Everyone has heard about it, but very few have actually seen it. Oculus is the leading brand who is trying to make VR a reality, but it's still beyond the reach of most people due to underdevelopment, cost, and lack of wide demographic support. On the other hand, Google introduced another approach with Google Cardboard, where it takes advantage of smartphones' computing power. However, cardboard is not quite portable, and isn't exactly durable. 

Figment solves this problem by keeping the best aspects of Cardboard (mobility and accessibility), while integrating it seamlessly with your smartphone by doubling as a high quality protective case. Figment grounds the mystery of VR and allows everyone to easily share the experience, just like sharing any other digital content like photos and videos.

 

 

 

 

 

The fundamental nature of a phone case is that it should conform to the phone itself. The main challenge was finding a design language that contains a unique personality, and at the same time, quiet conformity. Figment hides the VR viewer at the back of the case using a specially developed spring mechanism. In this state, the case remains quiet. When the VR viewer is released, it reveals its true form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activating the VR viewer window is unique in every way. By sliding the accident-proof switch buttons on the back, the viewing window unfolds over to the front of the phone's display in a single sweeping motion through Figment's special spring mechanism. This experience itself can be compared to the effortless and satisfying experience of Dupont Lighters. To close, the user simply retracts the viewer and the push lock does the rest with a satisfying click. 

As a plus, Figment is designed to allow users to have full access to the smartphone display, unlike Google Cardboard. This opens up possibilities of new interactive VR content experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figment's design is tailored to the phone it protects. The curvature of the case is identical to the phone itself. This retains the tactile experience, along with its discrete profile. The color, material, and finish are all harmonious to the phone. Use of extremely durable and soft silicon and high grade anodized aluminum only amplify the premium feel from the phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realizing this unique mechasm wasn't easy. Satisfying the functional requirements both as a phone case, and a VR/AR viewing device needed careful experimentations with adaptations of dampened springs and push-lock mechanisms through constant prototyping. The requirements for an immersive experience are very specific, and therefore, we had to calibrate every part's position in the scale of less than a milimeter.