Hello!
We fantasized a bit and asked AI to generate an image of a modern version of us exploring Moana’s world. And since you already have an idea of how we look, it’s also time to get to know each other a little better.
My name is Yana, and I’m a Master’s student at Maastricht University, currently working on this project as part of our course Creating Digital Collections. I have to admit, this course feels like one of my favourites, as it combines relatively challenging university work with something that reminds me of my childhood: playing with dolls and exploring their imaginary world.
For me, dolls were the number one toy. I could easily come up with different stories about their lives, change their clothes and hair to match my style, and of course, build houses for them together with my dad. Bringing this 3D world to life felt like stepping back into that imaginative space I loved as a child, only now with new tools and a bigger story to tell.
My name is Tudor, and I am also a student at Maastricht University, working together with Yana on this project as part of the Creating Digital Collections course. I connected with this course the most, as it combines both theoretical and practical elements. It also feels like a glimpse into what the future of digital storytelling might look like.
When it comes to dolls, I never really played with them. I had robots and action figures, but I always found doll hair difficult to deal with. Now, after working on Moana, I understand more about how important and meaningful a doll can be. Bringing her into a 3D space using just a few hundred photos still feels surreal. There is something special about watching a simple object turn into a digital version of itself with a story to tell.