For developers of immersive 360-degree virtual environments (VEs), directing the viewer's gaze towards points of interest (POIs) is a challenge. Limited research exists testing the effectiveness of various gaze direction techniques. However, there is a lack of empirical research evaluating dynamic, full-image color effects designed to direct the viewer's gaze. I have developed a novel VR gaze-directing stimulus using a dynamic real-time color effect and tested its effectiveness in a user study. The stimulus was influenced by color psychology research and chosen by participants in an informal pilot study. Results suggest that, in certain cases, the stimulus successfully re-directed viewer gaze towards POIs. While the task of holding viewer gaze in VR remains a challenge, the stimulus tested in this experiment has potential as a simple and customizable addition to the existing toolset of VR gaze-directing stimuli.
ETD Chair
McNamara, Ann Associate Dean for Research and Creative Works. School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
