View source for Cardboard Design Lab

[[Cardboard Design Lab]] is an [[android]] [[app]] developed by [[Google]]. It was created to teach the principles of designing for [[virtual reality]] inside [[virtual reality]].<ref>https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/developers/</ref> It can be accessed by any user who possesses a smartphone along with a [[Google Cardbord]] [[slide-on HMD]]. It debuted at I/O  2015, alongside the updated Google Cardboard.

==Introduction==
Cardboard Design Lab is developed by Google and can be installed for free on any smartphone running the android operating system. The app needs a Google Cardboard for full functionality. The app teaches design principles for developing in VR within VR. The app puts the user inside a VR environment and teaches the fundamentals of VR design in a very effective way.
Cardboard Design Lab is meant to start and arise discussions between developers and designers. The app features two different sections for the users. One is “Foundation” which shows and demonstrates the basic principles with examples. The other section is “Immersion” which explores advanced principles by different beautiful audio and video examples <ref>https://userexperienceawards.com/2015-submissions/cardboard-design-lab/</ref>

==Features==
The program runs through 10 fundamental design aspects:
# Using a Reticle
# UI Depth & Eye Strain
# Using Constant Velocity
# Keeping the User Grounded
# Maintaining Head Tracking
# Guiding with Light
# Leveraging Scale
# Spatial Audio
# Gaze Cues
# Make it Beautiful

"Over the last several months, we've been, as designers, really digging into what makes a beautiful, amazing design experience. We hit on a few things that are just basic guiding principles. But one of the things that we figured out early on was that really the best way to learn or see or experience anything in VR, you really can't talk about it or just draw it. You actually have to be there," said Jon Wiley, a Google Cardboard designer. 

Created in partnership with design studio UsTwo, Cardboard Design Lab, a simple VR app that teaches how to build effective VR apps works on almost any modern Android smartphone in conjuction with a Cardboard-style headset. All that users have to do is open the lab and enjoy a short guided tour through the best practices for virtual environments.<ref>http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/29/8687219/google-cardboard-design-lab-virtual-reality-io-2015</ref>

The application demonstrates things like the best distance to place text, the importance of smooth motion, and the use of light, which can subtly guide users in a 360-degree environment. As such, the application is not aimed at seasoned developers, but rather at people who might otherwise be intimidated by coding. 

The app is currently only available for Android, and, although Google has recently updated their Cardboard Unity SDK with iOS support, a spokesperson told Road to VR that there’s “No concrete plans [to bring this app to] iOS at the moment.”<ref>http://www.roadtovr.com/googles-new-cardboard-design-lab-app-uses-vr-to-teach-you-about-vr-design/</ref>
==System Requirements==
Android 4.1 and up.
To fully enjoy this app you'll need a viewer that works with Google Cardboard.<ref>https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.cardboard.apps.designlab&hl=en</ref>
==Setup Instructions==
The application is available on Google Play Store. No special configuration is required. 
==Images and Videos==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uf-ru2Ndvc 2015 UX Awards: Cardboard Design Lab] - Introduction of Cardboard Design Lab
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oVu7Uglkp4 Cardboard Design Labs Preview] - Preview of the Cardboard Design Lab
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvHSDenBiZc The VR Shop Review - Cardboard Design Lab App] - Review of Cardboard Design Lab
==References==
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