Görmek, Karar Vermek, Tasarlamak: Sanal Ürün Geliştirme Üzerine Otoetnografik Yansımalar

Öz

Epic Games tarafından geliştirilen gerçek zamanlı görselleştirme platformu olan Unreal Motoru, oyunların ötesine geçerek mimarlık, otomotiv tasarımı ve film endüstrisi gibi alanlarda kullanılmaktadır. Yüksek kaliteli görselleştirmeler üretme, gerçek dünya etkileşimlerini simüle etme ve sanal prototiplemeyi destekleme yeteneği sayesinde, endüstriyel tasarımcılar için de değerli bir araç olma potansiyeline sahiptir. Bu çalışma, uygulamalı ve özdüşünümsel bir yaklaşım üzerinden ürün tasarımındaki kullanımını incelemektedir. Yazar elde taşınan elektronik oyun cihazlarının tasarımında geleneksel yöntemleri (eskiz, CAD modelleme, fiziksel maketler) Unreal Motoru tabanlı iş akışlarıyla karşılaştıran tasarım denemeleri gerçekleştirmiştir. Süreçte kaydedilen düşünsel notlar, iş akışı verimliliği, görselleştirme kalitesi, maliyet düşüşü ve öğrenme deneyimini belgelemiştir. Bulgular, Unreal Motorunun iterasyon hızını belirgin şekilde artırdığını, son derece gerçekçi görselleştirmeler sunduğunu, fiziksel prototip ihtiyacını azaltarak malzeme maliyetlerini düşürdüğünü ve tasarım karar alma süreçlerini geliştirdiğini göstermektedir. Çalışma, Unreal Motorunun iş akışlarını hızlandırarak, sürdürülebilirliği destekleyerek ve dijital prototipleme konusunda yeni yetkinlikler kazandırarak endüstriyel tasarım pratiğini dönüştürebileceğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Unreal Motoru
• Endüstriyel Tasarım
• Uygulamalı Araştırma
• Sanal Prototipleme
• Gerçek Zamanlı Görselleştirme
• Otoetnografi

Seeing, Deciding, Designing: Autoethnographic Reflections on Virtual Product Development

Öz

Unreal Engine, a real-time rendering platform developed by Epic Games, has expanded beyond gaming and is used in architecture, automotive design, and the movie industry. Due to its ability to generate high-fidelity visualizations, simulate real-world interactions, and support virtual prototyping, it also has the potential to be a valuable tool for industrial designers. This study investigates its application in product design through a self-reflective practice-based approach. As the sole participant, the author conducted iterative design experiments comparing conventional methods (sketching, CAD modeling, physical mock-ups) with Unreal Engine–based workflows in the design of handheld electronic gaming devices. The author’s reflections documented workflow efficiency, visualization quality, cost reduction, and learning experience. Findings suggest that Unreal Engine significantly improves iteration speed, offers highly realistic visualizations, reduces material costs by limiting the need for physical prototypes, and enhances design decision-making. The study demonstrates that Unreal Engine can transform industrial design practice by streamlining workflows, promoting sustainability, and fostering new competencies in digital prototyping.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Unreal Engine
• Industrial Design
• Practice-Based Research
• Virtual Prototyping
• Real-Time Visualization
• Autoethnography

Kaynakça

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