Exploring the role of Mixed Reality on Design Representations to Enhance User-Involved Co-Design Communication

As users transition from passive subjects to active partners in the co-design process, they bring unique insights based on their experiences, collaboratively envisioning a better future with designers. However, unlike designers who are adept at various forms of representation, most users lack advanced modeling or sketching skills to concretely present the three-dimensional (3D) forms or dynamic features of a design proposal. This hinders user expression and increases the cognitive load on designers, thereby reducing communication efficiency in the co-design process. Mixed Reality (MR) technology enables users to depict 3D information in real physical space using natural gestures. This means that MR can provide a low-learning-cost concrete expression method without compromising traditional communication methods. This study explores the role of MR in enhancing communication between designers and users during the early stages of design. A formative study was conducted to identify four key requirements, which informed the development of the DuoMR system. DuoMR supports designers and users in expressing design ideas through gesture modeling in a collaborative MR space. Results from the user study and practical case study show that DuoMR effectively reduces cognitive load and enhances mutual understanding during the co-design process.