The practice-based research inquiry, Fractal Priority, examines and mobilises applied creative thinking to potentially ease the isolation experienced by individuals using virtual fractal nature. It synergises a selection of autoethnographic approaches into cancer and the lived body, with narratives of care and observation, through art and design imperatives, aligning these with the psychological benefits of restorative environments. The motivation behind the research stems from a personal encounter with cancer and its treatment within an isolated clinical setting. Research shows that some aspects of an environment, such as overcrowding, noise, improper lighting, unpleasant odours, and intricate layouts, can induce stress (Sternberg, 2013). These factors are common in clinical environments worldwide, including the United Kingdom. The research proposes the utilisation of virtual environments, using the fractal dimension of 2.4, to alleviate stress for individuals facing isolation in unnatural clinical environments or confined within urban settings.The practice-based research explores fractals as a measurable parameter. The study builds upon previous research (van Almkerk & Huisman, 2018) to investigate fractal geometry optimisation and its effects, in a purposely constructed virtual nature setting with motion. By incorporating a specific fractal dimension in a 360-degree virtual environment, the study supports attention restoration (Kaplan, 1997) and reduce stress (Ulrich, 1981). It does this using three main measures: the connectedness to nature scale (Mayer & Frantz, 2004) mood adjective checklist (Matthews et al., 1990) and perceived restorativeness scale (Hartig, et al., 1997). Ultimately, the project aims to provide an optimised reproduction of nature's restorative effects through creative and virtual reality technology, allowing isolated individuals to benefit from nature's therapeutic effects despite their physical limitations.
| Date of Award | 11 Jun 2026 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Anneke Pettican (Main Supervisor) |
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