journal article·2025-08-07Open access

The Role of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Industrial Design: A Case Study of Usability Assessment

Amanda Martín-Mariscal, Carmen Torres-Leal, Teresa Aguilar-Planet, Estela Peralta

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 15

Abstract

The integration of virtual and augmented reality is transforming processes in the field of product design. This study evaluates the usability of immersive digital tools applied to industrial design through a combined market research and empirical case study, using the software ‘Gravity Sketch’ and the immersive headset ‘Meta Quest 3’. An embedded single case study was conducted based on the international standard ISO 9241-11, considering the dimensions of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, analysed through nine indicators: tasks completed, time to complete tasks, dimensional accuracy, interoperability, interactivity, fatigue, human error, learning curve, and perceived creativity. The results show a progressive improvement in user–system interaction across the seven Design Units, as users become more familiar with immersive technologies. Effectiveness improves as users gain experience, though it remains sensitive to design complexity. Efficiency shows favourable values even in early stages, reflecting operational fluency despite learning demands. Satisfaction records the greatest improvement, driven by smoother interaction and greater creative freedom. These findings highlight the potential of immersive tools to support design processes while also underlining the need for future research on sustained usability, interface ergonomics, and collaborative workflows in extended reality environments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · Augmented Reality Applications · Interactive and Immersive Displays

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Departamento de Ingeniería del Diseño, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, 41011 Sevilla, Spain

Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain

Funding

MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

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