PRESS RELEASE
1st July 2008 - For Immediate Release
CREATIVE ISLAND LAUNCHED IN SECOND LIFE
Daden Limited and Southampton Solent University (SSU) announce the launch of SSU's Second Life (SL) island 'Solent Life'. Solent Life campus has been developed as both a teaching platform and to showcase the work of students within the creative industries.
The island has been created by virtual world consultants, Daden Limited,
and is totally conceived from mood boards and designs submitted by the
University's Design School.
Just as they would in real life (RL), students studying Fashion Design, Interiors and Digital Music will use the island to showcase their work as well as learning from SL/RL stylists and designers. They will also get a taste of running a commercial business using the design studios on the island to create and concept retail environments.
Solent Life has everything required for staging a fashion show including a catwalk/stage, working lighting desk/rig and music. In addition there is a 60 seat auditorium, cafe, nightclub, an audio shop for teaching music technology, a reference library, a gallery for art exhibitions as well as small stalls where students will be able to exhibit and trade their design ideas in the future.
Solent Life is surrounded by a meandering stream with various forms of wildlife such as a kingfisher that swoops down to catch fish. It also features a unique way of travelling around the island - by bubble. A bubble completely envelopes your avatar and rises into the air to transport you to your chosen destination.
David Burden, Managing Director of Daden Limited said. "In most instances we are asked to reconstruct existing buildings. SSU though saw this as an opportunity to create an interesting and inspirational backdrop for their faculty. This lets them make full use of the opportunities offered by a virtual world."
Suzie Norris, Head of the School of Design from SSU said " We have identified opportunities to explore new teaching practice and methodologies within the virtual learning environment and embarking on developing a virtual Fashion and Lifestyle university campus within Second Life has been truly exciting'.
Virtual Worlds are here to stay so the transition of these 'virtual and interactive life style trends' is providing opportunities to influence emergent perspectives on teaching methodologies where both collaborative and social learning spaces can be explored and enhance the student experience."
Lisa Mann, Academic leader, SSU, says ''Collaboration with other universities and indeed companies abroad and in the UK will provide invaluable 'real life' experiences that would not normally be possible''
Solent Life Campus is a visually stunning space in Second Life and a great backdrop for any SL/RL designer wanting to hold a fashion show, explore an interior concept or mix digital music in a virtual environment.
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Notes for Editors
Daden is a virtual worlds and virtual character consultancy working on the web, in Second Life and other virtual worlds. Our aim is to help clients engage with their audience using some of the most interesting technologies around today. We offer 4 main services:
Inform - help you understand virtual worlds
Involve - build your presence
Integrate - connect SL to/from web services & real world devices
Interact - create virtual characters and chatbots for virtual worlds or websites
Daden's virtual world clients include the University of Coventry, Birmingham City University (and 2 other UK universities), Birmingham City Council, several marketing agencies and consultancies, consumer brands such as Vauxhall, and B2B brands such as CIBA.
Daden are based in Birmingham, UK, and are also virtual tenants at the Serious Games Institute in Coventry.
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY
Southampton Solent University is committed to guaranteeing that all who are able to benefit from higher education can do so. It offers a broad range of academic and professional programmes that consistently ensures excellent employment opportunities for its graduates. The University offers more than 17,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and desigh, media and television, music, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology.
PHOTOS:
Photos are available for download from the Media/Image Library at http://www.daden.co.uk/pages/press_images.html
LINKS:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Solent%20Life/94/97/25
Alternatively search for Solent Life on Second Life
PRESS:
Media enquiries should be addressed to:
DADEN LIMITED
SSU
Soulla Stylianou
RL Client Director
Daden Limited
103 Oxford Rd
Moseley
Birmingham B13 9SG
Tel: 0121 698 8520
Mobile: 07814 14516
Email: soulla.stylianou@daden.co.uk
Jenny Dashley
Press Office
0238031 9079
