My research explores how Virtual Reality (VR), an emerging technology, can raise awareness and foster empathy for individuals with megalophobia. By leveraging VR to simulate the experience of those with megalophobia, the project allows the general public to directly experience the feelings individuals with megalophobia experience on a day-to-day basis, offering an immersive experience that fosters understanding and emotional connection. This aligns with the brief’s objective to address mental health through innovative products, services, or experiences enabled by emerging technologies. Additionally, my research delves into the concept of the sublime to create a unique, awe-inspiring VR environment that appeals to the general audience, appealing to a wider audience and allowing more people to experience and empathise with those suffering from phobias. Through this, the project aims to bridge gaps in public awareness and contribute to motivating support for phobias.

DeepBreath VR is a virtual reality experience designed to raise awareness and empathy for individuals with megalophobia, a fear of large objects, by immersing users in environments that evoke a sense of awe, wonder, and slight unease—elements of the sublime. Rather than focusing on fear-inducing stimuli, the project uses vast, immersive visuals to create an experience that is both captivating and informative, making the message accessible to a broader audience. The project employs a user-centred design approach, ensuring that each design phase reflects the psychological and emotional aspects of megalophobia, allowing users to experience it in a controlled yet impactful way.