Comparing immersion in collaborative ideation through design conversations, workload and experience

Abstract

This paper presents a case study comparing the HIS (Hybrid Ideation Space), a system allowing designers to be physically immersed in their sketches and physical models, and Vyew™, a whiteboard software, in local and remote design collaboration; aiming to see if immersion benefits collaborative ideation. Three methodological tools were used: Design Conversations (Collaborative Ideation Loop "CI-Loop", Collaborative Conversations "CC" and Collaborative Moving "CM"), Workload using NASA TLX and Design Flow for the designers' experience. Local collaboration results appear to have benefited from immersion while remote results were mitigated by participant issues. However, looking deeper into users' experience explains the impactof immersion.