Introduction to Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) is not any longer a thing of the longer term, it is a reality now. With VR, we are able to immerse ourselves in numerous worlds from the comfort of our own homes, making it the subsequent smartest thing to a real-life experience. While VR is commonly related to gaming, it has many other significant uses, akin to training engineers and surgeons. The technology can be making waves within the design industry, allowing landscape architects to design and test ideas without being physically present at a site.
The Potential of Virtual Reality
According to Benjamin George, an assistant professor within the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at Utah State University, VR has the potential to revolutionize the design process. "The first time I put a VR headset on, I immediately realized the potential that this technology has to vary the way in which we design," he said. "You’re designing by feel, versus searching through a pc screen or using pen and paper and trying to visualise that in your mind." This latest way of designing allows for more freedom and creativity, unencumbered by the constraints of traditional design methods.
VR Week: A Hands-On Learning Experience
Prior to the beginning of the autumn semester, Utah State University hosted its first VR Week, a multi-day workshop where participants learned easy methods to design with VR. The event was a collaboration between George and Andrew Sargeant, a landscape designer at Lionheart Places in Austin, TX. Over the course of 4 days, students learned the fundamentals of designing with VR and easy methods to use the Unity development platform. The workshop culminated in a hypothetical project where participants designed a site for a technology museum, first developing plans after which creating them using VR.
The Benefits of Designing with VR
Designing with VR gives students the advantage of with the ability to test concepts and judge what feels right in an area by experiencing their designs before they’re built. Patricia Beckert, an LAEP student participant, compared designing in VR to constructing a model, but on a much larger scale. "It’s like constructing a model, but as an alternative of a physical model, you are making a digital model which you can walk through and experience," she said. Another student noted that with VR, "there are virtually no limits" to what you possibly can create.
Implementing VR in Design Projects
This 12 months, students within the LAEP Department can be implementing VR of their projects as VR headsets are moved into the studios. George is happy to see the impact that VR could have on their projects and careers. "Our students are doing things which are more advanced than nearly all of professionals immediately, and that is really, really cool," he said. As VR Week participants teach their classmates easy methods to use VR of their work, it’s going to be interesting to see how this technology shapes the longer term of design.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is not any longer only a novelty, it’s a strong tool that’s changing the way in which we design and experience spaces. With its ability to offer a completely immersive experience, VR is giving designers the liberty to create and test their ideas in ways in which were previously unattainable. As VR technology continues to evolve and improve, it’s going to be exciting to see the way it shapes the longer term of the design industry and beyond.
