Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study

Poonam Patil; Surej Mouli; Zhuangzhuang Dai

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

Abstract

Virtual Humans (VHs) are rapidly emerging as key interfaces in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) across domains such as education, healthcare, and customer services. While their technical capabilities continue to advance, a core challenge remains; designing VHs that meaningfully align with the expectations of diverse user groups. This study investigates how user age influences preferences for key VH attributes, including perceived agent age and emotional responsiveness. Based on responses from 773 participants aged 18 and above, we identify clear age-based differences in preferences for visual age and interactional expressiveness. Younger users tend to favour emotionally responsive, younger-looking VHs, while older users show preferences for mature agent personas. While context-specific VH preferences may vary, these findings reinforce the position that VH systems should, in general, incorporate adaptive, age-sensitive designs to promote inclusivity and adoption.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications
Editors	Josef F. Krems, Hugo Plácido da Silva, Pietro Cipresso
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	538-550
Number of pages	13
ISBN (Electronic)	9783032164483
ISBN (Print)	9783032164476
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30
Publication status	Published - 19 May 2026

Publication series

Name	Communications in Computer and Information Science
Publisher	Springer
Volume	2834
ISSN (Print)	1865-0929
ISSN (Electronic)	1865-0937

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This version of the paper has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-science/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms], but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Human-computer interaction
User-centred interaction design
Virtual human personalisation
age-based customisation

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

Cite this

Patil, P., Mouli, S., & Dai, Z. (2026). Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study. In J. F. Krems, H. P. da Silva, & P. Cipresso (Eds.), International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications (pp. 538-550). (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2834). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

Patil, Poonam ; Mouli, Surej ; Dai, Zhuangzhuang. / Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study. International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. editor / Josef F. Krems ; Hugo Plácido da Silva ; Pietro Cipresso. Springer Nature, 2026. pp. 538-550 (Communications in Computer and Information Science).

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abstract = "Virtual Humans (VHs) are rapidly emerging as key interfaces in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) across domains such as education, healthcare, and customer services. While their technical capabilities continue to advance, a core challenge remains; designing VHs that meaningfully align with the expectations of diverse user groups. This study investigates how user age influences preferences for key VH attributes, including perceived agent age and emotional responsiveness. Based on responses from 773 participants aged 18 and above, we identify clear age-based differences in preferences for visual age and interactional expressiveness. Younger users tend to favour emotionally responsive, younger-looking VHs, while older users show preferences for mature agent personas. While context-specific VH preferences may vary, these findings reinforce the position that VH systems should, in general, incorporate adaptive, age-sensitive designs to promote inclusivity and adoption.",

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Patil, P , Mouli, S & Dai, Z 2026, Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study. in JF Krems, HP da Silva & P Cipresso (eds), International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol. 2834, Springer Nature, pp. 538-550. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study. / Patil, Poonam ; Mouli, Surej ; Dai, Zhuangzhuang.
International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. ed. / Josef F. Krems; Hugo Plácido da Silva; Pietro Cipresso. Springer Nature, 2026. p. 538-550 (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2834).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

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N1 - Copyright © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This version of the paper has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-science/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms], but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

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AB - Virtual Humans (VHs) are rapidly emerging as key interfaces in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) across domains such as education, healthcare, and customer services. While their technical capabilities continue to advance, a core challenge remains; designing VHs that meaningfully align with the expectations of diverse user groups. This study investigates how user age influences preferences for key VH attributes, including perceived agent age and emotional responsiveness. Based on responses from 773 participants aged 18 and above, we identify clear age-based differences in preferences for visual age and interactional expressiveness. Younger users tend to favour emotionally responsive, younger-looking VHs, while older users show preferences for mature agent personas. While context-specific VH preferences may vary, these findings reinforce the position that VH systems should, in general, incorporate adaptive, age-sensitive designs to promote inclusivity and adoption.

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PB - Springer Nature

ER -

Patil P , Mouli S , Dai Z. Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study. In Krems JF, da Silva HP, Cipresso P, editors, International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. Springer Nature. 2026. p. 538-550. (Communications in Computer and Information Science). Epub 2026 May 1. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-16448-3_30

Design Implications for Virtual Humans: Insights from a User Preference Study

Abstract

Publication series

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this