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Experiential Design in the Metaverse
Experiential design goes beyond creating “immersive” experiences; it requires blending the digital and physical worlds while incorporating interactivity. The metaverse epitomizes this approach, seamlessly merging the virtual and physical realms in a naturally interactive manner.
The fusion of experiential design and the metaverse seems like the next logical step towards achieving a “true” immersive experience. While previous attempts, including my own, have been made, I believe we are finally approaching what I affectionately call True Experiential Design.
A Bit of “Virtual” History through Today
A decade ago, when Virtual Reality (VR) was gaining traction, it failed to make a significant impact in experience design. I observed firsthand how visitors struggled with public and branded VR experiences, often leaving confused. Not much has changed, as headsets still require cleaning after each use, and instructions must be reiterated.
The video below showcases a collaboration I did with choreographer Jonah Baker, featuring one of the first collaborative VR experiences. Audience members stood in real sand, forming a circle, and watched the dance in a shared virtual environment, seeing avatars of fellow spectators within the virtual space. It was cool at the time, but the user confusion was always there.
Fast forward to 2023, I believe we’ve reached a tipping point in utilizing virtual spaces, driven by a deeper understanding of the metaverse and its potential. Adoption is occurring not due to technological advancements, but rather the evolution of the underlying philosophy defining the metaverse.
Today, the metaverse is a seen as a collective virtual shared space, encompassing digital realms and interconnected experiences powered by the Internet and advanced technologies. It allows users to engage, collaborate…
