Anne Ferial (FEFE), is a London-based multi-disciplinary designer, who dreams to bridge culture and technology by way of new structures of accessibility, robotic systems and digital software wizardry. Her main focus on adaptive wearables and her background in print textiles enable her to bring a unique approach to her digital design practice. At the Royal College of Art, Anne has been developing a speculative, therapeutic quest video game titled “Exoblock”, based on her personal story as a stroke survivor and her autobiographical illustration work.
Anne Ferial
At the Royal College of Art, Anne Ferial has been developing a speculative quest-based video game based on her personal story as a stroke survivor. She wants to offer a unique way for young folks recovering from similar trauma, to collect artefacts, the eponymous Exoblocks, to customize an innovative Exocontroller device that will then be used within the environment. The project has centered around her being the patient 0 of the system.
A customizable platform offers the user a wider array of designs for one device and provide an affordable alternative to exclusive and expensive pieces of medical equipment. The game also allows the customization of a specifically created XBOX adaptive controller case, designed for players who wouldn’t need the physical benefits of the Exocontroller, but would still benefit from the mental health benefits of the journey.
In future developments, the Exocontroller will be programmed to fit in a physical therapy plan for stroke recovery, and each aspect of the game will be further studied in depth in a clinical context with psychologists and healthcare professionals.
This approach will ultimately allow patients to gain control over the design of a necessary tool for their recovery, in a playful and therapeutic way. Users will then be invited to partake in a unique 5 level dynamic journey through surrealist environments imbued with audiovisual poetry, providing a space for sensuous healing.
Scavengers through the Oasis
Exoblock Mirror — Customization system, Scavenger character
Scavengers through the Oasis II
Oasis Gameplay — Exoblock - final level, customization system, scavenger character
Based on a digital wardrobe system, the game lets the player update their Exocontroller and character throughout the game, where the customization Exoblocks are collected.
This lets the player choose how they want their controller to look, and create a connection and affiliation with their character, which will also wear the customized controller.
The customization process allows the player agency over the look of their wearable controller. The Exoblock system can also be applied to other gaming handles, like the Xbox Adaptive controller, for which a case was created through the project.
Medium:
mixed digital media (Unity, Blender, Fusion 360, Zbrush)
Exocontroller and Scavenger — Customized Exocontroller, multicolor customization
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
Gold — Customized Exocontroller, Gold
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
Customizable upper arm exoskeleton controller.
The controller is customized throughout the game with the Exoblocks.
Medium:
Mixed digital media (Fusion 360, Zbrush, Unity, Blender), GIF
White and Multicolor — Customized Exocontroller, Multicolor and White
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
Black and white — Customized Exocontroller, Black and White
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
Medium:
Mixed digital media (Fusion 360, Zbrush, Unity, Blender), GIF
XBOX Adaptive Controller Exocase — multicolor
3D render - Fusion 360
XBOX Adaptive Controller Exocase — Gold
3D render - Fusion 360
XBOX Adaptive Controller Exocase — White
3D render - Fusion 360
XBOX Adaptive Controller Exocase — Black
3D render - Fusion 360
Customizable XBOX adaptive controller case, called the Exocase.
The Exocase is customized throughout the game with the Exoblocks.
Medium:
Mixed digital media (Fusion 360, Zbrush, Unity, Blender)
Exoblocks — Exoblock classification
3D Render - Unity
Customization blocks, gathered throughout the game.
Medium:
Mixed digital media (Fusion 360, Zbrush)
leo victoriosis Exoblock — White
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
blazing tunes Exoblock — Clear - resin
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
wolf of grief Exoblock — Black
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
pluma Exoblock — Yellow
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
lady Athena Exoblock — Sage
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
apollo beetle Exoblock — Gold
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
fortuna Exoblock — Red
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
the flight of Apollo Exoblock — White
3D Render - Fusion 360 / Blender
Apollo beetle Exoblock I — Resin
SLA 3d print
Apollo beetle Exoblock II - 3d print — Resin
SLA 3d print
Customization blocks, gathered throughout the game.
Medium:
Mixed digital media (Fusion 360, Zbrush) - resin - PLAIn Collaboration with:
SLA resin 3d Printing
![[untitled]](https://res.cloudinary.com/rca2020/image/upload/f_webp,h_1080,w_1920,c_fill,g_auto,q_auto/v1/rca2021/60c4ab02a98c7847e55450f8-552994?_a=AXAH4S10)
![[untitled]](https://res.cloudinary.com/rca2020/image/upload/f_webp,h_1481,w_1920,c_fill,g_auto,q_auto/v1/rca2021/60c4ab02a98c7847e55450f8-571432?_a=AXAH4S10)
Iteration of the customized Exocontroller, in the white colorway
Medium:
Mixed digital material (Fusion 360, Blender, Zbrush) / Mixed material : PLA, HPLA, resinWES Lunn Design Education Trust
WESLDET Exhibition Award