CIBC
CIBC
. Immersive VR Experience (Year 2)
. Immersive VR Experience (Year 2)
. Immersive VR Experience (Year 2)
Role: 3D Designer / Creative Technologist
Tools: Unreal Engine, Blender, 11 Labs, Figma, VIVE XR, Quest 3
Timeline: 8 Months
Role: 3D Designer / Creative Technologist
Tools: Unreal Engine, Blender, 11 Labs, Figma, VIVE XR, Quest 3
Timeline: 8 Months
This project was a multi-location VR experience created for a public-facing CIBC activation. Visitors explored three immersive destinations — Mars, Machu Picchu, and an African wildlife safari — each combining spatial storytelling, narration, and hands-on interactions.
Across more than 20 interactive moments, the experience encouraged users to explore environments, solve puzzles, and engage with narrative elements that connect personal ambitions with future travel possibilities.
This project was a multi-location VR experience created for a public-facing CIBC activation. Visitors explored three immersive destinations — Mars, Machu Picchu, and an African wildlife safari — each combining spatial storytelling, narration, and hands-on interactions.
Across more than 20 interactive moments, the experience encouraged users to explore environments, solve puzzles, and engage with narrative elements that connect personal ambitions with future travel possibilities.
This project was a multi-location VR experience created for a public-facing CIBC activation. Visitors explored three immersive destinations — Mars, Machu Picchu, and an African wildlife safari — each combining spatial storytelling, narration, and hands-on interactions.
Across more than 20 interactive moments, the experience encouraged users to explore environments, solve puzzles, and engage with narrative elements that connect personal ambitions with future travel possibilities.
The Challenge
The Challenge
CIBC wanted an experience that could communicate how their services help clients pursue personal ambitions.
The VR experience translates this idea into an interactive journey, where visitors explore different destinations and engage with storytelling, puzzles, and environmental interactions.
CIBC wanted an experience that could communicate how their services help clients pursue personal ambitions.
The VR experience translates this idea into an interactive journey, where visitors explore different destinations and engage with storytelling, puzzles, and environmental interactions.
CIBC wanted an experience that could communicate how their services help clients pursue personal ambitions.
The VR experience translates this idea into an interactive journey, where visitors explore different destinations and engage with storytelling, puzzles, and environmental interactions.
My Contribution
My Contribution
My Contribution
I worked across concept development, spatial design, and interaction implementation in Unreal Engine. My responsibilities included environment assembly, interactive moment design, and supporting the final installation during launch.
I worked across concept development, spatial design, and interaction implementation in Unreal Engine. My responsibilities included environment assembly, interactive moment design, and supporting the final installation during launch.
I worked across concept development, spatial design, and interaction implementation in Unreal Engine. My responsibilities included environment assembly, interactive moment design, and supporting the final installation during launch.
Designing Moments of Engagement
Designing Moments of Engagement
Designing Moments of Engagement
The experience was designed as a series of interactive moments that guide visitors through exploration, storytelling, and emotional connection. My work focused on creating different types of engagement across environments — from puzzle-based discovery to reactive characters and cinematic journeys.
The experience was designed as a series of interactive moments that guide visitors through exploration, storytelling, and emotional connection. My work focused on creating different types of engagement across environments — from puzzle-based discovery to reactive characters and cinematic journeys.
The experience was designed as a series of interactive moments that guide visitors through exploration, storytelling, and emotional connection. My work focused on creating different types of engagement across environments — from puzzle-based discovery to reactive characters and cinematic journeys.
Puzzle-Based Discovery — Machu Picchu
Puzzle-Based Discovery — Machu Picchu
Puzzle-Based Discovery — Machu Picchu
To encourage deeper engagement with the Machu Picchu environment, I designed an interactive puzzle that connects cultural storytelling with physical exploration. This interaction transformed the environment from a passive walkthrough into a moment of discovery and learning.
To encourage deeper engagement with the Machu Picchu environment, I designed an interactive puzzle that connects cultural storytelling with physical exploration. This interaction transformed the environment from a passive walkthrough into a moment of discovery and learning.
To encourage deeper engagement with the Machu Picchu environment, I designed an interactive puzzle that connects cultural storytelling with physical exploration. This interaction transformed the environment from a passive walkthrough into a moment of discovery and learning.
Design & Implementation:
Designed a 7-point exploration path through key landmarks including the Temple of the Guardian and Sacred Rock
Built a rotating stone totem puzzle in Unreal where users align symbols with floor patterns after listening to narration
Worked with a developer to integrate puzzle logic into the overall experience flow
Design & Implementation:
Designed a 7-point exploration path through key landmarks including the Temple of the Guardian and Sacred Rock
Built a rotating stone totem puzzle in Unreal where users align symbols with floor patterns after listening to narration
Worked with a developer to integrate puzzle logic into the overall experience flow
Design & Implementation:
Designed a 7-point exploration path through key landmarks including the Temple of the Guardian and Sacred Rock
Built a rotating stone totem puzzle in Unreal where users align symbols with floor patterns after listening to narration
Worked with a developer to integrate puzzle logic into the overall experience flow
Reactive Characters & Atmosphere
Reactive Characters & Atmosphere
Reactive Characters & Atmosphere
To increase emotional engagement within the environments, I explored small reactive moments and layered sound design.
In the Machu Picchu scene, I implemented an interactive llama NPC that reacts when users approach — kneeling down and responding to petting gestures.
I also shaped each location’s atmosphere using AI-generated voice narration and environmental audio, helping Mars, Machu Picchu, and Africa feel distinct in tone and mood.
