Love on a Plate was a collaboration between Centre for Digital Media graduate students and their 3rd semester industry client, Yangos Hadjiyannis, born out of his interest in utilizing emerging virtual reality technology to enhance one’s cultural connection to food.
Watch the Teaser Trailer! ↪
Developing an XR experience for the Apple Vision Pro presented a complex challenge due to the need for extensive research and the limitations of working with emerging technology. The client aimed to bridge food and culture through a sensory-rich, immersive experience, capitalising on the Vision Pro’s intuitive interaction style over traditional XR headsets. However, integrating visual, audio, aroma, and taste elements while maintaining user connection and enhancing engagement beyond basic gaze and pinch interactions presented significant challenges. To address this, the team conducted in-depth research and explored innovative solutions to maximise the Vision Pro’s capabilities, incorporating advanced sensory technologies and carefully crafted 3D assets to deliver a cutting-edge cultural experience that connected users to food and each other in entirely new ways.
The 2024 Signals Beta Lounge Love on a Plate experience allowed users to virtually enter the professional kitchen of Chef Nagata, and join him in crafting a Japanese/French fusion dish. This immersive experience culminated in a special surprise at the end: a real-life version of their creme brulee for users to enjoy!
Meet the Team
Team Catflix
is a talented group of master’s students from the Centre for Digital Media’s Class of December 2024 (Cohort 18). For one dynamic semester, Hannah Meng, Elizabeth Frone, Carola Li, Hanyue Zhang, Jingyu (Caterina) Mao, Zimo Wu, Sally Park, and Anh Vu combined their diverse skills to create the innovative Love on a Plate project. Under the guidance of lead faculty Bill (Di) Zhao and in collaboration with their client Yangos Hadjiyannis, the team brought their creative vision to life through a blend of design, technology, and storytelling.
Yangos Hadjiyannis
is an International Entrepreneur, Creative Director, and Digital Media Strategist with over 20 years of experience. Directed more than 250 digital, immersive projects, events, pitches, and campaigns. His creative spark is fuelled when incubating novel, cultural, diverse, human-centred experiences at scale, that transport his audiences on voyages between realities.
Growing up on the island of Cyprus within Mediterranean and Colombian heritage he was inspired to find ways to bridge cultures together. Driven to create impactful media experiences that celebrate cultural intersectionality and evoke a sense of awe, that connects us all.
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Full Credits:
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Creative Director: Yangos Hadjiyannis
Executive Producer: Artur Kononuk
Producer:Â Juan Ramon Sanchez Velar
Project Advisor: Bill Zhao
Lead Project Manager: Hannah Meng
Assistant Project Manager: Elizabeth Frone
Lead Developer: Zimo Wu
Developers: Sally Park, Anh Vu
Working location and additional equipment provided by the Centre for Digital Media.
Narrative Designer: Elizabeth Frone
Lead 3D Artist: Carola Li
3D Artist: Hanyue Zhang
UX/UI Designer: Caterina Mao
Director: Yangos Hadjiyannis
Script Writer & Supervisor: Elizabeth Frone
Corporate Chef & Talent: Daryle Nagata
Production Managers: Elizabeth Frone, Hannah Meng
Production Designers: Elizabeth Frone, Yangos Hadjiyannis
Directors of Photography: Yangos Hadjiyannis, Elizabeth Frone
Cinematographer: Andreas Psaltis
Lighting & Sound Technician:Â Andreas Psaltis
Filming location provided by Premium Brands Holdings Corporation.
Supervising Editor: Yangos Hadjiyannis
Editor: Elizabeth Frone
Assistant Editor:Â Andreas Psaltis
Colourists:Â Yangos Hadjiyannis, Elizabeth Frone
Sound Designer: Dr. Patrick Pennefather
Sound Editor:Â Elizabeth Frone
Chef:Â Daryle Nagata
Docents: Hannah Meng, Carola Li, Yangos Hadjiyannis
Photographer: Jess Mac
Beta Lounge event hosted during the 2024 Signals Creative Tech Expo by DigiBC. Additional Apple Vision Pro headset also provided by DigiBC.Â