Designing for Augmented Reality

The definition of augment is to “make (something) greater by adding to it.” Augmented Reality (AR) is technology that sets out to do just that by adding a layer of data over the physical world. AR can be experienced in several ways, ranging from smartphones to wearable headsets like the HoloLens. AR has a ton of potential when designing meaningful experiences since it allows a user to become fully immersed inside a moment. The user, who traditionally followed along to a narrative or a story, now becomes the lead and controls what they see. Designers now have an entirely new paradigm to design for and need to consider things such as 3D, space and location. This lesson will get you up to date with the language and foundations of AR. It will shine a light on the current landscape and also help you scope designs for your own projects.

1. Talking about Augmented Reality

   This article will teach you about the different types of content you will encounter as well as how to properly define an interaction in AR. The language we use to describe something is extremely important since it is so closely tied to our understanding. If we are unable to clearly articulate our intentions, there is a good chance we might not be clear on what we are hoping to achieve. By being able to properly articulate the intentions of the design, it becomes easier to implement in development, as well as get alignment from stakeholders.

2. Basic Interfaces and Design Patterns

   This article is a collection of basic interface patterns and behaviors that have started to emerge in the market. Some of these patterns include alerts, indicators, as well as guides. This article explores the different interactions that are possible with content in AR and also what to be conscious of in this evolving medium.

3. Color and Text in AR

   AR is essentially layering data over a live camera feed. This means that the designer has no control over what the camera shows. There is no guarantee if the background will be light or dark and so it is important to make sure the designs work in as many scenarios as possible. This article covers existing patterns and suggestions for how to effectively design on an ever-changing background.

4. Hardware and Software for Mobile AR

   Hardware and software specs are easy to overlook when focusing on the design and experience. However, when working in new and emerging tech, general comprehension of how things work can help inspire and even bring innovation to this space.