Enhancing VR Immersion through Scent
Enhancing VR Immersion through Scent
Exploring how congruent and non-congruent smells influence user presence and emotion in virtual reality.
Exploring how congruent and non-congruent smells influence user presence and emotion in virtual reality.
My Role
My Role
UX Researcher & Designer
Led end-to-end research and design process
Designed and implemented a VR prototype
Conducted user testing and data analysis
Led end-to-end research and design process
Designed and implemented a VR prototype
Conducted user testing and data analysis
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Figma
Blender
Blender
SPSS
SPSS
Blender
SPSS
Excel
Frame VR
Meta Quest 2
Frame VR
Frame VR
Meta Quest 2
Meta Quest 2
SKILLS
SKILLS
Card sorting
Pilot testing
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Prototyping
Prototyping
Research
Research
Sensory Design
Sensory Design
Testing
Testing
Sensory Design
Statistical Analysis
Prototyping
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Prototyping
Prototyping
PANAS & PQ
Thematic analysis
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Prototyping
Prototyping
✏️ Brief
✏️ Brief
✏️ Brief
This academic UX research project investigates how smell influences user presence and emotional engagement in virtual reality. I designed and tested a multi-sensory VR forest using congruent (lavender), non-congruent (coffee), and no-smell conditions with 25 participants. The results offer actionable insights for immersive experience design.
This academic UX research project investigates how smell influences user presence and emotional engagement in virtual reality.
💬 Problem
💬 Problem
VR systems often overlook olfactory cues, focusing primarily on visual and auditory inputs. Yet, smell has a powerful influence on mood, memory, and immersion—especially in natural environments.
🎯 Goal
🎯 Goal
To understand how congruent vs. non-congruent scents affect presence and emotional response in VR, and to uncover design implications for multisensory immersive experiences.
🔁 Process Overview
🔁 Process Overview
01 Define
Selected forest as the environment for its stress-reducing qualities
Identified and defined congruent (lavender), non-congruent (coffee), and control (no smell) scent categories
01 Define
Selected forest as the environment for its stress-reducing qualities
Identified and defined congruent (lavender), non-congruent (coffee), and control (no smell) scent categories
02 Ideate
Generated activity ideas using AI (ChatGPT)
Created a mood board and storyboard
Conducted card sorting to determine forest elements for inclusion
02 Ideate
Generated activity ideas using AI (ChatGPT)
Created a mood board and storyboard
Conducted card sorting to determine forest elements for inclusion
03 Prototype
Developed environment in FrameVR
Integrated smell triggers based on user location
Created three scent conditions: congruent, non-congruent, and no scent
03 Prototype
Developed environment in FrameVR
Integrated smell triggers based on user location
Created three scent conditions: congruent, non-congruent, and no scent
04 Test
25 participants with varying VR experience
3-minute sessions per condition + questionnaires
Semi-structured interviews conducted post-experiment
04 Test
25 participants with varying VR experience
3-minute sessions per condition + questionnaires
Semi-structured interviews conducted post-experiment
❓Research Question
❓Research Question
❓Research Question
01 What is the effect of congruent and non-congruent smells on users' perceived presence in virtual reality environments?
01 What is the effect of congruent and non-congruent smells on users' perceived presence in virtual reality environments?
01 How do congruent vs. non-congruent scents affect presence in VR?
02 What is the effect of congruent and non-congruent smells on users' emotional reactions in virtual reality environments?
02 What is the effect of congruent and non-congruent smells on users' emotional reactions in virtual reality environments?
02 How do they influence emotional response?
03 What is the effect of level of experience with VR technology (novice versus experienced users) on the emotional reactions and perceived presence when exposed to congruent versus non-congruent smells?
03 What is the effect of level of experience with VR technology (novice versus experienced users) on the emotional reactions and perceived presence when exposed to congruent versus non-congruent smells?
