SamsungVR | SM Design

Samsung VR Videos

Platforms

Rift

Quest

Gear VR

Role: UI | UX VR Design Lead

3ds Max

Photoshop

Illustrator

Unity

After Effects

prototypes

Compatible Devices

Samsung Phones:

• Galaxy S9 / S9+

• Galaxy Note 8

• Galaxy S8 / S8+

• Galaxy Note FE

• Galaxy S7 / S7 edge

• Galaxy Note 5

• Galaxy S6 / S6 edge / S6 edge+

Web and Mobile: (Not featured)

Tablets: • Galaxy Tab S2 • Galaxy Tab S3 Apple Phones: • Devices running iOS 11 or greater

Samsung VR’s library of immersive VR 360 videos involves curating different categories for users to scroll through their personalized feed, filled with content tailored to their tastes. Users can download their favorite videos to watch later at home using their Gear VR. Below are several of my responsibilities, managed by a small team of designers with some external work from a 3rd-party vendor:

• Sports – Explore the training routines of iconic athletes and immerse yourself in a breathtaking 360° view of major games.

• Autos and machines – Samsung VR puts you in the driver's seat, allowing you to experience adrenaline-pumping moments from the safety of your living room.

• Nature – Feel connected to nature through immersive documentaries showcasing your favorite wildlife filmed beautifully in their natural habitats.

• Science – Access fascinating videos on space and science for out-of-this-world experiences, all at your fingertips through Samsung VR.

• Travel – Find inspiration for your next getaway with a variety of videos, whether you're planning a vacation or want to experience sandy beaches from home.

• Games – Step into the shoes of iconic video game characters and explore their incredible worlds firsthand.

• Brands – Keep updated with content from your favorite brands and entertainment networks.

The following sections highlight more focused areas of my work within the team.

Samsung VR Videos

We created a video service for mobile VR and room-scale headsets, catering to both 3 and 6 degrees of freedom when no other service existed, was a fun and unique challenge. Understanding how to create exceptional visuals for both 2D and 3D devices was crucial for grasping the user experience, particularly in spatial design. Possessing technical knowledge to maintain high frame rates for a smooth, fully immersive viewing experience was also pivotal for the project's success. Samsung VR videos are optimized for the Gear VR controller, aiding users in navigating through new worlds.

Key takeaways and challenges:

• Configuring navigation to function with hardware or controllers.

• Managing sign-ins, content following, and customizing the user's video experience.

• Enabling following and purchasing of videos.

There were a few competitors in the space, but Samsung VR was one of the first video applications released.

Creating Immersive Screens

The main explore window embodies this challenge. The concept of a wider panel extending beyond the user's immediate view was pivotal in enhancing the application's sense of immersion. While the other screens in the main menu remain constantly visible, the explore window above provides additional screen space. The purple area denotes the user's screen display. Ensuring the visual content extends to both sides with minimal head movement and utilizing the 360-degree space were both crucial to creating a more immersive screen for content discovery within the app. The goal for this screen was to keep the UI centered to reduce head fatigue while also fostering immersion as one of the primary menu screens. Thumbnails positioned on the right side and icons contribute to team collaboration.

UGC

The Samsung VR app wasn't just a VR video player; it was a platform where users could upload their own content, share it with friends, family, and the wider world, showcasing their personally shot 180 or 360 videos. Users were empowered to upload and share video content, offering an entirely user-centric platform to modify, edit, and even create interactive movies for uploading to the service. This was the first of its kind.

Working with a team of designers, we developed the aforementioned layouts, including a drop-down menu and floating UI guiding the user through frames containing videos, categories, and premium content. Additional concepts were explored by an external group.

Orginal Pagination Navigation

Tapping can be executed using your hand or finger on the side of the headset. Developing new concepts for pagination design was best demonstrated by mocking up and animating in a 2D editing program, allowing sharing with team members or quick trials within the application. This represents one of several examples generated.

Utilizing new and experimental hardware involving tapping on the side of your VR headset presented challenges for navigating and exploring videos. This was done while considering any 3DoF or 6DoF, including external inputs or controllers that might be used.

Premium Content UI/UX Purchase Designs

After launching Samsung VR on multiple platforms, many of our partners wanted ways to monetize our 360 video service.

This posed problems on two fronts. Firstly, find the correct placement and real estate for both premium and non-premium content. Secondly, ensuring that the system supported the features on the CMS. Both of these challenges were resolved through design iterations, focusing on facilitating the user's easy progression and purchase of single premium videos, series, or episodes. The screens above illustrate this progression.

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