SoLook’s Digital Experience Design (DXD) practice connects the worlds of physical and digital design by delivering holistic strategies and integrated designs for the built environment.

As a Digital Experience Design (DXD) company, we strive to create engaging and immersive experiences that connect the physical and digital worlds. We believe that designing for the built environment requires a holistic approach that considers the needs of both the physical space and the people who inhabit it. Our team of designers, strategists, and technologists work together to deliver integrated designs that seamlessly blend the physical and digital realms.

Here are some examples of how we approach DXD design:

• Interactive Installations: We can develop interactive installations that use technology to create immersive and engaging experiences within physical spaces. From projection mapping to touch screens to augmented reality, we can leverage various technologies to create unique and memorable experiences.
• Digital Signage: We can design and implement digital signage systems that provide relevant and contextual information to people in physical spaces. This can include wayfinding, event schedules, and other types of content that enhance the user experience.
• Mobile Apps: We can develop mobile apps that enhance the user experience within physical spaces. This can include features such as mobile ordering, mobile payments, and loyalty programs that seamlessly connect the digital and physical worlds.
• Smart Environments: We can design smart environments that use sensors, data, and automation to optimize the user experience within physical spaces. This can include features such as lighting and temperature control, occupancy sensing, and personalized recommendations based on user behavior.
• Integrated Brand Experiences: We can develop integrated brand experiences that connect the physical and digital realms to deliver a cohesive and memorable brand experience. This can include digital and physical activations, experiential marketing campaigns, and other types of immersive brand experiences.

At SoLook DXD, we strive to create designs that are not only visually compelling but also functional, intuitive, and engaging. By blending the physical and digital worlds, we aim to create experiences that are truly memorable and impactful for our clients and their customers.

What is Mixed Reality?

Mixed Reality is the most recent development in reality technologies, which we at SoLook R&D department are developing and using in all three different ways:

• Virtual reality (VR) places users in a 100% artificial digital environment.
• Augmented reality (AR) uses overlays to display virtual objects in the real-world environment.
• Mixed reality (MR) goes beyond overlays, anchoring virtual objects to the real world for interaction.

There are two types of Mixed Reality. The first type is Mixed Reality, starting with the real world. Virtual objects are not simply overlaid in the real world, but there is interaction with virtual objects. A user would environment while digital content is added to it; moreover, a user can interact with virtual objects. Technically, this type of mixed reality is an advanced AR technology.

The other type of MR starts with the virtual world, and the user is anchored to an interactive digital environment replacing the real world. The digital objects in this environment overlap real objects. In VR the virtual environment has no connection to the real world around a user. A Windows mixed reality headset would be an example of a way to experience this technology.

In experiential marketing, we are constantly finding new ways to bring our clients’ products to a consumer and give them an experience they won’t soon forget. We strive to plan activations that will not only reach people but also get them excited about the products. Mixed Reality can keep an audience engaged with a brand, and reach a larger audience. It’s the cutting edge of technology, and brands are beginning to find success blending realities for a more immersive experience. VR and AR have their applications, but the future is Mixed Reality. Now that we have an understanding of MR, let’s discuss how this technology can be applied in the experiential marketing world.

Why Use Mixed Reality for Events?

One of our favorite benefits of MR is the immersive factor, which is a step above VR and AR. A pure VR experience can wow a user with a digital world, but allowing that user to interact with that world makes for a more memorable experience.

Another benefit for events is slimming down the space needed at the venue while providing an expansive space to display your products. Trade shows in particular often require massive amounts of space to accommodate all of the different items on display. Car shows in particular require hundreds of thousands of square feet to fit their vehicle displays. Mixed reality could eliminate the need for expansive venues while providing a better brand experience. Companies like Volvo are working on tech that would allow potential customers to engage with their cars through headsets. Instead of needing a space to display the entire fleet of vehicles, a full demo of each car could be held in a single space, with interaction to open doors, start the vehicle, walk around it, etc.

MR technology is also well used on event stages such as the usage of Microsoft HoloLens by Cirque du Soleil to turn a demonstration into an experience. Seeing how the team created their staging in a live demo is a fascinating way to use the MR technology.

Looking forward, MR can accomplish virtual attendance at events, which will help brands expand the audience that is able to enjoy an experience. Live streams can help with audience expansion, but it’s not as personal as an experience specifically designed to accommodate virtual attendees.

How to Implement Mixed Reality at an Event

There are a lot of questions and players needed to successfully accomplish a Mixed Reality experience. The main barrier is the technology, who will build the experience? What should the goal be for our experience? What technology is needed for the users to have an unforgettable experience? How much space do we need? These are questions we recommend discussing with an experiential marketing firm. A Mixed Reality experience must be properly executed for a flawless experience. The technology involved is still developing, and it’s best to hire SoLook experts in the field. Have an incredible idea for a mixed reality activation? We’d love to partner with you and make it happen.