Manu Vikraman

How VR revolutionize the shopping experience: IKEA VR Popup Store

Client: IKEA

My Role: Principal XR Designer

Objective: To create an immersive VR experience for IKEA customers in Kuwait, enhancing their in-store shopping experience, and evaluating the impact on customer decision-making and sales. Subsequently, to expand this successful model to IKEA stores in Morocco and Jordan.

Approach:

1. Conducted thorough research on IKEA’s offerings, competitive analysis, and user expectations.
2. Developed two conceptual approaches: a VR experience center (later named Popup Store) and a portable full experience center for deployment in various locations.
3. Collaborated closely with the IKEA team to gather dimensions and details of products for accurate modeling.
4. Utilized a combination of purchased models and custom-built ones, optimizing for performance and customization options.
5. Designed an intuitive interface to navigate the extensive inventory of furniture models, considering user unfamiliarity with VR and minimizing learning curves.
6. Addressed challenges such as object collision and movement realism through iterative design and user testing.
7. Developed an adaptive UI design inspired by VESA monitor mounts to minimize user discomfort during prolonged exploration.
8. Incorporated feedback from IKEA and internal testing to refine the experience and ensure realism and user satisfaction.
9. Expanded the experience to IKEA stores in Morocco and Jordan, incorporating language options and further optimizations based on user feedback from Kuwait.

Outcome:

• Successful implementation of the VR experience in IKEA Kuwait, leading to enhanced customer engagement, decision-making, and potential sales boost.
• Recognition of the project’s success, with nominations for best design awards in the UAE.
• Expansion of the experience to IKEA stores in Morocco and Jordan, indicating scalability and positive reception across different regions.
• Continued refinement based on user feedback, ensuring the ongoing success and relevance of the VR experience in enhancing the IKEA shopping experience globally.

Key Points of My Experience with the IKEA VR Project:

1. Project Overview: IKEA approached the XR Labs startup in 2017 to explore VR for product visualization and showcase in IKEA Kuwait, aiming to enhance the in-store customer experience and evaluate its impact on decision-making and sales.
2. Role and Responsibilities: As the sole AR VR designer at XR Labs, my responsibilities included researching potential experiences, conducting competitive analysis, designing solutions, and creating the overall experience.
3. Conceptualization: Developed two concepts: a VR experience center (later named Popup Store by IKEA) and a portable full experience center for deployment in various locations like malls.
4. Modeling Challenges: Faced challenges in modeling due to the extensive range of IKEA products. Utilized a combination of purchased models and custom-built ones, optimizing for performance and customization options.
5. Interface Design Challenges: Designed a user-friendly interface for navigating hundreds of furniture models, considering the unfamiliarity of VR for many users. Also addressed challenges such as object collision and movement realism.
6. Feedback Integration: Incorporated feedback from IKEA and internal testing to improve realism and user experience, including adjustments to object proportions and adding a sense of weight to objects.
7. Adaptive UI Design: Developed an adaptive UI design to minimize user discomfort and neck strain during prolonged exploration of the vast inventory, inspired by VESA monitor mounts.
8. Enhancements and Expansion: After successful implementation at IKEA Kuwait, the experience was expanded to other European countries, incorporating language options and further optimizations based on user feedback.
9. Recognition: The VR experience I contributed to was nominated for best design awards in the UAE, reflecting its success and impact in the retail VR space.

Overall, my involvement in the IKEA VR project encompassed various challenges, from modeling and interface design to user comfort and expansion, resulting in a successful and recognized application of VR technology in retail.
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Please be informed that my portfolio only allows sharing of images. Due to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with my clients, I cannot disclose any videos. I respect their content and confidentiality. However, if necessary, I am open to showcasing my work in a closed session with limited access for authorized individuals. Thank you for your understanding.