Information Design for XR Immersive Environments: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Cross Reality (XR) immersive environments offer challenges and opportunities in designing for cognitive aspects (e.g. learning, memory, attention, etc.) of information design and interactions. Information design is a multidisciplinary endeavor involving data science, communication science, cognitive science, media, and technology. In the present paper the holodeck metaphor is extended to illustrate how information design practices and some of the qualities of this imaginary computationally augmented environment (a.k.a. the holodeck) may be achieved in XR environments to support information-rich storytelling and real life, face-to-face, and virtual collaborative interactions. The Simulation Experience Design Framework & Method is introduced to organize challenges and opportunities in the design of information for XR. The notion of carefully blending both real and virtual spaces to achieve total immersion is discussed as the reader moves through the elements of the cyclical framework. A solution space leveraging cognitive science, information design, and transmedia learning highlights key challenges facing contemporary XR designers. Challenges include but are not limited to interleaving information, technology, and media into the human storytelling process, and supporting narratives in a way that is memorable, robust, and extendable.