CBRE

Overview

• Developed a VR onboarding experience for CBRE to enhance employee engagement.
• Utilized interactive 3D modeling to improve knowledge retention.
• Integrated gamified learning techniques to make training more effective and enjoyable.

Project Scope

• VR Development
• 3D Modeling
• Gamification Integration

The Challenge

In the competitive real estate industry, employee onboarding is crucial for equipping new hires with essential knowledge and skills. CBRE recognized the need for an innovative approach to make their onboarding process more effective and engaging. Traditional training methods often resulted in lower retention rates and disengagement among new employees. CBRE needed a solution that would not only inform but also captivate their new hires.

CBRE's goal was to create a compelling and interactive onboarding experience that could effectively convey complex information about the company's operations and services. The challenge was to develop a VR application that was both immersive and educational, ensuring that new employees would retain the information and be prepared for their roles. This required a meticulous design and development process to integrate various elements, such as 3D modeling, animations, and gamification, into a seamless VR experience.

Our Approach

Understanding the importance of creating an engaging and informative onboarding experience, we started with a thorough analysis of CBRE's requirements. Our goal was to design a VR application that not only provided detailed information but also kept the users entertained and engaged throughout the training process. Using Unity, we developed a VR experience that highlighted CBRE's services and operations through interactive 3D models and animations.

The application was designed to guide users through different aspects of CBRE's operations, using state machines and flow control to ensure a smooth navigation experience. We incorporated gamification logic to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective, enhancing knowledge retention among new employees. Our approach focused on creating an intuitive and immersive VR environment that provided a comprehensive overview of the company's services.

The solution was designed to be VR-optimized, ensuring a high-quality and immersive experience. We focused on creating a user-friendly interface that allowed new employees to navigate through the training seamlessly. The application included interactive hotspots and detailed explanations of CBRE's services, providing a comprehensive overview of the company's operations.

The Process

Creative Brief

We began the project with a comprehensive creative brief, where we collaborated closely with CBRE to understand their specific needs and objectives. This initial stage involved gathering detailed information about CBRE’s operations, services, and the key messages they wanted to convey through the onboarding experience. We discussed their expectations, target audience, and the desired outcomes of the VR training program. This step was crucial for setting a clear direction for the project and ensuring that all stakeholders were aligned.

Capabilities Discussions

Following the creative brief, we held in-depth capabilities discussions with our internal teams. These sessions were designed to align our technical expertise with the project requirements. Our AR developers, 3D modelers, web developers, and UX/UI designers participated in brainstorming sessions to explore various technologies and tools. We evaluated the potential of Unity for VR development, 3D modeling software for creating detailed representations, and gamification techniques to enhance engagement and retention. These discussions helped us identify the best approach to achieve the desired results.

Pen and Paper Sketching

Before moving into digital design, we engaged in pen and paper sketching to visualize the user interface and interactive elements. This stage allowed our team to quickly iterate on different design ideas and layout options. Sketching helped us conceptualize the flow of the user experience, ensuring that the navigation was intuitive and that interactive features were easily accessible. By exploring various design concepts on paper, we were able to refine our ideas and establish a solid foundation for the digital design phase.

3D Modeling

With a clear vision in place, our 3D modelers began creating detailed digital representations of CBRE's buildings and infrastructure. Using advanced 3D modeling software, they meticulously crafted each component, ensuring accuracy and realism. The models included various interactive elements, such as hotspots that users could interact with to learn more about specific features. This stage was crucial for creating the visual backbone of the VR experience, allowing users to explore and engage with realistic and detailed 3D environments.

Wireframe

Parallel to the 3D modeling process, our UX/UI designers developed wireframes for the VR application. These wireframes outlined the structure and layout of the virtual environment, focusing on the placement of interactive elements, navigation menus, and content sections. The wireframes served as a blueprint for the development phase, ensuring that all design components were aligned with the project's goals. This step was essential for planning the user flow and ensuring a seamless and intuitive navigation experience.

Combining Design and Development

Once the wireframes and 3D models were finalized, our design and development teams collaborated to integrate the visual elements with the VR application's functionality. This phase involved converting the wireframes into VR-optimized designs and incorporating the 3D models using Unity. The teams worked closely to ensure a seamless transition from design to development, maintaining consistency and quality throughout the process. By combining design and development efforts, we were able to create a cohesive and immersive VR experience.

Developing the VR Experience

The final step was to develop the VR training application, leveraging Unity to create an interactive and immersive environment. Our developers focused on integrating state machines and flow control to ensure smooth navigation and user interaction. They incorporated gamification elements, such as quizzes and interactive tasks, to make the learning process more engaging and effective. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure compatibility across various VR devices and to optimize performance. This stage was critical for bringing the entire experience to life, providing new employees with a captivating and educational onboarding journey.

Our Solution

We created a VR training experience that included:

• 3D Modeling: Detailed 3D models showcasing the building lifecycle, allowing users to visualize and understand the various stages of building development and management.
• Animations: Engaging animations for smooth transitions between different sections of the training, making the experience more dynamic and visually appealing.
• Gamification: Gamified elements to improve learning retention, including quizzes and interactive tasks that reinforced key concepts and information.

The solution was designed to be VR-optimized, ensuring a high-quality and immersive experience. We focused on creating a user-friendly interface that allowed new employees to navigate through the training seamlessly. The application included interactive hotspots and detailed explanations of CBRE's services, providing a comprehensive overview of the company's operations.

Implementing the solution involved several key steps:

• Designing and Developing High-Quality 3D Models: Our 3D modelers created detailed representations of buildings and infrastructure, showcasing various stages of the building lifecycle.
• Integrating Unity for VR Development: Using Unity, our developers created an interactive and immersive VR environment, incorporating state machines and flow control for smooth navigation.
• Developing Gamification Logic: Our team incorporated gamified elements to make the training experience more engaging and effective, including interactive tasks and quizzes to reinforce learning

Project Results

The VR training experience for CBRE exceeded expectations, significantly enhancing knowledge retention and employee engagement. The interactive and immersive nature of the VR application provided a compelling onboarding experience, preparing new employees for their roles effectively. The project demonstrated the potential of VR technology in transforming traditional training methods.

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