“Designers often think they know their users. In practice, however, people tend to react to a design in unexpected ways,” Jos Thalen laughs. He therefore advises designers to make more use of VR – virtual reality. This will give both the designer and the user the opportunity to see and try out a design in a virtual environment.
Especially when arranging professional spaces it pays off to actively involve the users with the design. After all, they have the necessary practical experience. In order to make a contribution, however, the user should have a clear picture of the future situation. Julia Garde uses Design Games incorporating Virtual Reality to help the user reflect on new hospital environments.
Have a quick walk around
You can arrange this virtual hospital room as you like. A designer can quickly try out some scenarios – or have them tried out by doctors, nursing staff, patients, or others. For example, a nurse can test whether there is enough space around the bed to handle the patient.
Swing
Partners
University of Twente
Medisch Spectrum Twente
People
MSc. Julia A. Garde, University of Twente, PhD candidate
Contact
Julia A. Garde
j.a.garde@utwente.nl
Repar
Partners
Universiteit Twente
Eindhoven University of Technology
DAF trucks
Oce
Rademaker BV
People
MSc. Jos Thalen, University of Twente, PhD candidate
Contact
Jos Thalen
j.p.thalen [at] utwente . nl
www.repar-project.com
Funded by
IOP IPCR
Agentschap NL