Merging the gap between physical and digital with VR
VIDEO: VR product simulation for the Nortek Shield product launch. (Use headphones to experience 3D sound)
HOW MIGHT WE Leverage VR to improve our design process?
Type: UX Prototyping / User Research
Client: Internal Process, Nortek and more
Role: UX Design Lead & Strategy
We explored the question: Could VR do for UX design what 3D printing has done for manufacturing? If so, could an efficient workflow be created to make it worth the time? VR was very new at the time and much of the field was still uncharted territory. We established a completely new design process for integrating VR and then tested and showcased it for Nortek’s Shield tele-entry security system.
As the Lead UX Designer, I led the client, hardware and visual designers through all design phases to land on a security device experience. I led the team through three brainstorms, an iterative design cycle and refined the final product demo for the final presentation at ISC West 2017, security convention.
Process Design for integrating VR:
Partnering with a Mechanical Engineer and Industrial Designer, we developed design processes to support both physical and digital scenarios in VR. We designed a process to maintain designer’s ability to prototype in the environment they already know and allow it to extend into VR. We also designed faster iteration cycles for both digital and digital testing through instant validation at a higher level of fidelity, which allowed for improved qualitative research, as opposed to existing foam core mockups. And we converted solidworks to .fbx quickly and accurately for immediate reactions and design reviews.
Simulation of the process for Nortek’s Shield tele-entry security system:
Implementing our process, we improved the qualitative learnings for user interactions. We triggered moving industrial design with a digital prototype using Invision interactions. Creating reviews that were in context, it became easier to express intent. This was used as a marketing presentation tool to simulate a more immersive product experience and instill confidence in customers.