Visual summary
SUKOON - Vurtual Reality Tour guide
This project develops culturally tailored interventions using AI and virtual reality (VR) to teach and preserve Indian cultural heritage while addressing the impact of social rejection and cultural stereotyping. The goal is to promote mental well-being and cultural pride among Indian individuals. Following the Double Diamond Design Methodology and Human-Centered Design principles, the study engaged users through interviews and focus groups to identify challenges and refine solutions. AI and VR prototypes were developed, focusing on informative, non-therapeutic uses. AI guides users through immersive cultural experiences, providing educational insights about artifacts, traditions, and history. By offering an accessible, culturally enriching platform, this project fosters a deeper appreciation for Indian culture and challenges stereotypes. The iterative design ensures that the solutions are both culturally sensitive and effective, providing a model for integrating traditional values with modern technologies for mental health support.
Research Question
The initial research question, “How might we use emerging technologies to support mental health?” started broad, exploring how tools like AI and VR could enhance well-being. Reflecting on my experiences growing up in New Zealand with an Indian background, I saw the need to narrow the focus. Having witnessed cultural stereotyping, social rejection, and the difficulty of balancing dual identities, I recognised a gap in mental health support for those navigating these challenges.
This led me to refine the question: How might we use emerging technologies, including AI, to support the mental health of Indian individuals facing social rejection and cultural stereotyping? This shift allowed the project to align with my experiences, aiming to bridge technology with culturally sensitive mental health interventions.
Positionality
I am a 20-year-old male, born and raised in New Zealand, with an Indian background. My parents, who were born in Pune, India, immigrated to New Zealand, where I grew up in Auckland. Moving between various schools and neighborhoods, I was exposed to a range of cultural and social environments that have deeply shaped my worldview. As someone balancing the identities of being both a New Zealander and an Indian, I have encountered and witnessed racism and cultural challenges, which have influenced my outlook on life and work.
These experiences have heightened my awareness of the complexities surrounding cultural identity and the difficulties individuals face in reconciling their heritage with societal expectations. As a designer, I recognize that these insights not only enrich my understanding of the communities I engage with but also influence my assumptions when working with diverse groups. I must consciously navigate potential biases that arise from my cultural perspective to avoid projecting them onto users from different backgrounds.
In this project, my goal is to design a platform that facilitates the recognition of international qualifications in a culturally sensitive and equitable manner. While my Indian heritage equips me with an understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants, it is essential for me to actively engage with perspectives beyond my own, ensuring that the design process remains inclusive. By reflecting on my position, I aim to bridge the gap between my experiences and the diverse needs of users, fostering empathy, respect, and collaboration in my design practice.
Acknowledging my positionality is crucial to recognising how my background might shape interactions with participants and influence design decisions. It allows me to stay critically aware of the challenges I might face in understanding different perspectives, ensuring the final solution is inclusive and sensitive to cultural diversity.
Assignment Brief
Key Features
Final design
This design features a spacious, flat ground that provides ample room for users to explore and immerse themselves in the virtual environment. The expansive area allows users to freely roam and interact with cultural elements, enhancing their engagement with the space. At the center of this environment is the Taj Mahal. To further enrich the cultural experience, the environment includes Indian food carts offering a variety of regional cuisines, from street foods like pani puri to elaborate dishes like biryani. These carts are staffed by virtual vendors who engage with users, providing insights into the food’s origins and cultural significance. This thoughtful integration of open spaces, cultural elements, and traditional attire creates a multi-sensory experience that immerses users in the richness of Indian culture, making the VR environment both inclusive and culturally resonant.