Virtual Reality entered the marketplace for consumers in 2013 with the launch of the Oculus Rift Development Kit. 2016 brought consumers a variety of new VR devices, including the HTC Vive and Sony’s PlayStation VR. Based on the demand the VR market has been seeing over the years, it is expected to grow by the billions by 2020, reaching an estimated $30 billion in worth. When combined with the Augmented Reality market, revenue between the two could reach $150 billion. Today, many industries are beginning to implement Virtual Reality into businesses. In the healthcare field, a VR experience called “Snow World” to help burn victims during their wound care and rehabilitation process. In journalism, news and media companies are adding 360 videos to their online publications to add to their stories. And in entertainment, movies including Star Wars, Jurassic World, and more have released VR experiences to go along with the movie. Adding this component generates more interest, excitement, and a strong brand association.
With the VR industry continuing to expand, new career opportunities are expected to open up to fulfill the demand. Potential positions for job-seekers may include UX/UI Designers, Unity Developers, 3-D Modelers, Animators, Project Managers, and Videographers. For those who are interested in pursuing a career in the industry, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest VR trends—follow social media conversations, attend webinars and conferences, and participate in online communities. In an industry that expects to sell 500 million VR headsets in less than 10 years, the Virtual Reality industry appears to have a very promising future ahead of it.
Below is the full infographic by Context:
