Interviewing VR/AR Designer

Augmented reality and virtual world designers create concepts for virtual environments and handle their actual implementation in AR and VR projects. Augmented reality, or AR, combines the real world with virtual objects based on the natural environment. VR only simulates reality without interacting with it. A person is immersed in and interacts with a reconstructed world or a world created from scratch. As technology advances, this design field is becoming increasingly popular. AR is increasingly used in advertising, entertainment, and education, while VR is widely popular in video games and movies. Therefore, hiring a VR/AR designer is a challenging task. In this interview guide, I will help you interview VR/AR designers by outlining their skills and interview structure. I will also share possible questions you can ask them during the interview.

Interviewing E-Commerce Operations Manager

Skills of a VR/AR Designer

Creating a virtual world is a labor-intensive process that requires knowledge of both design and programming. In addition, designers need to have a good understanding of human psychology to avoid causing harm. The skills of artists, sociologists, marketers, and educators are also beneficial. In terms of practical skills, a good virtual reality designer must:

Have developed 3D thinking.
Be able to recognize the shape of objects and work with depth and space.
Create a realistic world with attention to detail.
Be able to work with textures, light, and shadows.
Plan space and skillfully manage composition.
Know a programming language.
Be fluent in English, as almost all information and resources are available only in this language.

It is also worth noting that AR and VR are divided into three types:

Storytelling: When a person interacts with the world according to a given scenario.
Image-making: When magical or supernatural abilities, such as teleportation or flight, are added to real physical capabilities.
Improvisation: When there is no predetermined action and almost anything can happen.

If you work in the storytelling genre, you need to develop an interesting plot and be both a writer and a director. If you specialize in image generation, you will definitely need creativity, a strong imagination, and the ability to think outside the box. Usually, people with a narrow specialization work on virtual reality projects. Therefore, one of the most important qualities for this job is the ability to communicate effectively and respond quickly to feedback.

Interview structure of VR/AR Designer

The interview structure helps to ask essential questions at the right time. Therefore, I will divide the whole process into three rounds for specific segments. These rounds will help you evaluate the candidate effectively.

Round 1: General Screening (30 minutes) – This round aims to gain a basic understanding of the candidate’s experience and skills in VR/AR design.
Round 2: Technical Interview (60 minutes) – This round focuses on evaluating technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and programming skills related to the role.
Round 3: Portfolio Review and Behavioral Interview (60 minutes) – This round reviews the candidate’s past work and assesses their cultural fit within the organization.

Interview question of VR/AR Designer

What experience do you have in working with VR/AR development platforms, such as Unity or Unreal Engine?
Can you give an account of the entire process involving any VR/AR project you worked on—from concept to realization?
How do you ensure that you are informed about new technologies and changes in the VR/AR sector?
What would be your favorite VR/AR experiences, and why?
How do you define VR and AR?
How would you rate your experience in working with 3D modeling software, such as Maya or Blender?
What procedures do you undertake to create deep and realistic virtual environments for interactivity?
Elaborate on what you understand by stereoscopic rendering.
What different techniques have you employed in your VR/AR projects to adapt to varying hardware configurations?
What would be your process for developing a UI for VR glasses?
How do you deal with issues related to motion sickness in VR experiences?
What is spatial audio, and why is it relevant in Virtual or Augmented Reality?
We would like you to present one of your AR/VR case studies from your portfolio and focus on your personal involvement.
How were user tests and feedback conducted while developing the application?
What was the most difficult AR/VR project you have had to complete, and how did you manage it?
What is your role with other team members, especially programmers or artists?
How would you maintain your motivation and creativity while facing new challenges in the domain of VR/AR content development?
What is one situation in which you had to learn how to use a different VR/AR platform or technology?
What do you think VR/AR technologies will look like in the future?
Do you have any questions regarding the position or us as a company?

Conclusion

It is crucial to precisely pinpoint the creative and technical aspects when searching for the right VR/AR designer. A designer in this field should be able to harness 3D visualization, coding, and teamwork, among other creative aspects. It is wise to consider breaking down the interviewing process into a few elements: a general work-up, a deep dive into the technical aspects, and management of the candidate’s portfolio. If you concentrate on already defined questions, you’ll be able to make a powerful statement not only about the technical abilities of candidates but also about what their contributions toward the goals and values of the team would entail.