Abstract

The experience of managing multiple activities in virtual reality remains limited fragmented workflows caused by disruptive application switching. We present JourneyVR, a metaphorical interaction model that reframes workflows as continuous journeys rather than isolated sessions. Users construct a Journey Map as a layout of islands (tasks) and bridges (transitions), which expands into an immersive world where tasks unfold \within a coherent journey. Through a formative study, a controlled comparison, and an expert evaluation, JourneyVR was iteratively refined and shown to enhance continuity, intention to use, and overall satisfaction compared to using a conventional app launcher. Participants emphasized how the journey metaphor provided a stronger sense of coherence, motivation, and achievement, while also noting challenges of scalability and flexibility. Our findings demonstrate that embodying workflows as navigable journeys can transform fragmented VR tasks into meaningful narratives and highlight opportunities for supporting sustained engagement and more flexible workflows in immersive environments.