Augmented Reality in UI/UX: More Than Just a Gimmick
When it comes to creating truly innovative user experiences (UX), augmented reality (AR) has become a compelling option for designers. We’ve all seen the headlines about the explosive growth of AR uses in gaming and retail shopping, but how is this technology revolutionizing the way that we design user interfaces?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how AR is being used to not only delight users, but to also create empathetic and immersive digital experiences. We'll also hear from AR designers and product developers to gain insight into creating innovative AR experiences.
To begin, let’s first distinguish between augmented reality and virtual reality (VR). While VR places users completely in an artificial environment, AR adds digital content on top of the user’s view of the real world. By blending the physical and digital worlds, AR can bring a unique level of engagement and interaction to user interfaces. For example, Amazon Prime’s AR view displays a 3D rendering of furniture in a person's home, giving users an accurate idea of what a product will look like before they buy.
Working with AR technology is no easy feat, and requires careful design considerations. According to Andrew Wallace, AR product designer, “In designing for AR, you need to be mindful of the physical environment and the user’s experience of that environment. This means allowing people to move and explore freely, while ensuring interfaces are scalable and interactive.”
In addition to optimizing user experience, the design of an AR experience should also reflect the brand and engage users in the product. Justin Cherry, AR designer at Verizon adds that “it’s important to think of ways to surprise and delight users as they interact with an AR experience. This can be done through highlighting an unexpected animation or features, such as changing colors or adding personality.”
Although there are a number of challenges to creating a successful AR experience, the overall takeaway is that it's more than just a gimmick. AR can be used to to create truly innovative user interfaces that can both excite and engage users.
As the world of AR continues to grow, it’s an exciting time for UX and UI designers everywhere. Now that you’ve read about how AR is revolutionizing user experience design, have you considered how it might be used in your own design process?
