Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the user-computer interaction with a desktop virtual reality interface developed to understand people’s preferences in furniture design. A web-based design review system incorporating an interactive three-dimensional showroom was implemented to obtain user responses on three residential furniture categories (i.e., chair, sofa, and table). In order to effectively investigate the usability, a counterinterface utilizing still images for the same task was developed. In this study, the between-subject comparison reveals the effects of selected user characteristics and interactive experiences from both interfaces. A total of 87 college students from various academic disciplines participated in the study. Focusing on relevant user characteristics found in previous studies in the field of human-computer interaction and interactive marketing, effects of prior computing experience, computer self-efficacy, immersive tendencies, and product involvement were examined regarding their influences upon perceived usability. Findings of this study include significant effects of product involvement on perceived ease of use, sense of presence, and satisfaction.