Humans have always dreamed of the future — of things beyond their reach. These dreams drive progress, innovation, and the development of new technologies. Once, people couldn’t imagine flying like birds. Today, even with the ability to reach outer space and launch satellites, we still look up at the sky and dream of intergalactic cruisers and galaxies far, far away. But how much of what sci-fi authors once imagined actually exists today? At the very least — virtual reality (VR).
Many people already know what VR is and how it works. Some blog readers may even own a VR headset. But here's another question that stirs the minds of creatives and others alike: “Can VR technology really be used in web design?”
Answer: Yes.
And we’ll tell you how — and even show it.
What is the Web in VR
Two-dimensional (2D) space can be transformed into 3D, making it interactive and tangible. Imagine being in a huge virtual library where instead of reading about Ancient Egypt, you walk through it. You pass by the pyramids and the Sphinx, walk over sand dunes, and move forward to discover ancient cities like Al-Qahira or Saïs — or maybe even Napata. You stroll through narrow streets and bustling markets, surrounded by mud-brick buildings. In the distance, you begin to see towering palm trees, pools, and gardens adorned with statues of pharaohs and gods. And all the while, a virtual guide narrates the history, culture, and economy of this civilization. Naturally, ambient sounds and atmospheric effects complete the immersive experience.
Impressed?
Check out the virtual test drive for the Volvo XC90 (video at the link). Explore its features, seating positions, and feel the speed. Just twenty years ago, the idea of watching the Olympics through a VR headset sounded like something from Star Trek’s holodeck. And yet, after introducing the tech in 2016, Samsung streamed the 2018 Winter Olympics in VR.
This is no longer science fiction — though it's not yet mainstream either.
The hardware for VR is still in its early stages: HD 360-degree cameras, high-performance GPUs, and specific smartphone models are required. These devices are still bulky, expensive, and not widely available to consumers. As production scales up, prices will drop, adoption will grow, and the technology will become more refined.
Web Design Experiments with VR
To make virtual reality accessible for the web, the JavaScript API known as WebVR was created. This library enables integration with devices like the Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard. It's built into Nightly Firefox, Chromium, and Samsung’s browser. You can even emulate VR using a Chrome extension. However, to truly experience VR, a proper headset is required — not just cinema-style 3D glasses. Those may be used for other web design effects, but that’s a topic for another day.
Got your devices ready? Head over to MozVR and explore one of the 11 featured projects. If you’re still with us, check the headset and smartphone setup documentation on the Mozilla Developer Network. You can also create your own project using Vizor.io. For HTC Vive owners, start with the A-Painter project for your first steps in web VR design.
Unlike entertainment platforms, VR in web design is part of a complex ecosystem. What we mostly see are standalone interactive websites with 3D elements, animations, and depth. Genuine, immersive VR remains rare.
Features of Current Web Design with VR
On a typical screen, the user’s focus is limited to about 30–40 cm of display width. This is enough for comfortable concentration — the rest of the screen goes unused.
In virtual reality, there’s no single “canvas,” no up or down. Turn your head and you see more content. Look down, and new elements appear. There are no borders confining your view or interaction. That kind of interface belongs to augmented reality — think of the famous Pokémon Go. Virtual reality, on the other hand, immerses you in an entirely new environment — it surrounds you.
That’s why many designers, when experimenting with VR, create 360-degree web design experiences that simulate VR in a 2D environment. There’s no need to turn your head — you scroll using the mouse, and the depth is simulated.
The project Rainforest looks like a large interactive map you can explore. Whether you’re using a headset or just a mouse, press and hold the left button, explore, and enjoy the jungle.
The car dealership BMW offers a virtual tour. It’s nearly impossible to convey the beauty and emotion of the project with just screenshots. Walk through the showroom without leaving your home!
The virtual tour of Turkey — through cities, castles, ruins, caves, mountains, and streets — lets you experience VR without a headset. Movement, loading, and interactivity are recreated in a 2D space. A stunning and beautiful project. Just rotate the map around you (not yourself), select the hotspots (circles), click, and you’ll be transported to new locations.
Naturally, Google also embraced this futuristic technology and offers an immersive experience of the ancient city of Petra in VR or in 2D.
A virtual tour of the JUB campus and student interaction is a great example of augmented reality.
On the Awwwards website, you’ll find many more innovative examples of VR and interactive web design. There are also 360° panoramic projects. Some of them offer direct VR headset support, while others give visitors the option to choose between a VR or 2D interactive version.
As for the content of these projects, it's still quite niche today. VR or 360° is mainly used in cultural projects (museums, travel, city and country exploration), sports (such as Samsung’s Olympic project), product demonstrations like Siemens, and entertainment.
VR web design isn't applicable to every type of content — not due to complexity, but because it’s not always necessary. For example, if a designer is building an online grocery store, what’s the point in rotating your head to find a loaf of bread or a pair of shoes? Still, there are creative ideas — though many remain conceptual. But for tourism websites or airlines, VR, interactivity, and 360° views can be highly engaging features.
The Necessity of VR in Web Design
Web developers increasingly rely on standardization, even in VR — users expect familiar interfaces. For example, Samsung Gear VR’s browser uses a standard web interface: head turns, tilts, and voice commands work like keyboard and mouse actions. That’s currently enough to introduce people to VR. It also makes it easier to recreate a 360° web design in 2D.
But this is still far from letting users feel the true potential of VR — the kind described in sci-fi books or shown in futuristic films.
“Should a web designer learn WebVR?” — you might ask. Absolutely. In the near future, both developers and designers will apply VR to websites: for interactive maps, learning tools (like FAQs and tutorials), and visualizations. These elements are commonly found on websites, and VR makes them stand out in a competitive digital landscape.
In short, aspects of VR can already be used in regular web projects. And the examples above prove it. Full 360° VR isn’t required — interactivity and panoramic effects are often enough.
From a technical standpoint, nearly all these projects rely on A-Frame, an open-source WebVR framework built for HTML. A-Frame is based on three.js, which makes it easy to integrate with existing web development tools. The A-Frame website provides code examples and visual demos.
The Future of VR and Web Design
It’s clear that web design standards will continue merging with VR technologies. Some elements will disappear — even if news websites adopt VR formats, many users will still prefer the comfort of 2D layouts. As the industry chases new VR interface formats, traditional choices like flat vs. 3D buttons or drop shadows will become secondary. VR works with spatial depth and creates immersive environments filled with information, photos, and video. Whether a button has a shadow or not doesn’t matter — clarity and beauty do.
In the next decade, companies will keep investing in VR, and more devices will become available. If you want to be at the forefront of web design, ask yourself: What VR devices are hitting the market? What industries demand VR design most? What tools can you use to not just create, but also test and explore the field?
Conclusion
The good news is — the principles of good web design have stood the test of time. Many design theories that define modern interfaces were formed centuries ago. Regardless of the tools or technology, those core principles remain. They’re what allow a site to be just as engaging, informative, and functional in VR goggles as in a 2D (360°) format.
And let’s face it — people are increasingly ready to dive into VR, embrace interactivity, and live the futuristic dreams we’ve long imagined.