Acceptability of Immersive Sketching and Prototyping Tool: VR-Sketcher Case Study

Innovation projects benefit from inclusive stakeholder participation, but the complexity of traditional tools can hinder non-expert involvement, particularly in design projects. Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a transformative solution, offering an immersive 3D environment for ideation. However, these tools are mainly used by “experts” with design or engineering experience, accompanied by training in the basic functionality of VR sketching tools. This study explores the acceptability of a simplified VR design tool for non-experts, focusing on interactions and menu use. With 11 participants, the experiment utilizes the System Usability Scale and reveals positive evaluations. It highlights the potential of VR in participatory design processes, which can be applied to user-centered design processes and living lab approaches. However, there are a few areas for improvement to make the tool even more accessible and acceptable.