Bridging Bond Beyond Life: Designing VR Memorial Space with Stakeholder Collaboration via Research through Design
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The integration of digital technologies into memorialization practices offers opportunities to transcend physical and temporal limitations. However, designing personalized memorial spaces that address the diverse needs of the dying and the bereaved remains underexplored. Using a Research through Design (RtD) approach, we conducted a three-phase study: participatory design, VR memorial space development, and user testing. This study highlights three key aspects: 1) the value of VR memorial spaces as bonding mediums, 2) the role of a design process that engages users through co-design, development, and user testing in addressing the needs of the dying and the bereaved, and 3) design elements that enhance the VR memorial experience. This research lays the foundation for personalized VR memorialization practices, providing insights into how technology can enrich remembrance and relational experiences.
Authors: Heejae Bae, Nayeong Kim, Sehee Lee, Tak Yeon Lee
Institution: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409906251