In short, Google Cardboard is an affordable piece of Virtual Reality (VR) headgear that welcomes its users to simple yet eye-opening VR experiences. Following just a few easy steps, anyone with a smartphone (and a few free VR apps, of course) can now explore the VR content shared by creators worldwide. As the name suggests, this headgear can be built from low-cost materials that are relatively easy to find, so if you are up to the challenge, you can even make one yourself!

It may not be as high quality or immersive as the more expensive VR set ups (like the HTC Vive that you can use at UBC’s Emerging Media Lab) but it is fun to use and still brings quite a ‘wow’ factor to the table, especially considering its price.

Note: All of the apps linked below are FREE at the time of this resource posting.

Google Cardboard Glasses

Order Online

Google Cardboard
by Virtual Studio
on Sketchfab

Make Your Own

Pro tip: This video demonstration will guide you through the process quite quickly. For a brief overview of what is involved in making the glasses, see the instructions below.

What You’ll Need

Pro tip:

45mm biconvex lenses: available for purchase online. Search Amazon, eBay or other sources. They are about 70cents each lens but you can sometimes also find them in bulk. We’ve never tested the theory that you can even make your own lenses but there are instructions available online. See below for video how to.

Ring Magnet or elastic and velcro: You don’t really need the ring magnet or elastic, they are nice additions though. The magnet is used as a button because you cannot click the screen while you have the glasses on. The velcro can also be substituted with regular tape. Magnets are about 0.75in (19mm) diameter and 0.12in (3mm) thickness, and can be bought on Amazon or at Home Depot.

Building Your Glasses

Step 1: Download and print the Google Cardboard Template.
Step 2: Cut out your template and stick your outlined pieces together placing sections with numbers in white circles on top of those with matching numbers in black circles.
Step 3: Trace your pieces onto your cardboard (cereal box works well).
Step 4: Cut out your cardboard outlines.
Step 5: Fold your cardboard pieces along the red lines indicated on the template.
Step 6: Put your cardboard pieces together as shown in the video demonstration.

6 Amazing Virtual Reality Apps

Within VR

Extraordinary stories in virtual reality.

Formerly known as Vrse, WITHIN showcases the best VR video has to offer. The content on display in this app spans a variety of genres and is collected from a number of reputable VR sources. It features documentary and news content from the likes of Vice, the New York Times, and the Huffington Post, comedy and short films from creators and animators like Saturaday Night Live, and music videos from artists like U2.

inVR

The easiest way to create and share VR experiences.

inVR is a “platform for sharing VR experiences”. Users can create content using any 3D modelling software and uploading it to the inVR cloud for other to experience. Whether you are are a 3D artist or animator, or just an avid VR explorer this is a must-try.

NYT VR

An immersive virtual-reality experience.

Journalism has come to VR! NYT VR offers an immersive and thrilling experience as award winning journalists capture their experinces in 360 video for the world to see. Be a Syrian refugee, an earthquake survivor or rescue worker in Nepal, or watch the burning of ivory in protest of elephant poaching in Kenya. Videos are posted on a monthly basis.

Discovery VR

A new way to see your world.

View behnid-the-scenes footage from Discovery shows among other immersive video experiences as videographers show you all our planet has to offer. From the depths of the ship wrecked oceans to survival in the rainforest this app has action and adventure to share.

RYOT

Become the story.

The Huffington post brings you RYOT, a step into a new age of reporting. Like NTY VR, RYOT journalists and videographers capture their experiences at imporant events in some of the worlds most interesting places.

Shakespeare’s Globe 360

Step inside the world of the Globe Theatre.

Explore Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in VR. Take a look around and interact with the virutal environment to learn more about the theatre and acting in Shakespearean times.

Google Cardboard – DIY Guide and some VR Apps