Why we must design a metaverse for all
There are many predictions in how organizations will create the metaverse for consumers. But the picture is still fuzzy how it will become commonplace anytime soon. And will it really only appeal to gamers or digital natives?
A recent visit to a local open studio of artists in my local “Kiez” of Berlin, gave a small glimpse into how one such a future might evolve.
A local artist showcased the virtual worlds that he was building. Guests could explore these wearing VR goggles, or watching them on a screen. They could also draw and create their own 3D art and environment, using VR itself. — Now, I have seen VR sets at events for many years, where designers showed off their virtual world design, but this was always in the context of the tech industry. Here the technology reached into the lives of the public.
It was also surprising to hear how the artist described himself: “I am not a computer person, I just like building virtual worlds for people in VR.” — He didn’t like the keyboard and screen that he was sitting in front off at that moment, but preferred using the VR environment itself to create the art.
Finally, it was interesting to observe the diverse demographic that the artist reached: from 7 to 70 years old explored the medium with curiosity and excitement.
This is just a small signal among the many developments that are happening right now. But it is a small glimpse into how VR and the metaverse can reach a diverse range of demographics, beyond gamers or digital natives.
This means that we cannot simply design for the young tech savvy user. Design must be universal, for all people of all abilities — mental, physical, visual + abilities. It must be universally designed for its users, but also the tools that are provided to creators. Brands who apply universal design will find it a strong method for building trust and loyalty, but also enable their products and services to reach its full success potential by being able to access a larger target market.
Image credit: DALL-E
