Designing a 3D Naturalistic Workspace:
A Cognitive Systems Analysis

Using Human Factors and Decision Modeling to Enhance Creative Collaboration

Institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University  |  Focus: Cognitive Systems Engineering  |  Methods: TWDA, Decision Ladder, Abstraction Hierarchy

The Challenge

Aligning creative workflows with human cognition in a shared virtual workspace.

Creative design teams working in 3D modeling and animation often struggle with fragmented workflows, redundant actions, and poor spatial coordination across roles like modeling, texturing, lighting, and composition. Consequently, these challenges hinder efficient collaboration.

Research Methodology

Firstly, Team Work Domain Analysis (TWDA) mapped role interdependencies

Next, Decision Ladder modeled novice-to-expert decision flow

Finally, Abstraction Hierarchy outlined system goals and components

Identified cognitive bottlenecks, communication failures, redundant workflows

Key Findings

As a result, High cognitive load caused by overlapping team demands

Consequently, spatial disorganization led to rendering and composition errors

2D tools lacked support for shared task awareness

VR made coordination intuitive and decreased task strain

Design Implications

Immersive, role-specific workspaces that visualize cognitive artifacts can improve team performance and reduce communication breakdowns. Cognitive models like TWDA and Decision Ladders enable deeper insight into system usability and can guide 3D creative tool development.

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