FAQs

Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions (FAQs):

1. Is ‘virtual’ the same as ‘virtual reality’?

Not necessarily. Virtual Reality or ‘VR’ refers specifically to experiences consumed via a VR headset. In many ways this is the natural home of immersive media, where the user can be fully immersed and multiple senses engaged. But ‘virtual’ can be used more broadly to describe any digital representation of a real or imagined experience, and may be consumed via a desktop, tablet, mobile or in VR.

2. What Is a Virtual Brand Experience?

Virtual Brand Experiences are the latest tool in brands’ armouries. They are an opportunity to fully-realise a brand’s promise, position and personality and then publish and broadcast it to the widest possible audience. Often it involves taking a real-world brand experience and making it accessible online, digitally or virtually across multiple devices. Available 24/7 from anywhere in the world, Virtual Brand Experiences include: Virtual Sales Tools, Virtual Training, Virtual Open Days, Virtual Tours, Virtual Recruitment and Virtual Tourism. They can serve both private and public sectors, and any industry.

3. What are the benefits of Virtual Tools?

Price, Reach, Inclusivity, Popularity, Environment.

• Price: Although there is a larger upfront cost, once created you’ll save as the tool is reusable time and time again.
• Reach: With just one virtual tool you can reach more customers around the world. Customers who are no longer limited to engaging face-to-face.
• Inclusivity: Virtual options break through accessibility restrictions and open the floor to all users. The only requirement is to have access to a computer or mobile phone.
• Popularity: Virtual tools are fitting with the recently transformed society and have become a popular choice. Customers now expect virtual options when engaging with brands. Those brands in turn become more popular as they stay up to date with latest trends.
• Environment: Virtual tools are reducing time spent on transportation and the need for non-essential travel. Sales teams no longer need to fly around the world for meetings like they did, international students can now ‘attend’ a university open day from the comfort of their own home.

4. What is a Virtual Tour?

Virtual Tours are a fantastic way to open your doors online. Allowing visitors to immerse themselves in physical locations in a way which traditional ‘flat’ photography can’t reproduce. An effective Virtual Tour starts with high quality 360 imagery which captures the details of the spaces and makes them feel bright and inviting. Then offers quick intuitive navigation routes. Finally it provides information along the way, just as you’d do in real life, to inform visitors and inspire them to take action.

5. Is there more than one type of Virtual Tour?

There are three types of virtual tour: (1) Google (2) Matterport (3) Custom. Each has its own strengths. A Google tour might be sufficient for a restaurant demonstrating their latest refurbishments to new customers, Matterport is best-suited for properties or single-site walkthroughs. Custom built tours are the gold standard and can be designed in any way you choose. University open days for international students, art exhibitions for posterity, manufacturers training new staff, agriculture organisations looking to educate farmers, music companies engaging with stakeholders. Possibilities are endless.

6. What is Virtual Tourism?

Virtual Tourism makes anywhere accessible at the click of a button. In the competitive travel and tourism marketplace, destinations and attractions need to find innovative ways to stand out; to attract, engage and inspire their customers. What better way than by giving them a taste of the real-life offer, which they can consume on their device at home, in a VR headset at an event, or even in a group experience? Content can be interactive – putting users in control of their journey. Or curated – taking them through the highlights on offer. And can be used across multiple marketing channels.

7. What is Virtual Recruitment?

Virtual Recruitment experiences give candidates the chance to see what their career might look like. These ‘Realistic Job Previews’ serve both to attract greater applicant quantities, while also filtering the best to improve candidate quality. We use the latest 360 imaging techniques to capture real people and places which tell stories about the employer brand, workplace facilities and the working day. Then build interactive experiences which put users in control to be informed and inspired as they go. Once created, content can be repurposed for multiple channels and used on the web, in campaigns, at events and on social media.

8. What is Virtual Training?

Virtual Training experiences are highly effective learning and development tools. By immersing users in educational content and allowing them to interact you not only increase engagement, but improve retention and performance too. These virtual experiences can transport users to places and situations which wouldn’t be feasible in real life, in a way that’s also repeatable and scalable, making it extremely cost-effective. Activity can be measured and tracked for monitoring and evaluation, and content can be hosted online for easy sharing or loaded into VR headsets for maximum impact.

9. What is a Virtual Open Day?

Virtual Open Days are essential for student recruitment in the education sector. Our Virtual Open Days use immersive 360 photos and videos to capture the experience of a real-life open day and make it available online so students and parents can explore 24/7 from wherever they are. We put visitors in control of what they see and support core visuals with interactive elements, rich media, audio guides, aerial imagery and call-to-actions. It can also be made fully accessible and updateable in future to stay fresh and relevant, and used as an innovative marketing tool at live and online events.

10. What are Virtual Sales Tools?

Virtual Sales Tools are essential for any business whose customers can’t easily visit in-person. Whether B2B or B2C, businesses spend a lot of time and effort in creating an experience for physical visitors but remote visitors often have to make do with a website or a phone call. We use the latest 360 technology to replicate real-world experiences. Unlike passively consuming a video or brochure, customers are in control; able to explore at their own pace to be taken on a curated journey towards taking the next step in the sale.

11. Do I need a VR headset to watch in Virtual Reality?

To watch in Virtual Reality (VR), in a fully immersive experience that feels like you’re in the room, yes. However, it’s worth noting that some organisations create virtual experiences for desktop and mobile consumption, and those won’t require a headset as they are simply a ‘Virtual Tool’ rather than ‘Virtual Reality’.

12. Are Virtual Brand Experiences expensive to make?

Virtual Brand Experiences don’t have to be expensive. They can start from as little as £5k for a basic project, moving to £20K+ for more extensive or elaborate builds. Project features can vary depending on price, including the likes of bespoke designs, detailed UX, unique navigation systems, use of various multimedia, hot spots, day and night toggles, drone footage, audio and voice-overs. How much you spend is up to you.

13. What’s the difference between VR and AR?

VR (Virtual Reality) takes a real-world experience and turns it into a photo/video format that can be viewed over and over, 24/7. AR (Augmented Reality) on the other hand superimposes objects into an environment, often seen within gaming or shopping experiences.

14. How can I watch Virtual videos?

Virtual tools such as Virtual Sales Tools, Virtual Training, Virtual Open Days, Virtual Tours, Virtual Recruitment, Virtual Tourism can be accessed using computer, mobile or through VR headsets. Not all virtual videos will need to be viewed through VR specific equipment.

15. Can my virtual experience be updated or amended in future?

Yes, all our builds are modular, meaning they can be updated whenever necessary to ensure they always represent the latest and best of your offering

16. How long does it take to create a Virtual Experience?

In most cases we recommend at least 2 weeks for pre-production planning, 1-2 days for production, and then 4-8 weeks for post-production, depending on how quickly you’re able to give feedback and approvals along the way. Obviously more complex projects can take longer.

17. I’ve not done anything like this before, will you provide guidance?

Yes, of course. We guide you through every step of what can be an unfamiliar process. Unpacking the options or making suggestions where necessary and giving you plenty of opportunity to input your own ideas to ensure we’re completely aligned with your vision and objectives.