enhancing the immersive experience in creative ways.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a game designer is seeing players fully immerse themselves in the worlds I’ve created and become emotionally connected to the stories. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see players not only enjoy the game but also experience curiosity about the creative elements and design choices.

When a player feels an emotional response, whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or wonder, it validates all the effort and passion I’ve put into the project. Games uniquely engage players on multiple sensory and emotional levels. Seeing my work evoke emotions, spark curiosity, and create memorable experiences is deeply satisfying. Those moments when players express their amazement and delve into discussions about the game’s creative aspects make being a designer truly rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oliviayinjx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviayinspace/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviajxyin/

Image Credits

NYU ITP Document Lab