The Largest Unsolved Problem in VR.

Summary

This script delves into the evolution and philosophy of design, particularly focusing on virtual reality (VR) interfaces. It critiques the current state of VR design, referencing the 1995 film 'Johnny Mnemonic' as an early exploration of VR. The video advocates for user-centered design principles like affordances, signifiers, and feedback. It proposes five core principles for an ideal VR operating system, emphasizing respect for user space, hand-tracking, standardization, predictability, and establishing a clear conceptual model. The script concludes by celebrating the potential of VR and urging designers to innovate while respecting human intuition.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The script discusses the evolution of virtual reality (VR) interfaces, starting with Keanu Reeves' film 'Johnny Mnemonic' as an early representation of VR.
• 🤔 It questions why modern VR interfaces are still frustrating and not as intuitive as once imagined, despite technological advancements.
• 📚 The video introduces the philosophical foundations of design, emphasizing principles from Don Norman's work, such as 'good design is invisible'.
• 🚀 The script highlights three key design principles: affordances, signifiers, and feedback, which are crucial for effective user interaction.
• 🚪 It uses the example of a door to explain affordances and signifiers, showing how good design should guide user interaction intuitively.
• ⚠️ The importance of correct signifiers is underscored by recounting the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, where a bad signifier led to disaster.
• 📱 The script points out the longevity of certain UI designs, like the iPhone and Macintosh, suggesting that good design contributes to widespread adoption.
• 🔄 It questions the stagnation of UI design in the digital world, pondering whether it's due to familiarity or a lack of innovation.
• 🕶️ The video describes VR's unique challenge of designing without physical constraints, which can lead to both limitless possibilities and confusion.
• 👐 The script advocates for a VR OS that respects user space, is hand-tracking focused, standardized, predictable, and defines a clear conceptual model.
• 💡 Lastly, the video encourages innovation in VR design, drawing on human intuition and existing knowledge to create interfaces that enhance the VR experience.

Q & A

What was the first virtual reality film that Keanu Reeves starred in?

The first virtual reality film that Keanu Reeves starred in was 'Johnny Mnemonic' in 1995, which preceded the Matrix.

What are the three main principles of design according to Don Norman's books?

The three main principles of design according to Don Norman are affordances, signifiers, and feedback.

What is the 'Golden Rule' of design?

The 'Golden Rule' of design is that good design is invisible, meaning it should work so well that the user doesn't notice the design itself.

Why are doors often used as an example of bad design?

Doors are often used as an example of bad design because they can be confusing in their operation (push, pull, or slide), especially when signifiers are not clear.

What is the concept of 'affordance' in design?

Affordance in design refers to the possible interactions a human can have with an object, such as a door's ability to swing open and closed.

What is a 'signifier' in the context of design?

A signifier in design communicates to people how they can interact with the affordances of an object, like a glow indicating an object can be interacted with in VR.

What is the role of 'feedback' in design?

Feedback in design is the return of information to the user, such as a haptic buzz or a color change, confirming an interaction has occurred.

What is the term 'Schoris' in the context of VR design?

Schoris refers to the practice of using digital design elements that mimic physical objects to make interfaces more intuitive and recognizable.

Why do modern VR interfaces often make users feel stupid or frustrated?

Modern VR interfaces often make users feel stupid or frustrated because they don't align with the conceptual models users have built from physical reality, leading to a lack of intuitive interaction.

What are the five core principles for a VR operating system as suggested in the script?

The five core principles for a VR operating system are: respecting the user's space, designing for hand tracking first, standardization of core OS and menu systems, predictability of confirmation, and defining a clear VR conceptual model.

What is the 'Heisenberg effect of spatial interaction' mentioned in the script?

The 'Heisenberg effect of spatial interaction' refers to the phenomenon where a user's wrist pitches slightly when interacting with a target using a controller, often resulting in misclicks.

What is the significance of the 'shared space' concept in Apple's Vision Pro?

The 'shared space' concept in Apple's Vision Pro signifies a 3D desktop environment where applications can exist as flat 2D panels, 3D volumes, or full-screen immersive experiences, providing an intuitive model for users familiar with traditional desktop interfaces.