Hi, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well.
Recently, Apple held its annual conference, WWDC 2023, where they unveiled a plethora of new products. However, what really caught our attention (or at least, the majority of us) was their Vision Pro AR headset, which looks sleek and attractive, boasting numerous intriguing features (except for its price 😅).
I won’t delve into the specifics of the headset itself. As stated in a Digital Trends article,
“It looks slim, shiny, and decidedly Apple. It’s as if an iPhone were stretched and curved to wrap around the eyes, with glinting edges and a glossy glass face.”
What piques my interest more is their operating system, VisionOS, specifically, his apps design aspect. How can we design apps for this type of operating system and navigate the challenges of interface design and user experience?
Fortunately, Apple has provided resources to assist us in this learning process:
1 — Principles:
Create comfortable, human-centered experiences based on the principles of Dimensional, Immersive, and Authentic design.
Principles of spatial design — WWDC23.
2 — Spatial Input:
Design interactions for eyes and hands.
Design for spatial input — WWDC23.
3 — Spatial User Interfaces:
Design interfaces for spatial computing apps. Explore Icons, Materials, Typography, Vibrancy, Layout, and the transition from screen to spatial.
Design for spatial user interfaces — WWDC23.
I’ve been exploring these resources, and so far, I’m very excited about spatial UI design. What I love the most at the moment are:
- The absence of space constraints compared to mobile UI design, allows us more room for creativity.
- The combination of Glassmorphism with reality, results in stunning aesthetics.
- The ability to leverage a 3D environment, enabling captivating animations and effects.
- The opportunity to broaden our creative outlook by exploring disciplines like architecture and interior design.
- The window shadow effect, applied to real-world objects, enhancing the interface’s integration with the physical world.
- Layered icons are providing users with a more engaging and responsive experience.
VisionOS boasts a multitude of UI and UX features that make it truly exceptional, adding significant value to the design field.
With that said, let me share my opinion on the initial question: Will Spatial UI Design be the future of UI/UX design?
In my view, the answer is a resounding yes. Having a headset with floating windows in our daily living space and unlimited space to work, whether in the office or at home, can offer tremendous value (just consider the usefulness of Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, for example). Furthermore, as technology advances, we may even see VisionOS (or similar operating systems) integrated into glasses, unlocking even more possibilities for our daily lives.
I’m thrilled to eventually try VisionOS (though it may take a year or two since I can’t currently afford a $3,500 headset, even if it’s tempting 😅). For now, I’m learning the foundations of spatial UI, hoping that we’ll witness the emergence (or improvement) of more affordable VR headsets featuring a similarly beautiful and feature-rich OS.
Thank you for reading! Please leave your opinions and comments below, and let’s engage in a discussion or share resources. Feel free to follow me and share this post with your friends if you found it enjoyable. Have a fantastic day!
