Echo of the Abyss is a Virtual Reality (VR) experience that uses animal guides and immersive environments to cultivate a sense of kinship towards marine life. It emphasises the impact of design elements in creating a feeling of interconnectedness and in challenging mainstream perceptions of the deep sea, such as feelings of alienness and fear. Our approach offers design strategies aimed at increasing a feeling of safety and reflecting on the human and more-than-human bodies' relations in the environment.

Publications
Diving into the Abyss: Exploring Deep Sea Connection and Curiosity through Virtual Reality.
Echo of the Abyss: Understanding More-than-human Interconnectedness in the Deep Sea Through Virtual Reality Experiences.

Creative direction and research: Beatrice Maggipinto
Prototype design: Yanick Trindade
Advisors: Jessica Hammer, Valentina Nisi, Nuno Nunes