Could virtual reality change how designers work?

I was reading up about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting people all over the world and what can be done to try and keep life as a designer the same to what it was previously. One article I found very interesting was one about how VR could be used as a ‘makeshift studio’ for all designers. The article went on to talk about how zoom has been the main source of online video conferences and suggested that for designer’s VR could be a very possible way as it is new technology that can be used more effectively than its current uses.

One app that the article mentioned was Reality Works an app that was developed in 2017 where it lets the user create a 3D sketch. This app can have multiple users at once on the same sketch and can really help you visualise what you are creating and even go on to make models of these objects. I feel like this could be a new and interesting way to approach problems and help show people what you are really trying to create. I feel that any advancement in technology is great and especially if it helps the design world.

One other points that I read in this article is that they could have conference meetings with virtual characters to critique each other’s work to replace the studio time that they would have done this in. I feel that it can help with times like this but overall, I feel there is no replacing the studio as a place to share your work and get feedback weather its good or bad feedback it is all to help you go on and create something better. This virtual studio would not have the same feel to it. Nick Vaus, a creative director at Free The Birds studio, said that “while technology connects us, the instant sparks of bouncing ideas off one another may feel flat and disconnected” This quote made me understand the importance of those human interactions where you can see the full reaction in person and get a more authentic result from whatever they have to say.

So, can VR change how designers work? I would say yes but in addition to what is already there it could help groups understand each other’s ideas better with the 3D visualisation that it offers but not in the sense that it would be able to replace studio time. I feel it is a great time to explore what can be done with this software, but I feel we as designers need the human interaction to connect more with each user.

If you wish to read more about this article here is a link:

https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/27-april-3-may-2020/virtual-reality-designers/