Evolution of UI/UX Design in Augmented Reality

When people think of augmented reality (AR), they think of visual overlays of digital information in the real world. They think of wearable AR displays that overlay visual data and images into the real world. This perception of AR is based on the first head-mounted displays that projected computer-generated graphics to create a form of mixed reality.

These machines were invented in 1968.

Needless to say, this traditional perception of AR is quite outdated. Today, we are almost 50 years deep in the age of augmented reality. Today, AR integrates audio and other sensory data to give users an augmented sense of reality across all senses.

This shift is particularly significant for user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designers who work on and with these devices. These professionals are required to develop new user interfaces that accommodate spatial computing and real-time data integration. It also gives them new possibilities to enhance their own work.

UI/UX Design in the Age of Augmented Reality

Unlike traditional interfaces where users engage from a distance, AR allows individuals to become active participants within their environments, fundamentally altering how they interact with digital content. The integration of AR into everyday devices — such as smartphones and wearables, has made these technologies more accessible to a broader audience.

The accessibility enhances user engagement by providing contextual and spatial interactions that are particularly beneficial in fields like architecture, education, and retail.

• AR apps can enable users to visualize architectural designs in real-world settings.
• They can assist shoppers in making informed purchasing decisions by overlaying product information directly onto their view.
• AR also holds the potential to reduce friction in daily tasks by providing immediate access to relevant information without disrupting ongoing activities.
• In industrial contexts, AR is poised to revolutionize workflows by allowing professionals to visualize complex systems directly within their work environments.
• Educational aspects from sports training to remedial education will also be assisted by AR.
• Entertainment will evolve to new exciting, immersive, and amazing heights.
• Real-time visual translations will be used daily.
• Surgeons will operate and diagnose remotely.
• We will visit museums, new homes, and travel destinations from our homes.

As designers adapt to these changes, they must embrace new design paradigms that prioritize immersion and intuitiveness. This shift from two-dimensional design to three-dimensional experiences requires a rethinking of traditional UI/UX principles.

Emphasis on Spatial Design

The latest AR technologies necessitate a focus on spatial design. They do not have conventional two-dimensional interfaces. For example, AR devices like the Microsoft HoloLens use see-through optical technology to project digital content into the user’s surroundings. It allows for real-time interaction with virtual objects. This spatial consideration enhances user engagement by creating a sense of presence within the digital environment.

Designers must consider how users navigate through three-dimensional environments.

• Begin by analyzing the physical environment where the AR experience takes place.
• Use environmental mapping techniques to understand how digital elements interact with real-world objects.
• Position digital content within the optimal viewing angles to minimize user discomfort.
• Ensure that important information is placed within 30 degrees off-center of the user’s gaze for optimal, neck-strain-free viewing during prolonged use.
• For vertical placement, aim for a 40-degree area slightly above the horizon line.
• Use spatial cues and landmarks to guide users through the digital environment.
• Consider incorporating waypoints or visual indicators that help users orient themselves and navigate complex spaces effectively.
• Integrate spatial audio and haptic feedback to enhance immersion.

UI/UX designers must also incorporate realistic physics into their designs. Objects should behave as they would in the real world, respecting boundaries and physical space.

Innovative Information Presentation

The challenge of displaying information in AR/VR environments differs significantly from traditional interfaces. The Canon Mreal S1 headset exemplifies this challenge. This AR tool combines real-world imagery with computer-generated graphics in real time. It enables users to visualize complex data in context. This application of AR is particularly beneficial in industries like automotive design and museum curation, where contextual information enhances decision-making.

Designers must develop appropriate systems that can overlay relevant data onto the physical world without disrupting the immersive experience. They must prioritize contextual relevance when presenting information and ensure it is contextually relevant to the user’s current task or environment.

For instance, if designing an AR app for automotive design, designers have to overlay technical specifications directly onto vehicle components as users examine them. Designing such features comes with the risk of overwhelming users with too much information at once. UI/UX designers must break down complex data into digestible chunks and provide contextual tutorials that guide users through necessary interactions as they arise.

Natural Interaction Through Gestures

AR facilitates more natural forms of interaction through gestures and voice commands, allowing users to manipulate digital content intuitively. This hands-free approach is especially advantageous in environments where users need to maintain focus on their tasks, such as in manufacturing or medical training scenarios.

For example, gesture-based controls enable users to interact with virtual objects seamlessly, enhancing the overall user experience. To accommodate such features, UI/UX designers must:

• Learn how to design intuitive gesture-based controls that allow users to interact with virtual objects naturally.
• Augment gesture controls with voice commands to provide users with multiple ways to interact with the AR environment.
• Conduct usability testing in environments similar to where the AR application will be used.
• Ensure that users receive immediate feedback when they perform gestures or voice commands.
• This feedback can be visual (e.g., highlighting selected objects) or auditory (e.g., confirmation sounds)

Apps like Tilt Brush already use sound effects to enrich user engagement. Designers should learn from this multi-sensory UI/UX approach.

Rethinking Navigation Paradigms

The navigation paradigms within AR/VR environments differ markedly from traditional interfaces. Designers need to establish new navigation systems that can guide users through different virtual spaces without overwhelming them with information or options.

Transformative Apps Across Industries

AR and VR technologies are being applied across various sectors, revolutionizing workflows and enhancing training methodologies.

In military applications, for instance, Elbit’s Iron Vision helmet provides soldiers with augmented views of their surroundings, improving situational awareness and operational safety. In manufacturing, AR glasses offer real-time digital instructions directly in the workers’ field of view, significantly reducing errors and improving productivity.

What does this mean for UI/UX designers? It means that they have to:

• Design interfaces that provide high-resolution visuals with minimal latency.
• Create AR app designs that overlay step-by-step instructions directly onto machinery or assembly lines.
• Implement systems that provide immediate feedback (design alerts or visual cues) when errors occur during manufacturing processes.
• Design adaptive learning interfaces that adjust the difficulty of training scenarios based on user performance.

More importantly, UI/UX designers will have to work closer than ever with their clients to truly grasp what their end users need. Only then will their AR tools/apps contribute to better operational outcomes across various sectors.

User-Centric Design Approaches in AR/VR Technologies

Regular apps need to be user-centric to succeed.

AR apps need to be user-centric to function.

As AR technology continues to evolve, the emphasis on user-centric design principles must become stronger. UI/UX designers must:

• Develop detailed user personas that represent the specific use cases for the AR app.
• Visualize the user journey by mapping out each step users take while interacting with the AR experience.
• Develop low-fidelity prototypes of AR interfaces and test them in real-world scenarios.
• When creating AR apps that rely on IoT data, ensure that data is presented clearly and contextually relevant to users’ immediate tasks.
• Establish a clear hierarchy of information displayed within the AR interface.

For example, let us say you are designing an app to be used with the AR helmets promoted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for first responders.

To create the UI/UX design of such an AR app, you have to:

• Collaborate closely with first responders to understand their workflows and challenges.
• Conduct participatory design sessions where firefighters can provide direct input on interface elements and functionalities.
• Use mock-ups of structural layouts in training exercises to see how effectively firefighters can navigate using AR overlays.
• Gather feedback on usability and clarity during these tests.
• Refine prototypes based on user feedback from testing sessions.
• When developing apps for incident command officers, you have to consider integrating eye-tracking technology to enable hands-free navigation through critical information.

Conclusion

Augmented reality is blurring the boundaries between the digital and physical world and moving us into a new level of contextuality. It will “augment” us as in “expand our capabilities and reduce the friction in our lives”.

But without world-class UX design agency services, none of this will happen. So, UI/UX designers must step up their game and help the world power through the age of AR!