Exploring the Impact of Virtual Environments on the Creativity of Remote Designers During Brainstorming

Abstract: The growing adoption of virtual reality (VR) technologies has sparked interest in exploring their impact on creativity and remote collaboration within design processes. This study investigates the influence of different virtual environments on creative outputs and collaborative dynamics among designers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, quantitative analysis examines fluency and originality in idea generation, while qualitative analysis delves into participants’ experiences and perceptions during VR-based brainstorming sessions. The results from the quantitative analysis, while not statistically significant, indicate higher mean values for fluency and originality in the forest environment compared to an office environment, aligning with prior research. The qualitative analysis reveals a thematic pattern of "Immersion and Creativity," suggesting that the forest environment’s calming and immersive nature enhances participants’ focus, engagement, and creativity. Notably, participants engage in playful interactions beyond conventional brainstorming, further emphasizing VR’s potential to augment collaborative processes. Challenges associated with technical aspects and discomfort from prolonged headset use are acknowledged. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of how VR environments may positively impact creativity and remote collaboration in design contexts, while highlighting areas for improvement and further exploration.