Journal of Product Design, Quality Engineering & Technology

Abstract

Multi-sensory and immersive design has emerged as a critical area of research with the rapid advancement of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) interfaces. Unlike traditional screen-based interactions, immersive systems aim to engage users through multiple sensory channels including vision, hearing, touch, and, increasingly, smell and proprioception. This shift enables deeper user engagement, improved task performance, and enhanced experiential quality across domains such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment, and product design. This review paper explores the evolution of multi-sensory immersive design, core design principles, enabling technologies, and interaction paradigms used in AR/VR interfaces. It also discusses user experience considerations, challenges related to usability and accessibility, and ethical implications. Through analysis of current literature and real-world applications, the paper highlights how multi-sensory integration can improve presence, embodiment, and emotional engagement. The paper concludes by identifying emerging research directions, including adaptive sensory systems, AI-driven personalization, and sustainable immersive design frameworks.

Keywords: Multi-sensory design, immersive interfaces, augmented reality, virtual reality, human–computer interaction, user experience