03 How do responses differ between non-experienced and experienced users?
📊 Key Findings
📊 Key Findings
Quantitative (PANAS & PQ)
Presence scores: highest in congruent, followed by non-congruent, lowest in no scent
Positive emotions were strongest with lavender
No significant effect based on prior VR experience
Qualitative Insights
Congruent scents enhanced realism and emotional comfort
Non-congruent scents triggered confusion—but also curiosity
Scent intensity and contextual alignment were key to immersion
📊 High-fidelity prototype
📊 High-fidelity prototype
🌲 IMAGINE EXPLORING THE PROTOTYPE WITH VR HEADSET AND DIFFERENT SMELLS 👃🏼
🌲 IMAGINE EXPLORING THE PROTOTYPE WITH VR HEADSET AND DIFFERENT SMELLS 👃🏼
🌲 IMAGINE EXPLORING THE PROTOTYPE WITH VR HEADSET AND DIFFERENT SMELLS 👃🏼
🗣️ Quotes from participants
🗣️ Quotes from participants
Enjoyment and Comfort with congruent scents (lavender smells)
Enjoyment and Comfort with congruent scents (lavender smells)
Enjoyment and Comfort with congruent scents (lavender smells)
“The pleasant scent boosted my mood and made me more focused on finding flowers.” – P9
“The pleasant scent boosted my mood and made me more focused on finding flowers.” – P9
“The pleasant scent boosted my mood and made me more focused on finding flowers.” – P9
“I could smell flowers and essential oils. It felt soothing and calm, like I was really in the forest.” – P11
“I could smell flowers and essential oils. It felt soothing and calm, like I was really in the forest.” – P11
“I could smell flowers and essential oils. It felt soothing and calm, like I was really in the forest.” – P11
Confusion and Distraction with non-congruent scents (coffee smells)
Confusion and Distraction with non-congruent scents (coffee smells)
Confusion and Distraction with non-congruent scents (coffee smells)
“I smelled coffee but didn’t see anything related to coffee in the VR world, which confused me.” – P6
“I smelled coffee but didn’t see anything related to coffee in the VR world, which confused me.” – P6
“I smelled coffee but didn’t see anything related to coffee in the VR world, which confused me.” – P6
“The smell of coffee was strong and felt out of place, disrupting the immersive experience.” – P22
“The smell of coffee was strong and felt out of place, disrupting the immersive experience.” – P22
“The smell of coffee was strong and felt out of place, disrupting the immersive experience.” – P22
Different Reactions Between Novice and Experienced Users
Different Reactions Between Novice and Experienced Users
Different Reactions Between Novice and Experienced Users
“At first, I was curious about the world, but as I smelled something, my curiosity grew again.” – P5 (Novice)
“At first, I was curious about the world, but as I smelled something, my curiosity grew again.” – P5 (Novice)
“At first, I was curious about the world, but as I smelled something, my curiosity grew again.” – P5 (Novice)
“The excitement faded because I had explored the environment before. I expected to see different things.” – P12 (Experienced)
“The excitement faded because I had explored the environment before. I expected to see different things.” – P12 (Experienced)
“The excitement faded because I had explored the environment before. I expected to see different things.” – P12 (Experienced)
🚀 Key Outcomes
🚀 Key Outcomes
👤 User Value
👤 User Value
Enhanced Immersion: Integrating congruent scents, such as lavender, significantly increased users' sense of presence and emotional engagement in virtual environments.
Scent integration (e.g., lavender) significantly enhanced users’ sense of presence and emotional engagement in VR.
Emotional Resonance: Participants exposed to relevant scents reported higher positive emotions, indicating the effectiveness of olfactory cues in enhancing user experience.Designer
Incongruent scents negatively affected immersion, emphasizing the importance of scent congruency.
User Insights: The study highlighted the importance of scent congruency, as non-congruent scents like coffee caused mild confusion and reduced immersion.
🏢 Business Value
🏢 Business Value
Innovative Application: Demonstrated the potential of olfactory integration in VR to enhance user engagement, offering valuable insights for industries like healthcare, education, and entertainment.
Demonstrated the innovative potential of olfactory VR across industries like education, healthcare, and entertainment.
Therapeutic Potential: Findings suggest that scent-enhanced VR experiences could be optimized for therapeutic outcomes, particularly in mental health applications.
Offered market differentiation by enabling the creation of multi-sensory immersive products.
Market Differentiation: The research provides a foundation for developing unique multisensory VR products, giving businesses a competitive edge.
🌱 Personal Value
🌱 Personal Value
Research Proficiency: Led a comprehensive study from conception to analysis, strengthening skills in design research, usability testing, and statistical analysis.Wei-Hsin Chen | UX Designer
Led the full research process, strengthening skills in empirical design and statistical analysis.
Technical Skills: Gained hands-on experience with tools like Figma, Blender, SPSS, and VR platforms, enhancing technical proficiency.
Expanded technical abilities through tools like Figma, Blender, SPSS, and VR platforms.
Critical Thinking: Developed a deeper understanding of the interplay between sensory design and user experience, fostering a more holistic design approach.
Developed a holistic design mindset by exploring the intersection of sensory design and user experience.
💭 Reflection
💭 Reflection
💭 Reflection
This project deepened my understanding of multi-sensory UX design, highlighting how olfactory elements can enrich VR experiences across healthcare, education, and entertainment. It also emphasized the value of iterative testing, cross-sensory prototyping, and inclusive user research in emerging tech environments.
This project deepened my understanding of multi-sensory UX design, highlighting how olfactory elements can enrich VR experiences across healthcare, education, and entertainment.
Research: Explored and refined ideas, enhancing recommendations.
Critical Thinking: Peer discussions improved my problem-solving.
Decision-Making: Strengthened research-backed design choices by focusing on the "why."
Iteration: Refined ideas at each stage, becoming more adaptable.
Mentorship: Guidance challenged my approach and led to well-researched outcomes.
Research: Explored and refined ideas, enhancing recommendations.
Critical Thinking: Peer discussions improved my problem-solving.
Decision-Making: Strengthened research-backed design choices by focusing on the "why."
Iteration: Refined ideas at each stage, becoming more adaptable.
Mentorship: Guidance challenged my approach and led to well-researched outcomes.
Built in Framer
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Created by Wei Hsin 2024
Built in Framer
•
Created by Wei Hsin 2024
Built in Framer
•
Created by Wei Hsin 2024