Throughout my academic journey in the school of IAS, I've been able to use strong critical and creative thinking skills that have really helped me to approach new and complex problems with perspective and interesting solutions as well. To me, critical thinking means not only identifying previous assumptions of others but also understanding how they have shaped outcomes in our objective reality. In collaboration with others, we look at multiple viewpoints, talk about them, and then create with all of our unique perspectives to allow for deeper and more meaningful work. Two projects that I believe particularly showcase these skills are my research paper "Intersecting Realities: Exploring the Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Implications of VR and AR Technologies" and the music video I helped create for ARZE's song "Stray." 

In "Intersecting Realities," I delved into the multifaceted impacts of virtual reality and augmented reality on human interaction and well-being. Coming from a background in 3D modeling, 3D environment design and production, I was getting  interested in the social and emotional dimensions these technologies introduced. I critically examined how VR and AR influence mental health, social connections, and cognitive functions. This required me to identify underlying assumptions for instance, the belief that increased virtual interaction equates to better social well-being and analyze how these assumptions informed our real world outcomes. I attempted to assess multiple perspectives by exploring both the optimistic views of technology enthusiasts and the cautionary stances of psychologists concerned about potential isolation. Engaging with these differing viewpoints allowed me to develop a more balanced understanding and contribute thoughtfully to the ongoing debate about VR and AR's role in society. This was honestly one of the first times I was able to hone my skills in interpretation, analysis, and evaluation, really delving into and tackling critical and creative thinking with the definition in mind.

In my second project, "Stray", it was on eof th emost fun and rewarding creative projects that required me to conceptualize and execute a visual narrative from start to finish. Creating this video involved a lot of creative thinking and collaboration to go along with it. I had to talk to the artist to really get in his head and then envision how to translate his emotions into visuals that made sense. We then planned each shot, considering lighting, camera angles, and pacing to tell the best story and mood of the video. I also had to innovate solutions to practical challenges, such as filming in extremely cold weather on a beach. Critical thinking definitley played a crucial role herel. I needed to believe in the imagery and narrative and adjust the elements to align with our ARZE’s vision. 

Both projects I believe demonstrate my ability to use critical and creative thinking effectively. Now on top of my definition I engaged with diverse perspectives,reflected, and in the end produces work that is both meaningful and original. I'm confident that the knowledge and skills I've gained have expanded my ability to think critically and creatively, allowing me to apply these insights to future challenges and opportunities.

Onuma, Ken. "Stray Music Video for ARZE." BISMCS 472 Advanced Media Production Workshop. February 1, 2024.

Onuma, Ken. "Intersecting Realities: Exploring the Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Implications
of VR and AR Technologies." B WRIT 135, 6/5/23.