Project Description
Title: Build a Gather Town Virtual Creative Community Space (Papertole Institute)
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
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I am looking for a freelancer to design and build a structured, immersive virtual space using **Gather Town (or a similar spatial platform)**.
This will be a permanent virtual creative community for the Papertole Institute.
The space should allow users to:
- Walk through rooms using avatars
- Join conversations through proximity-based interaction
- Sit at tables for small group crafting and discussion
- Attend live demonstrations and presentations
- Explore artwork, resources, and products interactively
Below is the scope, specifically aligned with a Gather Town build.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
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We will build a structured, immersive Gather space that functions as a permanent virtual creative community for the Papertole Institute.
The space should allow users to:
- Walk through rooms using avatars
- Join conversations through proximity-based interaction
- Sit at tables for small group crafting and discussion
- Attend live demonstrations and presentations
- Explore artwork, resources, and products interactively
- Receive guidance from a virtual host and access live support
The environment should feel warm, welcoming, simple to navigate, and accessible for all users, including those with limited technical experience.
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1) SPACE ARCHITECTURE & LAYOUT (GATHER MAP BUILD)
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Design and build a multi-room Gather space with clear navigation and connected layout.
Core structure includes:
- Orientation Vestibule (spawn point with onboarding content)
- Main Lobby Hub (central navigation and check-in area)
- Connected rooms via portals or internal layout
Rooms to include:
- Conference Hall (large group presentations / demos)
- Work Tables Wing (multiple small-group private table spaces)
- Cutting Guides & Digital Products Room
- Toleway Store Showroom (clickable product displays)
- Movie Room (shared video viewing space)
- Art Gallery Room (interactive artwork displays)
- Papertole Legacy Room (past owners, stories, and timeline)
- Growth Wing with 5 additional rooms (labeled and ready for future use)
Navigation:
- Clear signage throughout the space
- Logical pathways and room groupings
- Easy return to lobby for lost users
(Use Gather portals, spawn settings, and room/map connections as needed.) [1](https://support.gather.town/articles/7871402936-custom-map-overview)
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2) USER EXPERIENCE & FLOW (UX DESIGN INSIDE GATHER)
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Design a clear and intuitive user flow:
- Users spawn in Orientation Vestibule
- Watch onboarding videos and access map
- Enter main lobby
- Choose activities or rooms based on signage
Focus on:
- First-time user simplicity
- Elderly-friendly navigation
- Clear instructions and minimal confusion
Include:
- “Start Here” guidance
- “Press X to interact” prompts
- “If lost, return to lobby” instruction system [2](https://members.cecam.org/storage/workshop_files/Gather.town-user-guide-1624465534.pdf)
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3) INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS (GATHER OBJECTS & INTERACTIONS)
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Create interactive objects throughout the space using Gather’s object tools.
Include:
- Art Wall System:
Artwork displays with clickable (Press X) interaction
Opens story, details, or external page
- Bulletin & Resource Boards:
Guides, announcements, downloads
Click-to-open resources
- Toleway Store Displays:
Product showcase with clickable links to purchase
- Event / Schedule Board:
Clickable “Today’s Schedule” and recurring events
(All interactions should use Gather’s interactive object system with activation prompts.) [3](https://support.gather.town/articles/8110864821-videos-livestreams)[2](https://members.cecam.org/storage/workshop_files/Gather.town-user-guide-1624465534.pdf)
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4) VIDEO INTEGRATION
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Embed video content using Gather interactive objects:
- Orientation Video (How to Use the Space)
- Room Walkthrough Video
- Movie Room (shared viewing experience)
Optional:
- Use synced playback for scheduled events if needed
(Gather supports embedded video interaction within objects.) [3](https://support.gather.town/articles/8110864821-videos-livestreams)
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5) WORK TABLES & SMALL GROUP SPACES
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Create a Work Tables Wing with multiple tables.
Each table should:
- Function as a private or semi-private space
- Allow small group collaboration
- Support conversation, crafting, and teaching
(Use private space settings around tables where appropriate.) [2](https://members.cecam.org/storage/workshop_files/Gather.town-user-guide-1624465534.pdf)
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6) VIRTUAL HOST & HELP SYSTEM
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Create a Virtual Host station (front desk) with interactive guidance.
Include:
- Host interaction menu (Press X) with options:
- Start Here
- Find a Room
- Join a Class
- Sit at a Table
- Visit the Store
- Need Help
Help System:
- Instructions for users to "Raise Hand" for assistance
- Optional Help Desk area in lobby
- Live host can locate users and assist
(This uses standard Gather communication and interaction features.) [2](https://members.cecam.org/storage/workshop_files/Gather.town-user-guide-1624465534.pdf)
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7) ART GALLERY & LEGACY ROOM
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Art Gallery:
- Dedicated room for artwork displays
- Interactive viewing (Press X)
- Rotating exhibits capability
Papertole Legacy Room:
- Past owners / founders section
- Story displays and artwork
- Timeline experience
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8) GROWTH WING (FUTURE ROOMS)
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Create and label 5 additional rooms for future expansion:
- Beginner Bootcamp Room
- Advanced Techniques Lab
- Member Lounge / VIP Studio
- Guest Workshop Room
- Community Showcase & Feedback Room
Rooms can contain placeholder signage and “Coming Soon” content.
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9) ACCESSIBILITY & EASY ENTRY
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Ensure simple user access:
- Direct link to Gather space
- Support for desktop shortcut or USB entry file
- Clear onboarding instructions
Include simple signage for:
- How to move
- How to interact
- How to get help
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10) TESTING, REFINEMENT & DELIVERY
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- Test all navigation, interactions, and room flows
- Ensure ease of use for first-time users
- Refine layout based on usability
- Provide walkthrough video of space
- Deliver final working Gather environment
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TIMELINE (ADJUSTED FOR GATHER BUILD)
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Week 1:
- Map structure design
- Build core space (Lobby, rooms, tables)
Week 2:
- Add interactions, art systems, store, and boards
- Testing, refinement, video walkthrough, delivery
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Please let me know if you can accept the proposal and pricing based on this Gather-based scope.
I’m excited to move forward.
Thank you,
Tina
Papertole Institute