Pollution VR Data Visualization and Storytelling UX

By: Melvin He (Spring 2023) [was initially used as primer for first in-class VR activity of the semester]

Introduction:

In this activity, we will be delving into the world of VR and its applications in environmental storytelling, specifically pollution data storytelling. We will be comparing and contrasting webVR, videoVR, and pre-existing software for exploring data visualizations.

By the end of this activity, you will have a better understanding of how these different technologies can be used to create immersive and engaging VR data visualizations.


Pre-Installation (10 min)

Why visualize Pollution & Environment data in VR?

Technologies we will explore:

WebVR

WebVR is a technology that allows VR experiences to be accessed through a web browser, eliminating the need for a standalone VR app. We will explore how webVR can be used to create data visualizations that are accessible and easy to share with others.

To create WebVR, you may need to follow these steps:


VideoVR

VideoVR, on the other hand, is a technology that allows for 360-degree videos to be viewed in VR. We will explore how videoVR can be used to create immersive storytelling experiences that incorporate data visualizations.

To create VideoVR on YouTube, you may need a 360-degree camera to capture the video footage. Once you have captured the video, you can follow these steps to upload it to YouTube as a VideoVR:


VR Software

VR Software (including Unity, Nanome, Flow Immersive, Blender, and Sketchup) allows us to create interactive and customizable visualizations that can be used in VR.

To use pre-existing VR software for data visualization, you can follow these steps: