The impact of virtual reality in design education
evidence, gaps, and opportunities from a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5935/cadernospos.v26n1p285-306Keywords:
Virtual reality, Design education, Product design, Immersive technologies, Adult teaching and learningAbstract
This article analyzes the impact of virtual reality (VR) in product design education through a systematic literature review (SLR). Structured by the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework, the research involved systematic searches across the Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases. Results indicate a maturing research field, predominated by experimental studies comparing VR with traditional methods like hand sketching and CAD modeling. Evidence consistently shows a positive impact on student engagement and design competencies, particularly in spatial perception and conceptual design quality. Key measured variables include “usability and satisfaction”, “engagement and attitudes” and “performance and project quality”. This investigation concludes that VR is a viable and effective pedagogical intervention. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified: a strong geographical concentration of studies in Asia and Europe, with very limited research from the South American context, and a lack of investigation into long-term curricular integration beyond isolated tasks. Therefore, this study highlights the need for research contextualized to the Brazilian reality to support the creation of innovative pedagogical frameworks that effectively integrate VR tools into design curricula.
Downloads
References
BANERJEE, S.; CHOWDHURY, A.; YEIN, N. User experience evaluation of a virtual reality tool used for 3D modelling in industrial design education: A study in the Indian context. Designs, v. 7, n. 5, 2023.
BERNARDO, N.; DUARTE, E. Immersive virtual reality in an industrial design education context: what the future looks like according to its educators. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, v. 19, n. 2, p. 238-255, 2022.
BERNI, A.; BORGIANNI, Y. Applications of virtual reality in engineering and product design: why, what, how, when and where. Electronics (Switzerland),
v. 9, n. 7, p. 1-29, 2020.
CAMBA, J. D.; SOLER, J. L.; CONTERO, M. Immersive visualization technologies to facilitate multidisciplinary design education. In: ZAPHIRIS P.; IOANNOU A. (ed.). Lecture notes in computer science: including subseries lecture notes in artificial intelligence and lecture notes in nioinformatics, 2017.
CHANIAUD, N.; FLEURY, S.; POUSSARD, B.; CHRISTMANN, O.; GUITTER, T.; RICHIR, S. Is virtual reality so user-friendly for non-designers in early design activities? Comparing skills needed to traditional sketching versus virtual reality sketching. Design Science, v. 9, 2023.
DAMGRAVE, R. G. J.; LUTTERS, E.; PUTNIK, G. D. Student driven learning in synthetic environments. 29TH CIRP Design Conference 2019, v. 84, p. 341–346, 2019.
DAVIES, K. S. Formulating the evidence based practice question: a review of the frameworks. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, v. 6, n. 2, p. 75-80, 24 June 2011.
DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ, E. M.; BELAROUSSI, R.; SOTO-MARTÍN, O.; ACOSTA, M.; MARTÍN-GUTIERREZ, J. Effect of interactive virtual reality on the teaching of conceptual design in engineering and architecture fields. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), v. 15, n. 8, 2025.
DORTA, T.; KINAYOGLU, G.; BOUDHRAÂ, S. A new representational ecosystem for design teaching in the studio. Design Studies, v. 47, p. 164-186, 2016.
EVANS, P.; SODERLUND, C. New foundations: Craft, design, education and VR in the 21st century. In: BUCK, L.; BOHEMIA, E.; GRIERSON, H. (ed.). Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. [S. l.]: The Design Society, 2020.
GOLDSCHMIDT, G.; MATTHEWS, B. Formulating design research questions: a framework. Design Studies, v. 78, p. 101062, Jan. 2022.
GONZÁLEZ, N. A. A. Development of spatial skills with virtual reality and augmented reality. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing,
v. 12, n. 1, p. 133-144, 2018.
HALABI, O. Immersive virtual reality to enforce teaching in engineering education. Multimedia Tools and Applications, v. 79, n. 3-4, p. 2987-3004, 2020.
HAMAD, A.; JIA, B. How virtual reality technology has changed our lives: an overview of the current and potential applications and limitations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, v. 19, n. 18, 2022.
HAMURCU, A. User insights about using immersive virtual reality in industrial design studio courses. In: International Symposium on Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Technologies, 2., 2018, Ancara. Proceedings [...]. Ancara: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018.
HAMURCU, A.; TIMUR, S.; RIZVANOGLU, K. A study on the adoption of virtual reality in industrial design education. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies,
v. 16, n. 6, p. 900-913, 2023.
HAMURCU, A.; TIMUR, Ş.; RIZVANOĞLU, K. An overview of virtual reality within industrial design education. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology,
v. 18, n. 6, p. 1889-1905, 2020.
