interactive experiences

We used virtual reality to help a major healthcare client develop a new standard exam room.  Virtual reality allowed our client to skip the usual full-scale built mock-up and test out multiple designs with minimal cost and risk.  This required that we implement a completely interactive scene with movable objects, functioning cabinet doors and functioning equipment.  We found the HTC Vive environment and controllers to be especially well suited to this.  We also developed the ability to swap scenes and materials on the go so users could compare options side-by-side.

One of the strongest use cases we have found for VR has been in change management and user group discussions.  In this case we modeled out an entire patient room suite, an ER trauma bay & other spaces. These included restrooms, equipment, and a decentralized nursing station.  This allowed the design team to show doctors and nurses what exactly to expect in their new spaces and gave them an opportunity to give useful feedback on equipment placement, room layout and many finer details.  Often input at this level is difficult to get through reviews of traditional plans and renderings.  

Few visualization methods communicate scale and space as realistically as VR.  In this project we modeled out several spaces for the City of Lubbock's new city hall to help council members better understand the design decisions that were being made around square footage and materials and finishes.  VR enabled them to explore the design from every possible angle, make informed decisions and be confident in that their city's funding was being used responsibly.  Along the way, our designers found that the freedom to explore the space without the limitations of traditional renderings and animations enabled them to be more through and identify more opportunities to better the design.