Harmonizing VR spaces : application of feng shui in VR level design
Demir, Emine (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420052
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420052
Tiivistelmä
The rapid expansion of virtual reality (VR) has created increased demand for effective design practices for digital environments. This study examined the applicability of feng shui, an ancient Chinese system of spatial harmony, as framework for VR level design.
The objective of the thesis was to explore how feng shui principles could be adapted for use in virtual spaces, and to assess their potential for enhancing user experience. The study aimed to develop design guidelines and demonstrate their practical application through a proposed redesign of an existing VR game level.
Qualitative methods were used to analyze spatial design principles in both feng shui and VR game level design. The concepts were then combined and adapted to create guidelines, that were subsequently applied in a case study involving static defense VR first-person shooter game level. The research focused on spatial layout, wuxing, and object placement.
The study showed that feng shui principles, while generally aligning with conventional VR level design practices, could offer a valuable new perspective. While traditional feng shui emphasized harmony, certain imbalances were interpreted as beneficial to gameplay. The findings suggested that feng shui could help in the design of more engaging and atmospherically coherent virtual spaces when used with contextual adaptation.
The objective of the thesis was to explore how feng shui principles could be adapted for use in virtual spaces, and to assess their potential for enhancing user experience. The study aimed to develop design guidelines and demonstrate their practical application through a proposed redesign of an existing VR game level.
Qualitative methods were used to analyze spatial design principles in both feng shui and VR game level design. The concepts were then combined and adapted to create guidelines, that were subsequently applied in a case study involving static defense VR first-person shooter game level. The research focused on spatial layout, wuxing, and object placement.
The study showed that feng shui principles, while generally aligning with conventional VR level design practices, could offer a valuable new perspective. While traditional feng shui emphasized harmony, certain imbalances were interpreted as beneficial to gameplay. The findings suggested that feng shui could help in the design of more engaging and atmospherically coherent virtual spaces when used with contextual adaptation.