Effects of Wedge Design, Interaction Mode, and Viewing Perspective on User Wayfinding Behavior within a 3D Virtual Environment

To most of us, conduct wayfinding behavior within a virtual environment using a smart mobile device has become a common task in our daily life. Various visual designs together with different interaction modes are available in these smart devices. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of wedge visual design on user interaction mode within a 3D virtual environment. This study adopted the wedge design concept proposed by Gustafson, Baudisch, Gutwin, and Irani (2008) whose wedge design can illustrate visualized information regarding distance and direction to the user. Nonetheless, their study was conducted within a 2D environment. This study is conducted based on the concept from Gustafson et al. (2008) but using a 3D virtual environment with different research variables. There are two types of viewing perspectives adopted in this study, i.e., the 1st person perspective (1PP) and the 3rd person perspective (3PP). This is because research indicated that human uses difference neuro-processes with different viewing perspectives (Ruby, & Decety, 2001; Vogeley, May, Ritzl, Falkai, Zilles, & Fink, 2004). More specifically, the 1PP treats the user as an avatar while looking and searching within a virtual environment. It is often used in shooting games without paying too much attention on the surrounding environment. The 3PP is like the manipulation of a puppy. Users often watch the avatar’s back head to help explore the environment. The 3PP can provide wider vision than the 1PP. It can be a good facilitator for the design of virtual environment for hearingor haptic-impaired persons. Fabricatore, Nussbaum, and Rosas (2002) also argue that the 3PP can support large scale strategic advantages.