{"id":7756,"date":"2018-07-04T14:44:14","date_gmt":"2018-07-04T13:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uxstudioteam.com\/?p=7756"},"modified":"2022-05-19T14:34:38","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T13:34:38","slug":"vr-in-ux-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timemachine.uxstudioteam.com\/ux-blog\/vr-in-ux-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"VR In UX Research: All You Need To Know About VR User Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disruptive technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality radically change how we behave and interact with our world. As a consequence, they open up interesting new territories in UX research, too. VR in UX research can serve as an individual tool to explore user needs and test complex user experiences. We collected some best practices for those looking to learn more about or just getting started with VR user testing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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So why does VR even matter? Its technologies can bring immersive experiences into people\u2019s homes like no other technology can. It can take people places they can\u2019t afford to visit, help teach new skills, even fight phobias. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a UX researcher, I’m really excited about how this new technology is changing my field of expertise. With its multi-sensory and interactive features, VR presents a wide range of opportunities to take advantage of its potentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

VR in UX research<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, how could UX research<\/a> also benefit from VR technologies? By building virtual prototypes of an environment or service, one can test the context in which users interact with a product. This gives a clearer picture of the complexity of the whole experience more cost-effectively. What real-life examples show where to use VR as a research tool?<\/p>\n

We at our\u00a0UX company<\/a> always get really excited when new technologies bear the potential of changing the way we work! Below, we are listing a few areas where we see that virtual reality research of user experience is already in practice or might soon become the industry norm. The application of VR in these areas of UX research may bring about amazing progress that we are super excited about!<\/span><\/p>\n

Applications of VR user testing in retail<\/span><\/h2>\n

Take store layouts. It is now possible to build store layouts in VR first to test and compare them. Keep in mind, however, that testing interactions for the whole store to make it more realistic proves technically more difficult and requires more programming. Still, it comes much more cost-effectively compared to renting a place and building up many layouts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Testing in a VR retail space offers unique opportunities <\/span>\u2013<\/span> test and compare several solutions and capture metrics with users before implementing in real life, saving time and money. You can even prototype customer service interactions and compare how they perform, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Test multiple store layouts in one place with VR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

VR user testing in the service industry<\/span><\/h2>\n

With virtual reality research in UX, it is now possible to test complex user experiences and services, like an airport security system. <\/span><\/p>\n

Assurity, a New Zealand-based technology delivery consultancy tested how passengers move through the customs gates at Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand. They designed a physical space and tested it in VR. <\/span><\/p>\n

The technology helped them better understand how users would use the space and what their preferences were. In the end, they increased the space after aviation security and divided it according to the users\u2019 preferred layout. (Check out the case study <\/span>here.<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

WYMA Engineering, a New Zealand-based engineering company uses VR to model their factories, so users (and later, clients) can experience what these factories would look and feel like before being built.<\/span><\/p>\n

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VR enables the testing of complex user experiences such as an airport customs gates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Countless possibilities<\/span><\/h2>\n

VR can simulate almost any type of real space.<\/span><\/p>\n