Essential Pre-screening Questions to Ask Virtual Reality (VR) Designer

What is your understanding of Virtual Reality technology?

In trying to understand a candidate's depth of knowledge, start by asking them to define what Virtual Reality technology is to them. This question opens up a potential discussion about the different aspects of virtual reality, its potentials, benefits, and its broad impact on various industries.

Can you describe the key considerations when designing for VR?

A good VR designer should be able to instinctively consider the user experience, hardware restrictions, motion sickness possibilities, narrative design, and adaptation to the environment. Their response can shed light on their design approach when faced with VR projects.

What experience do you have with VR design and development software?

From Unity3D (often combined with scripting languages like C# or Java) to the Unreal Engine, there are several tools available for VR design. How familiar a candidate is with these tools can provide insight into their technical competence and adaptability.

What VR projects have you worked on previously and what was your role in them?

This question helps you gauge their practical experience in the field. More specifically, you can ascertain their contributions to previous projects and what skills they've cultivated through hands-on work.

How do you approach solving design challenges in VR?

VR design is often rife with complex challenges—from reducing motion sickness to ensuring user immersion. Finding out a designer's approach towards problem-solving in these constraints is crucial for a successful project.

What gaming platforms have you developed VR content for?

The diversity of VR platforms—from Oculus Rift to PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, and mobile VR setups like Samsung Gear—can be quite vast. Understanding a potential hire’s experience across these platforms can give an indication of their versatility.

Do you have experience collaborating with cross-functional teams during VR projects?

Great VR projects are often the result of teamwork. Designers need to work closely with engineers, sound designers, UX researchers, and other stakeholders, making this question fundamental to understanding a candidate’s team skills.

Do you have any experience in user research and usability testing in VR?

User research and usability testing are integral parts of the VR design process. This question allows you to check if the candidate can understand user needs, gather data, and iterate on their designs based on feedback.

Have you ever had to pitch a VR design idea to stakeholders or a client?

Last but not least, pitching ideas is a fundamental skill any VR designer should display. It shows that they can communicate and sell their ideas effectively, which is vital in any project scenario.