Fortunately, designers are trained to understand lighting. Thus they can work with the limited capabilities of VR software to create the best simulations of lighting effects possible without relying on complex computer calculations. Simple lighting models, such as distant, directional or ambient lighting, can be used to complement the simulations. To this day, it remains quite challenging, expansive and time consuming to design virtual reality worlds. Head mounted displays are still primitive.
Most virtual worlds look cartoonish.
At the core of this discussion lies the fact that VR is still limited and that designers must be able to negotiate with these limitations. However, I am convinced that as designers, we have an advantage when it comes to creating believable VR worlds. We are trained to know how to design visually correct spaces. We know where there should be lights and shadows, what colors are most appropriate, and what size and scales of textures are correct. Indeed, VR opens an entirely new domain for designers to exercise their skills.