What does the future of specialty chemicals look like? Evonik's Corporate Foresight team looks ahead to the future – even though it doesn't have a crystal ball! Now, its findings are presented in a virtual reality app, which has won a Red Dot Design Award in the category “Brands & Communication Design.”

The team used scientific findings to develop five possible scenarios for the future of specialty chemicals. Evonik plans to use the results of these scenarios to initiate selective and timely innovations. What's more, long-term strategies can be measured against the scenarios to help drive them forward.

Virtual reality app brings the scenarios to life

What do the different scenarios really look like? What objects do they look at? What values are important to people? Evonik's Corporate Foresight unit joined up with the creative team of Bernd Hopfengärtner and NORMALS to develop a VR app called Molecular Futures. The app presents the five future scenarios in everyday settings – from the bathroom to the workplace.

“We wanted to create an app that gives uses an immersive experience of the scenarios in everyday settings. Instead of abstract descriptions, we have created a virtual world that brings the settings to life,” says Björn Theis, who leads the corporate foresight team.

For each scenario there is a room with everyday objects. The interactive spaces are also a platform for audiovisual short stories, presenting characters and careers. Radio news in the background places each scenario in a broader context. The stories and interactive experience focus on people. Users get to directly experience tomorrow’s world, encouraging them to think critically about the various scenarios.

"Molecular Futures" will be published in the app store in the coming weeks.