The role of virtual reality in the predisposition to design foreshadowing: a testing proposal

Visual design thinking defines a semantic of shapes, thoughts and mental images that helps designers envision complex problems. Innovative learner-centred methods and new technologies could lessen the steep learning curve for novice designers. Virtual Reality (VR) and immersive technologies could aid and motivate the definition of a cognitive framework, supported by interactive learning material. A testing proposal is advanced to investigate the possible usage of VR tools with adequate software to help new designers develop their mental foreshadowing skills. Students from the Bachelor course in Architecture will follow a three-step experiment. In the first phase, students are asked about their knowledge in VR tools and visual design theory. In the second phase, students will be divided in two group and will be asked to address a complex, ambiguous, design prompt with a fixed set of items at disposal. They will be alternating from a traditional approach to an immersive one. Finally, the learning aptitude, cognitive accessibility and validity will be verified with a questionnaire. The results will be based on a blind peer-review, where the students will evaluate each other’s designs. The study aims to evaluate the differences between the traditional and immersive approach, looking for corresponding trends from the candidate backgrounds to define how could VR tools be of use in this regard and what type of student could benefit the most from them.