A new universe in space design: Metaverse

With the digital age, the concept of space has moved beyond the real environment. The creation of digitally supported environments such as virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality requires a different approach to the concept of space. The concept of metaverse is based on technologies that enable human communication and social interaction with the virtual world and digital tools. The interaction spaces created within this concept carry an aesthetic concern as they are produced outside of physical reality. Spaces are used for different needs and purposes within the Metaverse concept; they are shaped according to these needs and purposes. With changing needs and purposes, the concept of space also changes the concept of designs. Metaverse creates a low-cost, aesthetic and free design space for designers. The creation of design without depending on certain patterns and obligations allows designers to learn by experimentation, to think freely and to push their imagination. This free environment becomes a playground for design and contributes to designers' learning, teaching and experimenting. In this direction; the study aims to examine how and with what understanding the existing designs in the Metaverse universes are being implemented, in which direction the approach to design is evolving in these universes, and in which direction the designer identity existing in the real environment will be shaped in virtual spaces in the future. In this context, the concepts of virtual and real environments are examined and the design approach in Metaverse environments is discussed. As a result, designers' approach to space and design criteria in the Metaverse universe have been examined, and it has been determined that in order to stay up to date in a changing world, it is required to have an interdisciplinary understanding and Metaverse design technologies should be adopted by designers.