Emerging Technology and the Reality–Virtuality Continuum
DESN 325
The topic of reality has become more pronounced due to emerging technologies such as VR, AR, and MR. As our world and technological prowess continue to grow, a sufficient definition will be needed when approaching these new avenues. The Reality–virtuality continuum is a scale used to measure the interconnectivity of reality and virtuality. However, to begin to understand the interactions between reality and the virtual, one must identify the multiple existing levels and methods of interactivity, namely VR, AR, MR, and XR; additionally, what does it mean for creators and designers in the new frontier of interaction design.
A term that most will be familiar with, VR or Virtual Reality is the ability or possibility for an individual to experience a world that does not exist (entirely virtual). The major differentiating aspect of VR from the other forms is that the user is being brought into or experiencing a completely virtual world. This can be considered to be far towards Virtuality on the Reality-Virtuality Continuum.
If VR is far towards virtuality, then AR would be closer to reality. AR is defined by bringing digital elements and aspects into the real/observable world. This is often done through the use of an intermediary device, for example, a smartphone camera. A popular emerging technology that embodies this functionality is augmented reality GPS.
MR or Mixed reality, true to its name, blends elements of reality and virtuality to create environments for unique interactions and experiences. The distinguishing characteristic of MR is that the physical and digital can co-exist and interact in real-time. As MR become more pronounced in future technologies, the boundaries of what one may define as real may continue to be stretched to degrees we could not have imagined a few years prior.
The last term that needs to be defined is XR or Extended Reality. XR is the simplest to understand between all the different terms, simply put by Bernard Marr in his Forbes article, it is “an umbrella term used to describe immersive technologies that can merge the physical and virtual worlds.”
With these emerging technologies, as a designer or creator, one must wonder how these will affect how we make things in this different medium for interaction. Designing within an immersive environment is can be quite difficult. The entire experience of an XR interaction falls entirely on how well it is designed. This is where Immersive Experience Design comes in. This field of design focuses on the experience of interacting between the physical and virtual worlds.
Personal Summary:
Truthfully, it is hard for me to feel wary of any technology that will potentially become Star Trek’s Holodeck; however, that is from the perspective of a consumer. As a designer, I believe designing for the new mediums will provide an interesting challenge to my own prior experiences as a user experience designer. As a designer and consumer, I am personally excited to see these new upcoming technologies and how it will change how I will design for and how I will consume new media.
More info at Exploring the Virtuality Continuum
For more info about VR visit: https://www.pocket-lint.com/ar-vr/news/136540-what-is-vr-virtual-reality-explained
For more info about AR visit: https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/augmented-reality-AR
For more info about MR visit: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/mixed-reality
For more info about XR visit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/08/12/what-is-extended-reality-technology-a-simple-explanation-for-anyone/#18d2e7f37249
For more info about Immersive Experience Design visit: https://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2018/06/xr-design-imagination-immersion-and-presence.php
