ID [PNW]

With the recent introduction of effective and accessible virtual reality systems this new tool can be used in the context of industrial design and augment the design process. Virtual reality (VR) can be a useful tool and has the potential to radically improve the work flow for designers. The thesis of this research is that VR can improve the efficiency of the industrial design process through early visualization and evaluation of design concepts. In the early stages of a design project, many CAD sketch models can be created more quickly than physical models. These CAD sketch models can then be viewed and evaluated using VR very effectively. A one on one critique and discussion between a manager or professor and the designer can happen while viewing the designs in VR and on a screen. This allows for a convergence onto a design direction, which can then be further refined as a physical model. At the end of the design process, VR is also more effective at communicating design ...

by Prof. Jason A. Morris  May 11, 2018 Did you know that some of the latest and greatest product designs were designed by Western Washington University's elite industrial design program alumni? Here are just a few examples: Oculus Go Virtual Reality device: designed by Peter Bristol, creative director and Head of Industrial Design at Oculus, (class of 2004), Joe Sullivan (class of 2005) and Mauricio Romano (class of 2015) and the rest of the design team at Oculus. https://www.oculus.com/go/ Microsoft Surface Pro Designed by Carl Ledbetter, Principal Director of Design at Microsoft, (class of 1987), Benjamin Peterson, Industrial Designer at Microsoft Surface (class of 2011) and the rest of the design team at Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-pro/overview Xbox One X The world’s most powerful gaming console. Designed by Carl Ledbetter, Principal Director of Design at Microsoft, (class of 1987) an...