Augmenting perceived interpersonal connection with an affective computing-informed video conferencing interface

Abstract

Video conferencing is not only becoming more common in the 21st century, but globalization and the COVID-19 pandemic have shown it to be a crucial part of modern communication and collaboration. Video conferencing may be an effective tool for fostering collaboration in an increasingly globalized world and reducing the negative outcomes associated loneliness. However it still lacks the richness of information that face-to-face communication offers. This study employs a color-changing interface design informed by affective computing principles to investigate if embedding explicit emotional feedback can improve the feeling of interpersonal connection in video-based communication.