Emerging Media Space (EMS)

The Emerging Media Space (EMS), based across our Harrow Campus, is a versatile environment dedicated to cutting-edge technologies, including VR, AR, and Virtual Production, supporting workflows for 3D printing and digital fabrication.

The EMS supports both independent exploration and taught sessions, enabling students to integrate emerging technologies directly into their creative practice.

Redesigned in 2024, the EMS is a hub for digital creation, immersive capture, extended reality, and creative coding. It brings together a range of specialist facilities, including a Physical Computing Room, Virtual Production and a Motion Capture Lab, supporting experimentation across physical and digital workflows.

Students have access to high-end computing resources, specialist equipment, and expertise. This enables them to develop work across multiple formats and approaches including: 

• Recording spaces, objects, and movement using techniques such as 3D scanning, motion capture, and 360 photography.
• Creating physical and systems-based interactive work using sensors and code to control visual, audio, and physical outputs.
• Building and exploring virtual worlds using sensors, code and microcomputers to control environments and digital film techniques.
• Designing and producing digital assets, including graphics, 3D models, sculpted forms, and game-engine environments.

We also offer a variety of workshops across areas such as 3D modelling, digital painting, interactive design, and immersive production techniques.

Virtual Production and Motion Capture Lab 

Our Virtual Production and Motion Capture Lab (VP/Mocap) provides a flexible, technician-supported environment for exploring real-time production, motion capture, and immersive content creation. Designed to support teaching, research, and creative experimentation, the lab enables students and staff to work across physical and virtual workflows, combining camera, motion capture, and digital environments within a single production space.

At the core of the lab is a Virtual Production (VP) stage, allowing users to develop scenes within real-time 3D environments. This supports workflows ranging from previsualisation and virtual cinematography through to hybrid live-action and digital production.

The space is complemented by a motion capture system, enabling full-body performance capture that can be integrated into virtual environments or used for animation, games, and interactive media projects. Together, these systems support new approaches to storytelling, production, and immersive media.

What we offer

• Virtual Production stage for real-time scene creation.
• Motion capture system supporting performance and animation workflows.
• Integration with real-time engines, including Unreal Engine.
• Flexible workflows across film, games, and immersive media.
• Technician-supported access for teaching, research, and projects.

Learning and research opportunities

The VP/Mocap Lab supports students across disciplines including film, animation, games, creative media practice, performance, fashion, and practice-based research. It enables hands-on engagement with emerging production techniques, from virtual cinematography to character performance and real-time world-building.

The space encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together students with different skill sets to work across performance, design, and technical production. Projects may involve performers, designers, and technical specialists working together to create real-time and immersive outcomes.

As part of the EMS facilities, the lab is technician-supported, with staff providing guidance, training, and access to equipment, ensuring users can safely and effectively develop both creative and technical skills within professional workflows.