Flying dreams can evoke feelings of empowerment and self-transcendent experience, which benefit well-being, but such dreams are hard to induce intentionally. Virtual reality (VR) flying interfaces with more embodied self-motion cues better supported self-transcendent experience and empowerment than those with fewer cues. Design considerations derived include obscurity, extraordinary light, and a supportive setting. These findings contribute to guidelines for designing VR experiences that foster self-transcendence and empowerment, potentially applicable to improving mental well-being.
Interviews with five HCI/Design experts who use micro-phenomenology reveal how this qualitative method helps articulate users' nuanced, complex experiences beyond surface descriptions. The method, used in HCI/Design research since 2001, unfolds conditions for describing experience and provides value by developing vocabulary for multi-sensory experiences and uncovering embodied tacit knowledge. The findings highlight micro-phenomenology's role in articulating the experiences of both designers and participants, contributing to a deeper understanding of user experience in design contexts.