Talk design and virtual reality at this new meetup

A new meetup in D.C. is looking at how virtual reality is designed.

Alexandra Tobolsky and Kashyap Sridhar created VRUXDC to explore user-centered design principles in the context of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. The meetup will focus on topics like effective storytelling, motion sickness awareness, sound immersion and usability testing.

While there’s lots of focus on expanding technological capabilities in a fast-growing medium, “Human Factors or the user’s experience should be one of the primary design considerations for a product or service,” Tobolsky said.

On Tuesday, August 29, VRUXDC will host its first meeting at ByteCubed’s headquarters in Arlington, Va. Following a networking hour, ByteCubed Creative Director Jordan Higgins will share some of the lessons learned from the firm’s work  in Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Partner Program.He will also discuss key design principles in understanding 3D holographic computing.

Did you get #VR #AR #UX itch at #UXDC2017? Get more of @jhiggins at @vruxdc kickoff 8/29: https://t.co/p4jsPcqITB @DCUX #DCtech

— UXDC Conference (@uxdc) August 3, 2017

VRUXDC will focus on the importance of addressing all the aspects of users’ engagement and immersion with virtual reality technology. Sridhar told Technical.ly that this is the key in creating a VR experience that’s realistic, and where a user feels like they become part of the virtual story.

“Applying user-centered design principles based on a user’s capabilities and limitations is crucial to ensuring a great user experience and enhances successful adoption and usage,” Sridhar said.

While both Tobolsky and Sridhar are active members of the UX community in D.C. and share a deep interest in virtual reality. They look forward to growing their skillsets alongside the incoming members.

“We are amateur filmmakers and photographers and ultimately hope to specialize in content creation for VR environments,” Tobolsky said. “This group will be structured to engage in two-way conversation with community needs and wants.”

To learn more and RSVP for the event, click the button below.