Of all of the uncorrected vision cases in the world, half are in China. REAP screens students’ vision in rural China and provides free prescription glasses.

My goal? Tell an immersive story about classroom life when the world is simply a blur.

REAP’s research shows providing students with eyeglasses doubles their academic achievement. With free screenings at school and free prescription glasses, some students still aren’t picking up their glasses from REAP’s vision care centers.

the story

In this three act structure, we get a glimpse at the life of a child, sitting in the back of the classroom, struggling to learn. The teacher calls on you to answer the question on the blackboard but the blackboard is all but a blur. All eyes are on you as you try to answer.

Crafting the world

For VR, every single pixel on the screen matters to create a compelling narrative world. We’re world-building. I was fortunate to have filmed at a school in rural China. We had to do meticulous planning on how the students moved, where the teacher stood, how they interacted with props.

Designing for the Target Audience

The target audience of the film is the teachers and parents around rural schools — AKA the decision makers in the community. We used an intuitive interface design — visual arrows and spatial audio to guide viewers’ attention to the main subject. And we used a familiar setting — the rural school.

VR for Good

With this experience, we’re using VR for good to help the teachers and parents around rural schools — AKA the decision makers in the community — the social and academic effects of uncorrected vision. In addition, this experience allows REAP’s investors to get a glimpse at the value of a pair of glasses. Seeing is learning.

Status

The VR piece for good is currently distributing around REAP’s vision care centers. There is also another VR kit at Stanford University for donors. Please contact me to learn more.

Press

REAP’s Featured Student