Weaving Worlds: The Vital Role of Narratives in Shaping Cultures
Studying Media Arts, Design and Technology (MADTech) at NC State University was a special experience. The program focuses on storytelling and immersive narratives using the latest technologies in the design fields like VR, AR, and gaming engines while it provides skills in storyboarding, writing, and coding.
During my first year, I created a short animation called “I Am a Woman”. It was made in Unreal Engine while using motion capture technology and MetaHumans.
This animation was a tool to share my culture and language with my colleagues and professors. I captured myself reciting a poem by Mahmoud Darwish in both languages, English and Arabic, in an environment that represents Wadi Ghuweir in Jordan. I also created a character that has my features using Reality Capture technologies and the MetaHumans tech.
The goal of this project was to try and reshape some of the stereotypes around the Middle East and raise more questions about the Jordanian culture and lifestyle.
I believe this piece reflects the essence of my Fulbright program: exchanging culture, encouraging questions, and bringing people together. After presenting the animation, students and faculty knew a little more about Jordan and several expressed their curiosity and intent to visit.
This experience taught me the importance of the arts in presenting cultures and building bridges between nations.It showed me that people can still have compassion for the other and get over their differences. Stories are such a powerful tool that can preserve tradition and expose you to different perspectives.
The animation was my seed project, a prototype that will help me through my final thesis project in my second year and guide my career path once I graduate. I want to continue making animations that tell stories of my people and show the richness of the Middle East while using the latest technologies available.
For future Art and Design Fulbrighters, the creative industry can be highly competitive. However, through constant research, a thirst for learning, and the determination to add your personal touch, you can excel. Patience is the key.
When I started the program, I had a background in architecture and no knowledge of coding or animation. Despite this, I can now create my own simple video games and animated films. Don’t be afraid to let the process challenge you — keep asking questions and pushing your boundaries!
You can check out some of my other projects below.
Sara is a 2023 Fulbright Student from Jordan. She studies Media Art, Design, and Technology at North Carolina State University.
