{"id":1,"date":"2026-01-20T16:22:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/?p=1"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:46:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T22:46:42","slug":"hello-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/hello-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 1 &#8211; Kick off"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>This Week&#8217;s Goals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-054f76b7200858362f616811bced42e9\">This week focused on getting the project moving in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" class=\"wp-block-list has-contrast-background-color has-background has-small-font-size\">\n<li>Align on project direction after visiting our client and confirming goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start early discovery by reaching out to professional welding educators for insight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our Team<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce155fab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2450-edited-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23b65280484830ded4c13e83ce8272ca\"><strong>Yuelin Liu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a73f752bdd2c0dea55edede5bd3ef9a7\" style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.5\">Producer<br>Experience Designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce155fab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Image_20260122_61036_167-PM-edited-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-02848f7eb89902e6dd25517ecd4ec41c\"><strong>Barry Yuan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fd6c972ae36c685b8808608de510b407\" style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.5\">Assistant Producer<br>Technical Artists<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce155fab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-30-edited-1-scaled.jpg 1921w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dc4e90e4d837a47d05ff84d1b266580b\"><strong>Ethan Wills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3588a998b0449f6386a61294192b753\" style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.5\">Game Designer<br>Sound Designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce155fab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-182216-edited-1-768x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-182216-edited-1-768x1023.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-182216-edited-1-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-182216-edited-1-1153x1536.png 1153w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-182216-edited-1.png 1326w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50115d70584ca3d47be046e65516c831\"><strong>Alvin Li<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4f2b3454b8e235666d8bbe86b3a725d7\" style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.5\">Technical Artist<br>Sound Designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce155fab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025_Large_-37-edited-scaled.jpg 1921w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-623971baa4fb4035435836c91c462761\"><strong>Zelin Chen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d6386ad6edf06b4b13bd34f0cdf5ed56\" style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.5\">Programmer<br>Techical Designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Client Visit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dinas-Profile-240x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dinas-Profile-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dinas-Profile.png 529w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b6c1f246 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"138\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MFI-logo-300x138.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MFI-logo-300x138.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MFI-logo.png 517w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-6766545c5bc832ad5673cc1e25404dea\"><strong>Dina El Zanfaly<\/strong><br><em>School of Design, Carnegie Mellon University<\/em><br><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/embodiedcomputations.org\/project\/mixed-reality-in-situ-welding\">Mixed Reality In-situ Welding<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-054c66d1c68318a7eed9666c2f2048a5\">At CMU\u2019s Design Department, researchers are developing a new way to train welders by applying emerging technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\" class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-Demo.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-956741afcb3dbd0620b036471d1194b9\">With financial support from the <strong>Manufacturing Futures Institute (MFI)<\/strong> seed funding program, Dina El-Zanfaly and Daragh Byrne, an associate teaching professor in the School of Architecture, worked with a team of researchers to develop an extended reality (XR) welding helmet and torch system to help welders acquire the embodied knowledge they need to master the challenging skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Welding-Torch-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-49\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gear-Up-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ARWeld-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Client Needs<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-3ef605c9c40e528b93e42b056c96a27e\">The existing system focuses on traditional, skill-based welding simulation. Our role is to explore how we can add a <strong>gamified experience layer<\/strong> that improves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\">Motivation to keep practicing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\">Overall engagement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\">User retention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Project Goal<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-contrast-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-8a26a4f6490481b23fd1a4937d70ad16\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);line-height:1.5\"><strong>A gamified VR welding experience<\/strong> that transforms players from having little interest or confidence in welding into learners who develop genuine curiosity, confidence, and motivation to pursue welding more seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a77d9b8179fd5cc5aeb8018b2a47394d\"><strong>Brainstorming<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/composition-box-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-1024x724.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-1024x724.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-768x543.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-1536x1086.png 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/concept-art-1-1-2048x1448.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f55ed8d46c069332948bf378475232ee\">Through quick playtests and informal feedback with classmates and faculty, a strong early preference emerged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-914150085880d95988d29cf97fc45c6d\"><em><strong>Players liked the idea of being a maintenance worker in outer space, with an urgent goal that makes welding feel meaningful.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Professional Resource Outreach<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"531\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/john-fulmer.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/john-fulmer.png 531w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/john-fulmer-240x300.png 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 531px) 100vw, 531px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-41323372179d65a4904b37cff43979bd\">With extensive experience teaching metalwork and supporting research-driven projects, John offered valuable insights on what to keep in mind when designing our game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d6b9ab57 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tech-spark.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tech-spark.png 934w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tech-spark-300x71.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tech-spark-768x183.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-mdm-large-font-size wp-elements-9b30e9354c5a499979e766f4165ee896\"><strong>John Fulmer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-e14979ccc628f50cec89e4b5663bf732\"><em>College of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-contrast-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-0925a33a4ba87a2309b95a45463258ff\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);line-height:1.5\"><em>\u201c<strong>Hurrying is the worst thing.<\/strong> Take your time. Do it right, over and over again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-contrast-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-7b8dd3cd1ae730148b7d233aa4fb66c5\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);line-height:1.5\"><em><em>\u201c<\/em><strong><em>Sticking things together<\/em><\/strong><em> <\/em><em>is\u2026 kind of addictive, like the cocaine effect.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Week&#8217;s Goals This week focused on getting the project moving in two ways: Our Team Yuelin Liu ProducerExperience Designer Barry Yuan Assistant ProducerTechnical Artists Ethan Wills Game DesignerSound Designer Alvin Li Technical ArtistSound Designer Zelin Chen ProgrammerTechical Designer Client Visit Dina El ZanfalySchool of Design, Carnegie Mellon University Mixed Reality In-situ Welding At CMU\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-concepting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":652,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions\/652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}