The digital world is going through some major transformations. We are moving from flat screens into fully interactive 3D worlds.
Two major technologies at the forefront of this evolution are Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The use of AR & VR in design goes beyond just making new products.
The integration of technology allows us to create the new ways for humans to interact with technology and the world as we design, allowing genuine experiential engagement with AR & VR.
Understanding the Core Concepts: AR vs VR
To understand the implications on design will require differentiating these technologies. Virtual reality will immerse the user in a holistic digital experience. Virtual reality experiences usually require a headset for the user to view their own reality being replaced by a virtual one.
Virtual reality technology allows for experiences that are captivating and focused and often used in training or gaming. Augmented reality allows the user to add digital content on top of their reality.
The best example is Meta Augmented Reality, which allows a user to view and manipulate the physical and digital simultaneously through their smart devices or a pair of glasses.
Augmented reality includes applications that improve our real-world experiences, such as trying on a virtual product or adding an informational overlay to a real object. Both AR and VR, collectively termed AR VR technology, are opening the door for new approaches to design.
The Shift from 2D to Spatial UI Design
The lack of competition means that the applications and workflows for addressing spatial UI design development frameworks are being defined. Traditionally, UX design has developed out of 2D interface experiences (screens, buttons, and menu structures).
The advent of AR & VR in design and the prevalence of digital 3D design now present designers with challenges to consider when conceptualising and designing in 3D space.
This is a real paradigm shift! A spatial UI designer now needs to consider depth and scale and the user’s state while in the 3D experience.
Designers will need to create interfaces that feel natural and intuitive in real time, whether they are orientated such that they are mid-air in a virtual space or enveloped in natural reality. The digital elements need to feel like they belong in the real world.
Designing for Intuitive Interactions
Designing for AR & VR also means moving away from mouse clicks and finger taps, instead incorporating natural, human-centered interaction.
We will be designing for gesture control, voice selection, and/or gaze selection. In a VR scenario, if I want to interact with a virtual object, I should just reach out and grasp it with my hands.
An example in an AR experience would be while I am immersed in an experience, I could just look at the item I want to select, and the technology would select it for me.
This emphasis on intuitive motion-sensitive controls helps make the technology feel more accessible while creating an increased sense of presence and ultimately connection to the experience. This humanizes the experience by complementing natural actions.
Creating Personalized and Contextual Experiences
AR and VR experiences can be heavily contextualised and personalised, unlike traditional static websites or apps. Digital content is easily influenced by a user’s orientation, location and emotional state.
For example, a user could be presented with real-time information by an AR application of a landmark as they walk by it. An environment of a VR experience could be modified based on users’ previous actions.
The ability for personalization and contextual awareness provides designers the ability to deliver not only immersive but also relevant and meaningful experiences to each user.
The Importance of User-Centered Design in Immersive Technology
It is interesting to explore the technical limitations of AR/VR technology, but the emphasis can sometimes come at the expense of user-centred design.
The capabilities of AR and VR technologies are amazing, but the principles of usability, accessibility and user satisfaction should always guide design for user experiences.
Designers should take into consideration many factors, such as the amount of motion sickness a user experiences while using VR, creating a clear visual hierarchy, the availability of information in AR, and designing for different ranges of mobility and cognitive abilities in the growing number of users.
As technology continues to improve beyond our imagination, so does the role of a UX designer in ensuring a future where immersive digital experiences are pleasing and impactful.
Key Considerations for Immersive UX Designers
Designers who in the future will be working in design AR & VR will be faced with challenges that are unique to the medium.
Performance and Latency: Frame rates need to be high to ensure a seamless experience rendering and prevent motion sickness in VR.
Accessibility and Comfort: The user’s physical comfort with headsets and the potential accessibility of controls for all users continue to be important.
Sensory and Haptic Feedback: The use of multi-sensory feedback (e.g., audio and touch (haptics)) allows for a greater sense of presence and immersion in the experience.
Narrative and Storytelling: Immersive experiences are inherently non-linear experiences, which require designers to contextualize the experience as an environmental narrative vs. a linear narrative.
With the technical and creative considerations related to immersive design, many designers are looking to a specialized UI/UX design course in Gurgaon, Digital CourseAI, to learn the necessary skills and stay ahead in an ever-evolving field.
The Future of Immersive UX
The use of AR & VR in design will be continually evolving and will be ubiquitous.
As new and better technologies become readily available, we will be seeing a new set of experiences develop from the use of AR & VR. This includes collaborative workspaces in remote settings, educational and curriculum resources, retail, and even health care.
The future of UX design is where designers become the makers, not only of interfaces but also of whole VR and AR worlds. Designers are only beginning to evolve from design in 2D to design in 3D, and there are exciting times ahead.
The designer must ensure that the new experiences for the users will not only be aesthetically pleasing but also usable, accessible, and, most importantly, meet the users’ needs.
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