Immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are pushing the boundaries of user experience, making our designs more interactive, contextual, and ultimately more human. As these technologies mature, they are finding their place not only in gaming, but also in industries such as healthcare, education, and retail – creating new opportunities for UX/UI designers to redefine how users engage with digital content.
But what do these immersive shifts mean for design practice? How do we create experiences that are intuitive in a whole new dimension? Let’s dive into the implications, insights, and opportunities that AR/VR brings to UX/UI design.
The Evolution of Immersive Technologies in Design
The rise of immersive technologies signals a fundamental shift from traditional 2D interfaces to dynamic, spatial environments.
Extended Reality (XR) – which includes AR, VR, and MR – invites users to immerse themselves in experiences that blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Unlike working with flat screens, designing for XR means thinking about depth, perspective, and spatial awareness. It’s not just about how something looks, but how it feels to interact with it in an embodied way.
Take devices like the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest. These headsets ultimately redefine user expectations of engagement through the new way of seeing they offer. For UX/UI designers, this means creating interfaces that seamlessly integrate into the physical space, respecting the natural way users move and perceive the world.
New Dimensions in UX/UI Design
In immersive environments, designing for 3D space requires a different mindset than traditional 2D screens. Traditional UI elements must be reimagined to adapt to a spatial context. Here are some key takeaways for effectively designing for these new dimensions:
Floating windows and volumes
In a spatial interface, “floating windows” can act like 2D screens in a 3D world, while “volumes” provide a more dynamic way to present 3D content. These layered components allow us to create an experience where information feels anchored in space rather than cluttered on a flat display. Imagine floating notifications that remain comfortably in the user’s peripheral vision until they choose to focus on them – maintaining immersion without overwhelming the user.
Field of view
When designing for AR/VR, you will need to understand the user’s field view. In a VR headset, for example, users naturally have a limited field of view (typically about 60° without neck movement). Therefore, placing interactive elements strategically – so that they are within reach without physically straining the user – enhances comfort. This is a practical departure from 2D screens, where everything can be centralized for easy access. Here, it’s about being selective and spatially aware to maintain a user-centric approach.
Levels of immersion
Designing immersive experiences also means deciding on the level of engagement that best suits the experience:
- Passthrough mode is valuable when blending the real world with digital elements. Think of IKEA’s AR app, which lets users place virtual furniture in their real living room.
- Fully immersive mode is ideal when a user wants to completely escape reality, such as in educational simulations or VR games.
- Progressive Immersion offers flexibility, allowing users to control the level of their experience, which can be particularly useful in environments where a balance of context and engagement is required.
Challenges and Opportunities
Practical challenges for designers
AR/VR presents technical challenges that force us to rethink the fundamentals of our design processes:
Interaction models: In immersive spaces, interaction takes on a different form. Gesture-based controls are a core part of VR, but they require careful calibration to avoid overwhelming users. A simple “pinch to select” may feel natural if done sporadically, but can cause muscle fatigue if overused. Designers need to consider the ergonomics of these interactions – making sure users aren’t forced into constant movement or awkward gestures.
Anchor points and scale: Unlike 2D screens, where we are used to placing elements in defined corners or grid layouts, AR/VR environments lack such conventional anchor points. Floating elements, content scaling, and spatial orientation must all be approached with the goal of enhancing natural movement and avoiding cognitive overload.
Opportunities for innovation
Immersive technologies offer a wealth of opportunities for designers to be truly innovative:
Spatial Storytelling: Immersive environments allow users to explore virtual spaces where each element responds with relevant, contextual information that the user can choose to engage with. This selective interaction fosters a sense of personal agency, giving users control over their journey through the experience—something often limited in traditional, static designs.
Emotional Connection: When users engage with 3D environments, the interaction feels more tangible, which can deepen their emotional connection to the experience. For instance, advanced haptic feedback in VR, which simulates the feeling of textures and surfaces, creates a more visceral experience. This physical sensation enhances immersion, often leading to stronger emotional responses and a greater sense of realism compared to non-haptic interactions.
Tools and Techniques for Tomorrow’s UX/UI Designers
Designing for immersive environments requires a different set of tools and workflows. Here are some that are particularly useful for tackling the complexities of AR/VR.
Figma UI Kits and Plugins
Figma offers a variety of resources for AR/VR design, including the visionOS UI Kit, Spatial UI Kit, and visionOS Templates. These kits provide out-of-the-box components to help designers build interfaces tailored for AR/VR. In addition, plugins such as Layerbeam integrate with Figma to enable basic AR/VR prototyping, allowing designers to experiment with spatial elements directly within their familiar workspace.
Collaborative Spatial Design Tools
ShapesXR and Bezi are tools that support the creation and prototyping of immersive experiences, and both sync seamlessly with Figma. ShapesXR is particularly useful for live design in mixed reality environments, supporting collaborative work to iterate on immersive prototypes. Bezi, on the other hand, is a 3D collaboration platform that enables design teams to create spatial interfaces and games, providing real-time collaboration capabilities while maintaining workflow integration with Figma.
Accessibility Considerations
Accessibility continues to be a critical element of AR/VR design. Features such as dwell control and pointer control allow users with limited eye or hand mobility to navigate experiences without physical interaction, ensuring that immersive technologies are inclusive from the start.
The Future of UX/UI Design in an Immersive World
While it’s impossible to predict every development, immersive design seems poised to play an influential role in the future of UX/UI. With devices becoming lighter, more affordable, and more accessible, AR and VR technology will likely become more integrated into daily life. This growth presents a great opportunity for UX/UI designers to experiment, expand their skills, and consider how spatial design principles can complement their existing expertise.
Whether you’re already experimenting with AR/VR or simply observing from the sidelines, the role of immersive technologies in UX/UI is an exciting frontier worth exploring.
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