Awe-inspiring soundscape, mood-triggering haptics and dopamine-inducing colours will bring joy and wellness to the mirror-world.

There is something to the idea that virtual reality can improve mental health. In 2021 already, on the back of Meta large scale investment in the metaverse, FastCompany was questioning the burgeoning of such 3.0 mental health industry. Two years later, while the metaverse is still in its infancy, the number of companies working to bring mental health applications to the virtual world is booming. Early studies are looking at the way virtual reality can impact mood and behaviour. The technology is even being tested as a therapy for schizophrenia.

In most cases, app developers, designers and experience makers focus on 3 sensorial components all together: Soundscape, Haptic feedback, and Colour.

Soundscape

a key component when it comes to attention, atmosphere and emotions, sound-design for three-dimensional experiences will gain momentum: as a mean to recreate reality with accuracy (think of the loud sound of steps in the snow, or the delicate vibrations of washi-paper) or to create the abstract (what does space sounds like?). Proof of the growing investment in that segment, Icelandic deeptech company Treble Technologies, which specialises in sound simulation for real-world application as well as bringing hyper-realistic audio soundscapes to the metaverse, has raised €8m。

Haptic Feedback

Haptic is a fast growing part of the industry, and will soon pose as an unmissable part of any successful mirror-world experience. Relying on vibrations produced both by accessories (eg. haptic gloves) or by the handset directly (eg. haptic drive), these triggers the touch sensory realm and trick the mind into feeling the virtual. There are quite a few experimental products and research projects for sensory impressions in VR and AR. Some haptic gloves are already advanced enough for use in industry, such as the HaptX Gloves G1 with pneumatic pressure or the Senseglove Nova with artificial tendons

Colour

as we mentioned in our latest report on colours for the mirror-world, this is a space to watch as we will see a lot of “joyful, dopamine inducing brights” coming through in both real and surreal digital experiences. The WGSN & Toppan Gemini teams had the chance to visit Universal Everything Life form’s show in London in November, where splashes of colours and materials were brought to life in the shape multi-shaped otherworldly digital characters walking and dancing around the exhibition. Another experience worth noting, with Tripp – which involved a series of pulsating psychedelic images timed to coincide with breathing exercises.

Bringing all these elements together, the mirror-world and its AR/VR application already promise a variety of mesmerising worlds and awe-provoking experiences, providing a new way to express joy and provide wellness to users.

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