An exploration of immersive virtual reality as an empathic-modelling tool

Due to greater population diversity, today’s designers must stretch their ‘Empathic Horizon’ [2] to reach beyond their own experiences. Empathic modelling, in the form of wearable simulations of impairments, is an established method for extending designers’ empathy. However, such techniques must be translated into the digital realm to facilitate future designers in designing for diversity. This study of student designers, described in this short paper, aimed to a) investigate the four phases in the process of empathy in design practice and b) develop an insight into social VR in this learning context. Predominately using VR headsets, 13 students navigated and interacted in a challenging urban environment as either a wheelchair user or a visually impaired person. Students completed the Empathy in Design Scale [5] and a contextual task (to assess learning transfer) pre/post the VR activity. Moreover, they were observed throughout the session and a group interview was conducted. The Empathy in Design Scale post-immersion ratings exhibited statistically significant improvements in the students’ empathy. The contextual task demonstrated learning benefits in both the breadth and depth of relevant insights gained. The group reflection offered some insight into the behaviour and ratings, with students commenting on the realism of the immersion and the value of direct experience. The video analysis demonstrated students engaged in a realistic fashion when embodied in wheelchairs/with visual impairments. Recommendations are given regarding how best to implement VR in teaching practice to enhance empathy of design students towards those with different world perspectives.