From Car Audio to VR: The Story Behind Studioform Creative

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From Car Audio to VR: The Story Behind Studioform Creative

Studioform has been making mods for Pimax (and other headsets) for as long as we can remember, including 5K, 8KX, Crystal, Crystal Light, Crystal Super, and now has released a face interface and straps for the Dream Air and Dream Air SE.

We sat down with Dave from Studioform, to get to know better the company behind these excellent comfort mods.

What made you start with Studioform? And was it always for VR headsets? Or why do you limit yourself to VR?

I started Studioform in 1998. My first job was working for a company making speaker boxes back when the car audio industry was booming. We used to kit out a lot of show cars for sound competitions, and I got good at improvising solutions to mount speakers, amplifiers, and other components.

My first ride was a big old GMC van. We instantly panelled up all the windows and fitted it out with a 29” TV and a gaming console.

I then moved on to formally start Studioform, which originally produced a range of fibreglass mouldings to help customers DIY-install speakers in car doors. The range was really popular with the community and local installation shops. The moulded pods would space the speakers to fit in almost any car door. From there, we developed relationships with companies like Panasonic to create customised display walls for their car audio range.

After that, we expanded into the general display and exhibition market—customising trade booths and merchandisers. Then came the advent of consumer VR. I was always personally interested in building the most immersive gaming experience and had my eye on the head-mounted display market. There was a company in the States called IO Display Systems that offered some of the first consumer models. I later got hooked on Nvidia 3D glasses.

Studioform VR really began when I started posting photos of my DIY mods of the HTC Vive & Samsung Odyssey. There was interest from people wanting to buy them, that’s where it all started.

How do you start with your designs? Is there always an area you start from, like how to attach it to the headset, or pressure points?

We usually start by testing the headset for balance and fit. Our range began with simple comfort straps and counterbalances, as that’s typically the main pain point in VR.

From there, we figure out the best way to produce a solution using the production methods available. Originally we were confined to sewing and fabrics. Over past 2 years we’ve dramatically increased our production capability with 3D printing and foam press, so we now have a lot more freedom to push designs further

How does your prototyping process look?

We start with the basic dimensions and then iterate until we achieve the perfect fit. Some of our 3D designs have gone through 50+ iterations

For fabric items, I usually start with paper templates and a sewing machine. In the early days, we went through a stack of consumer sewing machines

How have you seen VR headsets evolve (ergonomically) over the last decade?

Headsets are getting smaller, but at the end of the day, they’re still essentially oversized glasses that need support. Everyone has different pressure points, so users really need to customise their own ergonomics

Smaller headsets can also make it harder to achieve a good sweet spot, so getting the fit right is crucial.

How do you pick colours? Is there any colour you would personally want for cushions or pads but haven’t tried yet?

We’ve offered different colours in the past, like pink and blue, but there was little interest. We find that most VR enthusiasts prefer a darker AV/VR environment. Black and grey devices tend to look more serious and professional.

At the moment, we stick to black PU leather and grey fabric. That said, I’m always on the lookout for new materials, so there will definitely be some new options coming in the future 😊

How do you pick materials? Some may look good in photos, others may be more comfortable in actual use. Some suit winter, others summer—and there’s durability to consider too.

From my experience, VR enthusiasts tend to strongly prefer either PU leather or fabric. It’s almost a 50/50 split.

PU leather is easier to clean and offers better grip, while fabric is more comfortable for longer seated experiences like flight sims.

For people who prefer fabric but are concerned about sweat:
  • First, always use a fan or air conditioning.
  • Second, consider having a few replacement pads.
  • You can also carefully wash fabric pads in a bucket or basin - press them in water, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Did you learn anything from the years of development at Studioform that you can apply to other areas of your life?

Yes—probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is that time and focus are everything. As Doc Brown says in Back to the Future, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” That applies to everything in life.

 

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