Improving interaction with virtual environments

Virtual environments (VEs) provide a computer-based interface representing a real-life or abstract space, using 3D graphics and interaction techniques. VEs are a novel interface style that offers new possibilities and challenges to human-computer interface design. However, studies of the design of VEs (Kaur et al., 1996) show that designers lack a coherent approach to design, especially interaction design. Designers appear to be preoccupied with difficult technical issues and think little about supporting user interaction. However, major interaction problems have been found with current VEs, such as disorientation, perceptual misjudgements and difficulty finding and understanding available interactions (McGovern, 1993; Coven, 1997). These problems have been known to result in user frustration and a low usability and acceptability for the VE (Kaur et al., 1996; Miller, 1994). Guidance is needed on interaction design for VEs to avoid such usability problems. Towards this aim, usability requirements for VEs were proposed using theoretical research into user interaction behaviour. A controlled study was carried out to evaluate the usability requirements, by comparing interaction success with and without their implementation. Significant improvements in interaction were found.