Class 5: 1-on-1 with Camila - Outline Review
Week 5 - reviewing annotated outline, paper writing strategy, and VR framing in the thesis.
February 23, 2026
1-on-1 with Camila
Reviewing the Annotated Outline
Camila reviewed the annotated outline and confirmed the structure is in good shape. She noted that since I already have 2-3 pages of content mapped out, the next step is to write the actual table of contents with page numbers (even fake ones for now). Getting the TOC done now means one less thing to worry about later.
She also reminded me that I need an abstract, and suggested that writing both the TOC and abstract could be today’s homework.
List of Figures
Camila recommended making a list of all the images I’ll need for the paper. Since mine is a practice-based research project, the paper will heavily feature images, and having a list ready will help in two ways:
- Writing: knowing which figures go where helps structure the narrative
- Prototyping: when building the experience, I’ll already know what images I need to capture or prepare (e.g., “I need an image of my shoebox that opens up to reveal this memory”)
I already have many images from the Gaussian splatting process. The task is to organize them and identify any gaps.
Where VR Fits in the Paper
We discussed where the VR component should live in the paper structure. Camila suggested it could go under either Technical Implementation or Experience Design, and leaned toward Experience Design since the paper’s strength is in the narrative and story.
Key points she emphasized for the VR writing:
- Why VR is integral to the piece, not just a delivery mechanism
- VR as a new medium for a lighting designer, an extension of spatial experience design
- The transition from present to memory: write about how putting on the headset activates memories in a different way than looking at photos or video
- How VR thinking shapes design decisions: as I design the narrative and the viewer’s path through the space, document how VR as a medium influences those choices
Writing Strategy for Future Questions
Camila advised thinking ahead about questions people might ask (especially about sound and other sensory elements not yet implemented). The strategy:
- In the paper, focus the main body on what the project is: the storytelling, narrative, and experiential design
- Frame the experience journey clearly: from the physical present, to putting on the headset, to entering the story
- In the conclusion / next steps section, address future directions (sound, touch, multi-sensory expansion) so reviewers know these were considered even if they were not the current focus
- Frame it as: “My project mainly focuses on X. I want to deeply understand this so that I can do Y and Z in the future.”
This way, potential critiques about missing elements are preemptively addressed without derailing the core narrative.
Homework
- Write actual table of contents with page numbers
- Write abstract
- If extra bandwidth: compile list of figures (images needed for the paper)
Key Takeaways
- TOC and abstract are the immediate deliverables. Getting these done locks in the paper structure.
- List of figures doubles as a production checklist. Making it now helps both the paper and the prototyping process.
- Write about VR as a medium, not just a tool. Frame it as an extension of spatial/lighting design practice.
- Address the transition moment. The shift from physical present to VR memory space is worth documenting as a design decision.
- Use the conclusion to handle scope questions. Acknowledge future directions so the main body can stay focused.