HENRICH, A.; SCHULTZE, T.; WEISBECKER, A.; RIEDEL, O.; ECONOMOU, D. (ed.). Integrating a teaching concept for the use of virtual reality in university teaching. In: ECONOMOU, D.; PENA-RIOS, A.; DENGEL, A.; DODDS, H.; MENTZELOPOULOS, M.; KLIPPEL, A.; ERENLI, K.; LEE, M. J. W.; RICHTER, J. (ed.). Proceedings of 2021 7th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network, iLRN 2021. [S. l.]: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2021.
HUANG, H.; LEE, C. F. Factors affecting usability of 3D model learning in a virtual reality environment. Interactive Learning Environments, v. 30, n. 5,
p. 848-861, 2022.
HUANG, H.; LIN, C.; CAI, D. Enhancing the learning effect of virtual reality 3D modeling: a new model of learner’s design collaboration and a comparison of its field system usability. Universal Access in the Information Society,
v. 20, n. 3, p. 429-440, 2021.
HUANG, Y. C.; CHEN, Y. R. The study of virtual reality product design in education learning. In: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 2019. [S. l.]:
Association for Computing Machinery, 2019.
JALIL, J. M. N.; BAZUA, A. C.; HERRAN, L. C. F.; CASTILLO, F. I. G.; KATASE, D. O.;
VALENZUELA, O. A. G.; JEMNI M.; KALLEL I.; AKKARI A. (ed.). The virtual
reality as a flexible resource to improve engineering education. In: JEMNI, M.; KALLEL, I.; AKKARI, A. (ed.). IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference. [S. l.]: IEEE Computer Society, 2022.
JERALD, J. The VR book: human-centered design for virtual reality. New York: Association for Computing Machinery Morgan & Claypool Publishers, 2016.
JIAWEI, W.; MOKMIN, N.; SHAORONG, J. Enhancing higher education art students’ learning experience through virtual reality: a comprehensive literature
review of product design courses. Interactive Learning Environments,
v. 32, n. 10, p. 7399-7415, 25 Nov. 2024.
JIMENO-MORENILLA, A.; SÁNCHEZ-ROMERO, J. L.; MORA-MORA, H.; COLL-MIRALLES, R. Using virtual reality for industrial design learning: a methodological proposal. Behaviour and Information Technology, v. 35, n. 11, p. 897-906, 2016.
JINDAL, R.; MITTAL, S. K.; BANSAL, A. Engineering education and the use of virtual reality: idea and possibility. In: IEEE Delhi Section Owned Conference, 2., 2023, Punjab, India. Proceedings [...]. Punjab, India: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023.
KOOHGILANI, M.; GLITHRO, R.; BOHEMIA, E. Virtual reality as a teaching tool in engineering & design. In: International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Towards a New Innovation Landscape, 21., 2019, Glasgow. Proceedings [...]. Glasgow, 2019.
LEE, N.; CHEN, C. H. Empowering studio design pedagogy through extended reality environment. In: Global Conference on Consumer Electronics, 13., 2024, Kitakyushu. Proceedings [...]. Kitakyushu, Japan: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024.
LIAO, R. Virtual reality technology in art education system. In: JAIN, L. C.; BALAS,
V. E.; WU, Q.; SHI, F. (ed.). Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications.
[S. l.]: IOS Press BV, 2024.
LIN, C. H.; HSU, P. H.; DETAND, J.; SELF, J. A.; RUXU, D.; GUNSING J. (ed.). Integrating procedural modelling process and immersive VR environment for architectural design education. In: DETAND, J.; SELF, J. A.; RUXU, D.; GUNSING, J. (ed.). Matec web of conferences. [S. l.]: EDP Sciences, 2017.
LIU, K.; TAN, B.; KARRI, R.; GARG, S. Training data poisoning in ML-CAD: Backdooring DL-based lithographic hotspot detectors. IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, v. 40, n. 6, p. 1244-1257, 2021.
MOHAMED, T. I.; SICKLINGER, A. An integrated curriculum of virtual/augmented reality for multiple design students. Education and Information Technologies, [s. l.], v. 27, n. 8, p. 11137–11159, 2022.
MUHANNA, M. A. Virtual reality and the CAVE: taxonomy, interaction challenges and research directions. Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences, v. 27, n. 3, p. 344-361, July 2015.
NAZLIDOU, I.; EFKOLIDIS, N.; KAKOULIS, K.; KYRATSIS, P. Innovative and interactive technologies in creative product design education: a review. Multimodal
Technologies and Interaction, v. 8, n. 12, 2024.