To increase emotional engagement within the environments, I explored small reactive moments and layered sound design.
In the Machu Picchu scene, I implemented an interactive llama NPC that reacts when users approach — kneeling down and responding to petting gestures.
I also shaped each location’s atmosphere using AI-generated voice narration and environmental audio, helping Mars, Machu Picchu, and Africa feel distinct in tone and mood.
To increase emotional engagement within the environments, I explored small reactive moments and layered sound design.
In the Machu Picchu scene, I implemented an interactive llama NPC that reacts when users approach — kneeling down and responding to petting gestures.
I also shaped each location’s atmosphere using AI-generated voice narration and environmental audio, helping Mars, Machu Picchu, and Africa feel distinct in tone and mood.
Cinematic Safari Journey
Cinematic Safari Journey
Cinematic Safari Journey
For the Africa environment, we aimed to recreate a safari ride experience while keeping the VR session within a controlled play time. Our solution was a guided 360° safari journey that limited user movement while allowing full freedom to look around the environment.
For the Africa environment, we aimed to recreate a safari ride experience while keeping the VR session within a controlled play time. Our solution was a guided 360° safari journey that limited user movement while allowing full freedom to look around the environment.
For the Africa environment, we aimed to recreate a safari ride experience while keeping the VR session within a controlled play time. Our solution was a guided 360° safari journey that limited user movement while allowing full freedom to look around the environment.
My work included:
Building terrain and ecosystems using Unreal landscape and Brushify foliage systems
Designing a jeep travel route using spline systems
Using Sequencer to coordinate narration, movement, and scene transitions
Creating wildlife moments including birds in flight, resting lions, and grazing giraffes
My work included:
Building terrain and ecosystems using Unreal landscape and Brushify foliage systems
Designing a jeep travel route using spline systems
Using Sequencer to coordinate narration, movement, and scene transitions
Creating wildlife moments including birds in flight, resting lions, and grazing giraffes
My work included:
Building terrain and ecosystems using Unreal landscape and Brushify foliage systems
Designing a jeep travel route using spline systems
Using Sequencer to coordinate narration, movement, and scene transitions
Creating wildlife moments including birds in flight, resting lions, and grazing giraffes
Takeaways & Skills Developed
Takeaways & Skills Developed
Takeaways & Skills Developed
This was my first experience contributing to a large-scale VR installation deployed for the public, which required designing not just for visual impact but for reliability and usability.
Working inside a shared Unreal environment with multiple designers and developers taught me the importance of coordination, system awareness, and rapid troubleshooting during production.
This was my first experience contributing to a large-scale VR installation deployed for the public, which required designing not just for visual impact but for reliability and usability.
Working inside a shared Unreal environment with multiple designers and developers taught me the importance of coordination, system awareness, and rapid troubleshooting during production.
This was my first experience contributing to a large-scale VR installation deployed for the public, which required designing not just for visual impact but for reliability and usability.
Working inside a shared Unreal environment with multiple designers and developers taught me the importance of coordination, system awareness, and rapid troubleshooting during production.
Supporting on-site fixes and post-installation debugging also revealed how different designing for real users is compared to school projects -> stability, clarity, and intuitive interaction matter just as much as creativity.
This project strengthened my confidence working within Unreal-based XR pipelines and reinforced my interest in designing immersive experiences that combine storytelling, interaction, and emotional engagement.
Supporting on-site fixes and post-installation debugging also revealed how different designing for real users is compared to school projects -> stability, clarity, and intuitive interaction matter just as much as creativity.
This project strengthened my confidence working within Unreal-based XR pipelines and reinforced my interest in designing immersive experiences that combine storytelling, interaction, and emotional engagement.
Additional Work — CIBC Matchy
Additional Work — CIBC Matchy
Additional Work — CIBC Matchy
Alongside the VR experience, I also supported a Unity-based multiplayer touch table game installed at the same CIBC activation.
Alongside the VR experience, I also supported a Unity-based multiplayer touch table game installed at the same CIBC activation.
Alongside the VR experience, I also supported a Unity-based multiplayer touch table game installed at the same CIBC activation.
My role:
Investigated and resolved accessibility-related interaction issues
Worked with a developer to adjust input behaviour
Assisted with on-site testing and debugging
My role:
Investigated and resolved accessibility-related interaction issues
Worked with a developer to adjust input behaviour
Assisted with on-site testing and debugging
My role:
Investigated and resolved accessibility-related interaction issues
Worked with a developer to adjust input behaviour
Assisted with on-site testing and debugging
This project represents the second iteration of the CIBC Ambition Centre installation, expanding the original experience with additional locations and new interactive moments.
This project represents the second iteration of the CIBC Ambition Centre installation, expanding the original experience with additional locations and new interactive moments.
This project represents the second iteration of the CIBC Ambition Centre installation, expanding the original experience with additional locations and new interactive moments.
ALWAYS EXPLORING WHAT TECHNOLOGY CAN BECOME
Interaction design × creative technology
Zana Yan · Toronto
Contact · LinkedIn
© 2026 Zana Yan
ALWAYS EXPLORING WHAT TECHNOLOGY CAN BECOME
Interaction design × creative technology
Zana Yan · Toronto
Contact · LinkedIn
© 2026 Zana Yan
ALWAYS EXPLORING WHAT TECHNOLOGY CAN BECOME
Interaction design × creative technology
Zana Yan · Toronto
Contact · LinkedIn
© 2026 Zana Yan