Virtual reality (VR) is reshaping how creative professionals approach design and advertising. From immersive architectural walkthroughs to interactive ad campaigns, VR in design offers groundbreaking ways to engage clients and audiences. However, challenges like high costs and technical expertise requirements mean creative agencies must navigate this technology strategically. In this post, we explore the opportunities and pitfalls of virtual reality in the creative industry, spotlight trending tools, and share practical insights to help design studios and agencies thrive.
Why virtual reality matters in design and advertising
Virtual reality is transforming the creative landscape by enabling designers and advertisers to craft immersive experiences that captivate and inspire. In design, VR allows professionals to visualize concepts in 3D, enhancing collaboration and client presentations. In advertising, VR in design creates memorable campaigns that drive engagement. As VR adoption grows, projected to reach 216 million active users worldwide by the end of 2025, it’s becoming a must-know tool for creative agencies aiming to stay ahead.
Opportunities for creative professionals
Revolutionizing design visualization
Virtual reality in design empowers creators to bring concepts to life in ways 2D sketches cannot. Architects can use tools like IrisVR to offer clients virtual walkthroughs of unbuilt spaces, enabling real-time feedback and faster decision-making. Product designers benefit from VR platforms like Gravity Sketch, which allow 3D modeling directly in a virtual environment, streamlining prototyping and reducing costs. For UI/UX designers, tools like ShapesXR make it easier to test immersive interfaces, ensuring user-friendly experiences.
Making advertising campaigns more impactful
In advertising, VR in design delivers immersive experiences that create lasting impact. For example, BLACKPINK’s 2025 VR concert, in collaboration with Meta, allowed fans with Meta Quest headsets to secure virtual priority seating, delivering an engaging music experience that boosted fan interaction. Similarly, Foo Fighters’ 2025 Meta virtual stage event offered 180-degree live streaming, drawing thousands to immerse themselves in the concert, amplifying brand visibility. These campaigns show how virtual reality creates emotional connections, making ads more memorable and impactful.
Hosting virtual events
VR enables agencies to host global product launches or events in virtual spaces, overcoming physical limitations. For instance, in 2025, Unity partnered with Insomniac Events to create a virtual music festival, allowing global audiences to attend immersive concerts via VR headsets, increasing ticket sales and brand reach. Such initiatives showcase how virtual reality in design can expand engagement, offering clients innovative ways to connect with audiences.
Enhancing VR with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is amplifying VR’s potential in design and advertising. AI-driven algorithms create realistic avatars, enhance 3D rendering, and personalize user experiences, making VR environments more immersive. For example, AI-powered tools like NVIDIA’s collaboration with cloud services enable high-quality VR streaming, allowing designers to showcase complex VR projects seamlessly. By integrating AI, creative agencies can deliver more dynamic and tailored VR content, boosting client satisfaction and engagement.
Challenges to overcome
Cost and accessibility
Developing high-quality VR content requires significant investment. VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3S or Quest 3, priced around $299 to $500, are more affordable than the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro, but still limit audience reach. Creating VR experiences also demands powerful hardware and skilled developers, which can strain budgets, especially for smaller agencies.
Cybersickness concerns
Prolonged VR use can cause cybersickness, with symptoms like nausea and dizziness due to sensory mismatches. This can deter users and requires careful design to minimize discomfort. Advancements in 2025, such as improved tracking and higher refresh rates, are helping, but agencies must prioritize user-friendly content.
Technical expertise
Building VR experiences demands expertise in 3D modeling and VR development, which may not be readily available in all teams. While tools like InstaVR simplify content creation, mastering platforms like Unity or Unreal Engine requires training, posing a learning curve for creative teams.
Trending VR tools for 2025
To harness virtual reality in design, creative professionals can leverage these trending tools:
- Unity and Unreal Engine: These leading game engines power high-quality VR experiences, ideal for both design visualization and advertising campaigns. They offer robust features but require technical know-how.
- Gravity Sketch: Perfect for 3D modeling in VR, this tool lets designers create and refine prototypes in a virtual space, boosting creativity and efficiency.
- ShapesXR: A go-to for UI/UX designers, ShapesXR enables prototyping and collaboration in VR, streamlining the design of immersive applications.
- InstaVR: Designed for rapid VR content creation, InstaVR is a game-changer for advertising agencies looking to produce campaigns without extensive coding.
- IrisVR: Ideal for architects and designers, IrisVR enables virtual walkthroughs of 3D models, facilitating client presentations and real-time design iterations.
These tools make VR more accessible, empowering creative teams to experiment and innovate.
How to get started with VR in design
Ready to integrate virtual reality into your workflow? Here are three practical steps:
- Start small: Experiment with user-friendly tools like InstaVR or Gravity Sketch to create simple VR prototypes or campaigns. This minimizes costs and builds confidence.
- Invest in training: Upskill your team in VR platforms like Unity or ShapesXR to ensure high-quality output. Online courses and tutorials can bridge the expertise gap.
- Focus on user experience: Design VR content with accessibility and comfort in mind to avoid cybersickness and broaden your audience.
By taking these steps, agencies can leverage VR in design to deliver standout projects that impress clients and audiences alike.
Presenting VR projects with Formlio
Pitching VR projects to clients can be challenging with traditional PDF proposals, which struggle to convey the immersive nature of virtual reality concepts. Formlio’s platform simplifies this process by enabling agencies to create interactive, web-based proposals that embed videos, VR concept demos, or portfolio showcases directly within the document. This allows clients to visualize VR projects seamlessly, without navigating external links, making proposals more engaging and effective. Whether presenting a VR campaign or a 3D design, Formlio helps communicate the vision easily, in a clear, engaging manner.
The future of VR in design
Virtual reality is set to revolutionize the creative industry, offering endless possibilities for immersive design and advertising. By adopting VR tools, agencies can push creative boundaries and deliver unforgettable experiences.