ABSTRACT
The role of new digital technologies in design practice is becoming nowa days ever more important (Cruz-Neira, Sandin, & DeFanti, 1993; Sastry 8c Boyd, 1998). Activity in interaction design can also be seen in the light of these technologies, particularly those of virtual environments (VEs) that al low the designer to exploit directly features such as immersive visualization and haptic (that is, touch-related) interaction with virtual objects (Gomes de Sa & Zachmann, 1999). However, although VE technologies offer powerful tools for design practice, the most exciting aspect of their use in design con cerns the direct implementation of new paradigms of interaction between the user and the product or service, and between the designer and the ob ject to be designed.
