Next Generation VR
The Challenge
After years of innovation in the virtual reality category, Google has quietly discontinued its Daydream virtual reality platform. Due to relative homogeneity in VR technology, Google has had difficulty breaking into the VR headset category with a wholly differentiating product. However, after pouring time, resources, and talent into “Immersive Computing,” it is certain that Google plans to continue to innovate with VR/AR products such as Google Lens and other immersive computing efforts. The hardware challenge presented is-
“How will Google create a virtual reality headset that fits into the new design language driven by the company’s IOT hardware line? In order to do this, the design must be Human, Optimistic, and Bold.”
Intuitive
Google Cardboard introduced the world to smartphone-driven VR experience with an inexpensive, easy-to-understand interface.
Elegant
The Google Daydream introduced refined form factors, demonstrated fabric as next-gen hardware housing, and incorporated a controller into the VR headset.
Sophisticated
Lenovo + Google teamed up to bring inside-out tracking to a Daydream standalone device, along with industry-standard form factors (and an unfortunate departure with color and fabric)
What’s next?
Google has course corrections to make as well as design opportunities to explore. DreamShell zooms in on those opportunities and incorporates them into a holistic design.
The Opportunity
With the advent of democratized stand-alone VR headset technology, It’s a reasonable bet to guess that Google isn’t done in this space. The future of Google’s virtual reality will fit into Google’s evolved hardware design ecosystem.
Beginning with Google Cardboard, and ending (for now) with Daydream’s discontinuation, Google’s VR effort have matured greatly alongside their rapidly evolving hardware design aesthetic approach.
Cords, headgear, and controllers with large arrays of sensors mean most virtual reality hardware have bulky shapes that are difficult to store, much less display elegantly.
Google has mastered the art of fitting world-class technology into elegant forms that are not only not hidden from view, but are an accessory to any room.
Form: Sloped Megalith, Curved Fabric Faces
Concept: DreamShell
A few of my sketches asking how might VR integrate into the home? How will it be perceived?
Combining Controllers and Headset
How does this virtual reality of tomorrow fit into the homes of today?
With a splash of color.
Google has taken the leap of adding vibrant colors to its home hardware products, and the public expects nothing less of Google’s future VR products. I created a palette to showcase the natural vibrancy of nature at both warm and cool ends of the spectrum.
Citrus + Stone Palette
The Citrus + Stone scheme brings warm calming colors from grapefruit, amethyst, molten earth, and sunset.
The Controllers charge wirelessly via the head set as it is elegantly displayed cord-free while not in use.
The Stadia controller’s button and handle configuration is incorporated into the single-handed controllers.
The Panda Lens: Letting Nature inspire a friendly face.
Branding opportunity: The Chrome logo inspires the headset tightening mechanism
