Sharmishtha Sen
She/Her
Sammy is a creative technologist and immersive experience designer who explores the emotional potential of VR and motion capture. Her work focuses on how nonverbal communication like gestures and body language can make virtual interactions feel more human and expressive. She’s contributed to projects across indie games, experimental installations, and interactive storytelling, always with an eye toward emotional resonance and intuitive design. Fun fact: If Sammy were a fish, she’d be a cuttlefish— datable, curious, and always vibing with the environment.
GestureSync: Bridging Emotions and Motion in Virtual Reality Through Interactive Non-Verbal Communication
TG Lightning Talks @ Melbourne International Games Week 2025
This session explores the fusion of the Meta Quest 3 VR headset with motion capture technology to create emotionally resonant virtual experiences. By focusing on nonverbal communication such as hand gestures and body language the project investigates how familiar movements and spatial design influence user engagement. The research highlights how open environments foster deeper emotional connections during one-on-one interactions, while enclosed spaces enhance focus and immersion. In contrast, crowded settings may dilute the impact of gestures due to sensory overload. Drawing on prior studies in gesture-based input and nonverbal expression, this work emphasizes the importance of spatial dynamics in shaping virtual interactions. The findings point to exciting possibilities for designing VR experiences that feel more intuitive, expressive, and human. Whether for education, storytelling, or social engagement, this session showcases how motion and emotion can be harmonized to elevate the future of interactive design.
Sharmishtha Sen
She/Her
Sammy is a creative technologist and immersive experience designer who explores the emotional potential of VR and motion capture. Her work focuses on how nonverbal communication like gestures and body language can make virtual interactions feel more human and expressive. She’s contributed to projects across indie games, experimental installations, and interactive storytelling, always with an eye toward emotional resonance and intuitive design. Fun fact: If Sammy were a fish, she’d be a cuttlefish— datable, curious, and always vibing with the environment.