Hyped or Not - Designing New Realities
We recently hosted the "Hyped or Not: Designing New Realities" event, and it was an exciting exploration of emerging technologies and their impact on the design world. Here’s an overview of what went down.
The event kicked off with a live demonstration of Apple Vision Pro headsets. Both I, as the host, and our guest, Mitja, wore the Vision Pro headsets, while our third guest, Davor, acted as a cameraman with his own headset. Our visions were projected onto a large screen behind us, allowing the audience to see our digital twin personas in real-time. This immersive experience allowed the crowd to observe firsthand the potential of augmented and mixed reality.
As we chatted and introduced ourselves, it was fascinating to see how the technology performed in a live setting. Mitja shared his thoughts on using the Vision Pro, highlighting how, despite its initial weight, it became part of his workflow, helping him stay focused even in distracting environments. He described a futuristic world where virtual screens and 360° environments replaced traditional screens, creating a Matrix-like experience.
Keynote Insights
Following the demo, I presented key points from the keynote, touching on the evolution of XR (Extended Reality). XR encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), each offering different levels of immersion. The discussion touched on the history of XR, from early stereoscopes to the latest advancements like the Apple Vision Pro.
Statistics also showed a fast-growing market, with VR's value expected to reach over $22 billion by 2028. The gaming industry, healthcare, education, and retail were identified as key sectors benefiting from XR, with newer fields like architecture, sports training, and virtual tourism also emerging as major players in this space(hy.ped S02 E01 24.09.20…).
The Future of XR Design
One of the event's highlights was a discussion on designing for XR, where we explored how traditional 2D design differs from creating in 3D environments. Spatial UI design, haptic feedback, and social XR were some emerging topics we covered. A significant challenge for designers in this space is to create intuitive, immersive experiences, taking into account interaction modes like gestures and voice commands instead of traditional clicks and taps.
We also discussed the importance of accessibility and ethical design, addressing how XR can be inclusive for all users while ensuring privacy and safety in virtual spaces.
Challenges and Pain Points
Despite its potential, the adoption of XR faces several challenges. High hardware costs remain a barrier, and there's a lack of high-quality, diverse content to keep users engaged. Technical constraints and issues like user comfort also need to be addressed before XR can reach mass adoption. However, the future looks bright, with AI expected to personalize and enhance XR experiences and 5G expected to enable seamless, high-quality interactions(hy.ped S02 E01 24.09.20…).
Open Discussion: Are We Hyped or Not?
The event concluded with an open discussion about whether XR is hyped or not. Both Mitja and I agreed that we are indeed hyped about the possibilities XR presents, though we acknowledged that the technology is still in its infancy. We’re optimistic that it will gain widespread adoption in the coming years, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of content, affordability, and use case development.
Final Thoughts
Overall, “Hyped or Not: Designing New Realities” was a thought-provoking event. The live demo, keynote presentation, and open discussion provided attendees with a comprehensive view of where XR technology stands today and where it’s headed. While the challenges are real, the potential for XR to revolutionize industries is undeniable, and we look forward to continuing to explore these new realities together.
Stay tuned for more insights and future events!
