Immersive evaluation of in-product lighting design using virtual reality

This study investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) as an immersive and efficient tool for evaluating in-product lighting design. Focusing on a side-by-side refrigerator, we conducted a designer workshop that produced 51 lighting concepts with diverse spatial and interactive characteristics. From these, eight representative scenarios across four design categories were selected and implemented within a VR simulation environment. Nineteen designers participated in the evaluation, using 14 structured assessment items and the system usability scale. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to gather qualitative insights. The results suggest that VR enables intuitive and engaging evaluation experiences, supporting a strong sense of presence and contextual immersion. Furthermore, the ability to simulate lighting across varied spatial and temporal conditions offered greater efficiency and flexibility than physical prototyping. These findings position VR as a scalable, context-rich platform for advancing methods in product experience research and lighting design evaluation.