Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are all technologies that alter how we perceive the world around us. Here's a quick synopsis:
AR works by overlaying digital elements on top of the real world. The popular game Pokemon Go, where the user can see virtual creatures in their environment through their phone's camera is a classic example of AR at work. AR can be accessed through a smartphone or specially designed AR glasses.
VR completely immerses the user in a computer-generated environment. VR headsets block out the surroundings and transport the user to a virtual world.
MR combines the real world with virtual objects that interact with each other. MR headsets use cameras to capture the real world and blend it with virtual elements.
While AR is often accessed through smartphones, VR and MR require specialized headsets.
Without further ado, let us see how AR, VR, and MR can assist interior designers and furniture manufacturers.
AR in Interior Designing / Furniture
- Client visualization: Imagine a client pointing their phone at a floor plan and seeing potential furniture layouts come to life in AR. This allows for better communication and helps clients visualize the design in their own space.
- Virtual shopping: Clients can use AR apps to see how furniture or decor would look in their actual room before they buy it. This reduces the risk of buying something that clash or doesn't fit the dimensions.
VR in Interior Designing / Furniture
- Immersive design experience: Designers can create virtual reality tours of a proposed design, allowing clients to walk through the space and experience it firsthand. This fosters a deeper understanding of the design and helps identify any potential issues early on.
- Collaboration and remote work: Designers and clients in different locations can virtually collaborate in a VR model of the space, making revisions and adjustments in real-time.
MR in interior Designing / Furniture
- Real-time furniture placement: MR headsets allow designers to virtually place furniture in a real room, taking into account lighting and scale. This helps with space planning and allows for quick adjustments based on client feedback.
- Interactive design exploration: Clients can use MR to experiment with different design elements, like paint colors or flooring materials, all within the context of their real space. This empowers them to be more involved in the design process.
These are not hypothetical use cases. Real-world interior designers are increasingly using AR, VR, and MR to enhance their services. The popular IKEA Place app lets users virtually place furniture in their own homes using their smartphone camera. This helps with visualizing scale and fit before purchasing furniture.
Several other design firms too are using AR / VR to create immersive design experiences for high-end clients. As AR and VR become more accessible and affordable for designers, this trend is likely to continue, making these tools even more commonplace in the interior design industry.
While MR adoption might be lower currently, it has the potential to revolutionize furniture buying in India. Imagine a scenario where an interior designer in a different city uses an MR headset to virtually "visit" a client's home in India. The designer can use the MR technology to place furniture virtually within the real space, discuss options with the client, and make adjustments based on their feedback in real-time. This could be particularly useful for remote consultations or clientele in geographically distant locations. The examples above showcase the growing interest in AR and VR technologies for furniture shopping and design within the country.
While widespread adoption might still be evolving, AR and VR solutions for interior / funtiture are being developed by Indian companies specifically for the Indian market. This indicates a growing interest in these technologies for interior design within the country. Developing AR, VR, and MR apps however is intricate. It involves a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and the right tools. Creating an AR, VR, MR application involves several critical stages. Initially, the concept and design phase focuses on defining the app's purpose and identifying its target audience. This includes meticulous user experience (UX) design to ensure intuitive interaction within the AR / VR / MR environment.
Following this, the development phase begins, leveraging software development kits (SDKs) from platforms such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Programming languages like C# or C++ are utilized to build the app, incorporating high-quality 3D models and assets for realistic rendering of furniture or objects, along with features like 360-degree video or spatial audio for enhanced immersion.
Subsequently, rigorous testing is conducted across various devices to ensure the app functions seamlessly and delivers a superior user experience. Once thoroughly tested and refined, the app is deployed on selected platforms such as app stores or web browsers, marking the culmination of a meticulous process aimed at delivering a compelling AR / VR / MR application to users.
As mentioned above, developing such engaging apps is not an easy task. For one, most interior designers or furniture manufacturers simply lack the coding skills needed for developing apps. Another requirement is integration with existing systems. This is crucial for apps that need to connect with established furniture stores or design software, facilitating seamless interaction and data exchange. This integration ensures compatibility and enhances the app's functionality by leveraging existing resources effectively.
Additionally, project management and support play pivotal roles throughout the development lifecycle. Engineering services professionals are ideally suited to oversee the entire process, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met while maintaining quality standards. Post-launch, ongoing support is provided to address any issues promptly and to incorporate updates or enhancements based on user feedback, ensuring the app continues to meet evolving needs effectively. This comprehensive approach to project management and support is integral to the success and longevity of the app in the market.