NISHIKAWA-PACHER, A. Research questions with PICO: a universal mnemonic. Publications, v. 10, n. 3, p. 21, 22 June 2022.
PAN, X.; HABERKORN, A.; Allebach, J. P.; Fan, Z.; LIN, Q. Interactive 3D modeling with virtual reality. IS and T International Symposium on Electronic Imaging Science and Technology, 2021.
RAHIMIAN, F. P.; IBRAHIM, R. Impacts of VR 3D sketching on novice designers’ spatial cognition in collaborative conceptual architectural design. Design Studies, v. 32, n. 3, p. 255-291, May 2011.
RICHARDSON, W. S.; WILSON, M. C.; NISHIKAWA, J.; HAYWARD, R. S. A. The well-built clinical question: a key to evidence-based decisions. ACP Journal Club, v. 123, n. 3, p. A12-A13, Dec. 1995.
ROSSONI, M.; SPADONI, E.; CARULLI, M.; BARONE, C.; COLOMBO, G.; BORDEGONI, M. Virtual reality in education to enable active learning and hands-on experience. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, v. 21, n. 2, p. 258-269, 2024.
RUBIO-TAMAYO, J..; BARRIO, M. G.; GARCÍA, F. G. Immersive environments and virtual reality: systematic review and advances in communication, interaction and simulation. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, v. 1, n. 4,
p. 21, 27 Sept. 2017.
SHIH, S. L.; OU, S. J.; HUANG, Y. C.; MU, Y. C. The difficulties and countermeasures of applying virtual reality to industrial design education. In: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. [S. l.]: Association for Computing Machinery, 2019.
SIENA, F. L.; MALCOLM, R.; KENNEA, P.; STEWART, J.; CUTTS, A.; BOHEMIA E.
et al. (ed.). The trajectory of design sketching: an inquiry into educational pathways, higher education transitions & design sketching syllabus development for 1st year product design students. In: BOHEMIA, E.; BOHEMIA, E.; BUCK L.; GRIERSON, H.; KIM, J.; STORER, I.; WHITEHEAD, T. (ed.). Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Rise of the Machines: Design Education in the Generative AI Era, E and PDE 2024. [S. l.]: The Design Society, 2024.
SVIDT, K.; SØRENSEN, J. B. Development of a virtual reality solution for end user involvement in interior design. In: eCAADe 2016: Complexity & Simplicity, 2016, Oulu, Finland. Anais [...]. Oulu, Finland: [S. n.], 2016. p. 541-546.
TAMAYO, J. L. R. Realidad extendida, interactividad y entornos inmersivos 3d: Revisión de la literatura y proyecciones. In: Congreso Internacional Ciudades Creativas, 7., 2019, Cartagena de Indias. Actas Icono 14 [...]. Cartagena de Indias: [S. n.], abr. 2019. v. 1, p. 396-415.
TAYLOR, A. Designing with virtual enviroments: exploring object attachment through digital interaction. In: ORDONEZ PIZARRO, I.; SUSTERSIC, P.; BUCK, L.; GRIERSON, H.; BOHEMIA, E. (ed.). Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Responsible Innovation for Global Co-Habitation. [S. l.]: The Design Society, 2023.
WANG, X.; TSAI, J; WANG, X. Collaborative design in virtual environments. New York: Springer, 2011.
ZHANG, F. Teaching reform of cultural and creative product design based on virtual reality (VR) technology. International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies, v. 18, n. 2, p. 1-15, 2023b.
ZHANG, M. Development of furniture design teaching system based on virtual reality technology. In: XIONG, Z.; HE, R. (ed.). Proceedings of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering. [S. l.]: SPIE, 2023a.
ZHANG, W.; RANSCOMBE, C. Embracing new visualisation tools in education: how the learning experience of digital sketching influences its use in design practice. Proceedings of the Design Society. Cambridge University Press, 2021.
ZHANG, W.; RANSCOMBE, C.; PIUMSOMBOON, T.; MALLYA, P. What determines VR integration in design practice? An investigation of industrial designer’s acceptance of VR visualisation tools. In: OTTO, K. (ed.). Proceedings of the Design Society. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fabiano Burgo, César Imai
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
a) Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the Project simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License that allows the sharing of the Project with recognition of the authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b) Authors are authorized to assume additional contracts separately for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the Project published in this journal (e.g., publishing in an institutional repository or as a book chapter), indicating that it was originally published in this journal, with a link to the article.
Todo o conteúdo de Cadernos de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo está licenciado sob 