The Father of Virtual reality

Ivan Sutherland is often mentioned as the "Father of Virtual reality" due to his involvement in creating one of the first programs and devices with augmented reality. "The Sword of Damocles," founded by Sutherland in 1996 was attached to a computer and suspended from the ceiling with a metal rod. The headset was fed augmented reality from computer and when peering through the lens, viewers could see the reality that was relayed from the computer. Users could even interact with objects in the virtual world, which was a revolutionary feat and has become an essential experience of modern virtual reality. Ivan Sutherland's "Sword of Damocles" is a turning point for virtual reality machines. Since it was the first device to incorporate user interaction within a virtual space, it was deemed revolutionary and is notably the blueprint decades of following augmented reality development. Using this understanding of the device and it's contribution to modern technology, I aimed to highlight how Sutherland lead the movement in augmented reality development.

Using Adobe Illustrator, several abstractions of both Ivan Sutherland and the "Sword of Damocles" were drafted. Alongside the original virtual reality machine, abstractions of modern devices were taken into done. Modern virtual reality headsets have a distinguishable shape due to the large goggles. Three abstractions of Sutherland, the "Sword of Damocles," and a modern headset each were compiled to create three black and white drafts were created. Since the poster is highlighting Ivan Sutherland, he was placed at the forefront and framed with elements that drew attention to his face. In Draft 1, he is pictured wearing the "Sword of Damocles." Yet he is not given the most attention due to the large abstracted virtual reality headset that overpowers his presence in the bottom-left corner. This is unlike in Drafts 2 and 3, where Sutherland is pronounced and given attention due to his size and positioning closer to the center of the page. 

I decided to use a neutral-scheme that used accents of complimentary blue and green in order to reflect on the time period and how images and videos were pictured. The tans and browns were used to allude to the color of his hair and skin, however his glasses are left black intentionally to create a recognizable silhouette. The green and blue add an accent of color to his name and the year the "Sword of Damocles" was invented order to emphasize the information. The overall design of the Virtual Reality Inventor Poster is inspired by an olden magazine that featured large bold type and an emphasis on the individual featured. The "Sword of Damocles" is pictured on the bottom left, but is opaque in order to leave the impression it is printed onto the poster. Layering Sutherland's portrait above the "Sword of Damocles" also highlights Sutherland over his invention. It recognizes that while the virtual reality machine is an amazing invention, he should be celebrated for his contributions to the expanding field of augmented reality. Lastly, there is abstracted imagery from the line work of a current virtual reality headset layered underneath the poster to provide texture and contrast. This abstraction near the top of the page symbolizes what is on the horizon. Sutherland's contribution to virtual reality research has led modern developers to creating the virtual reality headsets known today. Using that imagery alludes to how his past invention laid the blueprint for the future.