Mr. Panda

My project is titled Mr. Panda, and it features a 3D model of my childhood panda stuffed animal. I was gifted this toy by my grandmother; it was my first ever panda toy, and it kickstarted my obsession with pandas, which I have had the fortune of seeing in China a couple of times. My primary goals for this project were to create a model and AR experience that allowed the viewer to understand the sentimentality and nostalgia associated with this toy through the large scale of the panda as well as the accuracy of the scan. Much time was spent capturing a scan of the stuffed animal using Polycam, and subsequently patching up any missing parts from the scan. The plush nature of the “fur” as well as the wear-and-tear of a well-loved toy were paramount to the success of this model. The toy also sits on its own and at a “near” life size scale to emphasize how important an object as simple as a panda toy can be as well as to allow the viewer to place the panda in multiple places. Ultimately, Mr. Panda uses simplicity and attention to detail to highlight the importance of childhood plushies.