Abstract
This interpretive study investigates the multidimensional construction of “presence” in virtual environment design, examining the complex interplay between aesthetic elements, spatial compositions, and interactive mechanisms that collectively foster immersive experiences and reshape notions of selfhood. Moving beyond conventional presence theories that prioritize technological fidelity, we propose a phenomenological framework that centers on the aesthetic dimensions of virtual embodiment—how sensory design patterns trigger affective responses and cultivate distinctive forms of spatial consciousness. Through cross-cultural comparative analysis, we explore how differing cultural epistemologies of space, body, and presence manifest in virtual environment design practices. This approach reveals how Western-centric design paradigms—often emphasizing individual agency and linear spatial narratives—diverge from Eastern design philosophies that may privilege relational presence, ambient awareness, and cyclical spatial arrangements. The research introduces the concept of “aesthetic resonance”—the dynamic alignment between design elements and users’ embodied knowledge—as a critical factor in presence formation. This framework reorients virtual environment design discourse away from purely technological considerations toward a more nuanced understanding of how aesthetic decisions activate cultural memories, challenge spatial expectations, and mediate new forms of digital embodiment. This study contributes to emerging conversations at the intersection of digital aesthetics, phenomenology, and cross-cultural design theory. By reconceptualizing presence as an aesthetic relationship rather than a technological achievement, we offer design practitioners and theorists new conceptual tools for creating more inclusive, culturally resonant virtual experiences.
Presenters
Chengcheng YinPhD Candidate, School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Virtual presence, Digital aesthetics, Cross-cultural design, Embodied cognition, Phenomenology, Spatial
