Abstract

This paper examines the emotional impact of technology, specifically user interface (UI) design and virtual reality (VR) environments, using shades of colors as a metric. Building on research in color psychology, UI/UX design, and immersive VR experiences, this study explores how poorly designed digital interfaces influence emotional states and whether VR can mitigate negative effects. Participants (N = 64) completed a mood color survey before interacting with a journaling app, designed using Expo and React Native, with intentional frustrating design flaws. The mood color survey assessed seven emotions—happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, surprise, and stress—by having participants associate each emotion with a color and then rate their current emotions on a 1-5 scale. After this digital stressor, participants completed a second mood color survey measuring emotional changes. They were then immersed in either a stressful or peaceful VR environment before completing a final mood color survey. Results revealed that the bad UI significantly decreased happiness and increased anger, stress, and disgust. Exposure to VR helped regulate emotions, with the peaceful VR condition reducing stress and fear more effectively than the stressful VR condition. Color-emotion associations aligned with prior research, with lighter shades linked to positive emotions and darker shades associated with negative feelings. These findings highlight the psychological consequences of poor design and the potential of VR as a tool for emotional regulation and stress management. This study contributes to the growing field of digital well-being by emphasizing the importance of intuitive UI/UX design and the therapeutic applications of VR.

Advisor

Thompson, Claudia

Second Advisor

As’ad, Asa'd

Department

Computer Science; Psychology

Keywords

User Interface Design, Virtual Reality, Color-Emotion Associations

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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