The Impact of Different Virtual Work Environments on Flow, Performance, User Emotions, and Preferences

TL;DR

This study examines how different virtual work environments affect user flow, performance, emotions, and preferences, revealing that environment design influences subjective experiences more than objective performance.

Contribution

It introduces three distinct VR work environments and analyzes their impact on user experience, emphasizing the importance of environment design for well-being and productivity.

Findings

Participants felt less distracted in the Dark and Empty Rooms.

The Empty Room promoted the highest relaxation levels.

Environment aesthetics influenced user perceptions and preferences.

Abstract

This research explores how different virtual work environments, differing in the type and amount of elements they include, impact users' flow, performance, emotional state, and preferences. Pre-study interviews were conducted to inform the design of three VR work environments: the Dark Room, the Empty Room, and the Furnished Room. Fifteen participants took part in a user study where they engaged in a logic-based task simulating deep work while experiencing each environment. The findings suggest that while objective performance measures did not differ significantly, subjective experiences and perceptions varied across the environments. Participants reported feeling less distracted and more focused in the Dark Room and the Empty Room compared to the Furnished Room. The Empty Room was associated with the highest levels of relaxation and calmness, while the Furnished Room was perceived as visually appealing yet more distracting. These findings highlight the variability of user preferences and emphasise the importance of considering user comfort and well-being in the design of virtual work environments. The study contributes to the better understanding of virtual workspaces and provides insights for designing environments that promote flow, productivity, and user well-being.