Enhancing user experience in the metaverse: exploring abstract user design semiotics and its impact on communication culture

• Main Author: Storey, Anton
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/44713
• topic: User experience; Abstract semiotics; Virtual reality; Augmented reality; Metaverse; HCI

The metaverse represents an emerging frontier for user experience (UX) design. This paper investigates the potential of applying abstract semiotics to metaverse interfaces. A literature review covers core concepts and methodologies proposed, including the analysis of comparative user tests, surveys, interviews, usability studies, and experiments. Literature review results suggest gaps for further research on abstract semiotics to improve navigation, comprehension, appeal, and accessibility versus literal icons. However, findings indicate that semiotics must be tailored to metaverse contexts, balancing simplicity with user expectations and interaction feedback to understand the implications of personalised experiences to establish its impact on the future of communication. Concrete guidelines are needed to help designers utilise semiotics effectively in virtual environments. Further research with expanded participant samples and UX technology is warranted to progress this research area further.