Evaluations of Design and User Experience in Virtual Reality: A Systematized Bibliographic Review

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) technology provides the sensation of immersion in virtual digital spaces, through interactions that occur in different dimensions of perceptions. Considering the lack of research involving VR in evaluations of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Emotional Design, and User Experience, the present study aimed to investigate the state-of-the-art in this subject. For this, a systematic literature review was carried out. The question to be answered is: How do users change behavior in visual interaction with different artifacts in real and virtual environments and how that influences the perception (emotional, semantic, and usability) of individuals? Structured analyzes were applied to scientific articles that address the experience of healthy adult participants and their interaction relationship with environments and artifacts immersed in VR. After screening and in-depth reading steps, 27 articles were selected for meta-analysis discussions. The results point to the existence of a scientific gap since the works found and analyzed only partially answered the research question, which, because of this, may indicate an open field for studies involving VR This technology can be a viable tool with potential of assisting and complementing the methodological processes already consolidated in the Design and Human Factors areas.