Have you used virtual reality in your design journey?

VR vs. AR: Revolutionising Design in Distinct Ways

The design industry is certainly being disrupted with the introduction of such incredible technology. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) stand out for their unique capabilities and transformative impacts. Though often mentioned in the same breath, and often confused – VR and AR offer different experiences and benefits for our clients and as tools for us as designers. We use both dependant on the project, the client and the immediate needs to tell the design story.

Virtual Reality: Immersive Design Exploration

VR transports users into a fully immersive digital world, useful for both designers and clients. By creating a virtual environment that mimics real life, VR allows clients to walk through a space before it’s physically built. This is invaluable for validating designs and making informed decisions about materials, lighting, and spatial arrangements. For designers, VR acts as a sandbox for testing and refining designs in real-time, offering a perspective that flat renderings cannot. It’s a complete oxymoron that we spend hours creating photo realistic 3D renders only to print them on 2D or look at them on flat screens.

Augmented Reality: Enhancing Real-World Context

AR layers digital information onto the real world, enhancing what we see without replacing it. In design, this means AR can project models and elements onto a physical space, allowing clients and designers to see how new designs will look in context. This is particularly useful during site visits or in the early stages of space planning, where understanding the scale and interaction of new elements with existing environments is crucial. Whilst not as immersive as VR this can be an incredible tool; here AR can streamline decisions about furniture placement, colour schemes, and more by overlaying proposed designs over real settings.

Complementary Tools in the Design Process

While VR is best used for deep, immersive planning and client walkthroughs, AR excels in on-site application and instant visualisation. Both technologies foster a deeper understanding and connection to the project, ensuring clients understand the vision and enabling greater creativity through better-informed design iterations.

Technology is an area we are passionate about; at Spaceworks, we leverage both VR and AR to not just meet but exceed our client’s expectations, ensuring our designs are not only efficient but truly resonate with those who inhabit the spaces.

If you are keen to see either solution brought to life – reach out and we can show you the visual impact of using a tool like this. Talk about maximising project and design engagement!