What does this mean?
The introduction of virtual environments gave us a way of escaping reality from the comfort of the office chair. Instead of passively watching someone explain or show something from their living room, people can now interact with a product or service immersed in virtual retail spaces, fashion shows or conference rooms. Virtual environments provide a taste of escapism that everyone has been yearning for. Not only do they allow users to experience somewhere new but the spaces can be designed with unlimited imagination, allowing infinite possibilities from floating cities and colourful landscapes to barren deserts. As Charlotte Taylor, interior designer and creative director, explains to Dezeen: “utopian and fictional spaces feed into people’s imaginations and appetite for a change of scenery, be it completely possible or not.”
However, with all the virtual engagement through immersive environments and digital ‘getaways,’ we continue to strive for the one thing that has been missing all along: tactility. The pandemic has left us with a drought of creativity and wanderlust. This will influence the design of live experiences moving forward.