Everyone including tech giants like Google Microsoft and Apple is exploring Augmented Reality.
From children’s books to 3D modeling are carrying out experiments with Augmented Reality. Augmented reality superimposes computer-generated enhancements over the top of reality, in real time. These images take shape as 3D models, videos, and information.Augmented Reality has been a huge part of Sci-Fi in the past. But the advent of modern technology is making it a reality for us now. The buzz around it has been going on for quite a while. More research is going on as hardware and software become more accessible. Augmented reality is an immersive experience. Hence it demands attention when you create environments people will interact with. You will need to design an experience that is easy to communicate and immersive. The main goal is to create a virtual world from which people will take something and keep coming back to it.
Several factors influence how users interact with the objects, media, and UI. Consider the hardware your users use to engage before you start planning your design strategy. People interact differently with different devices. The goal of your environment can predict how a user will interact with your environment. Consider Snapchat, Pokemon Go and furniture staging each demand a different goal. The design compliments the goal and makes it easier for the users to reach there. Think about how people will hold their devices while using your app. Place most accessed UI elements in comfortable-to-reach areas. Placing important elements in the center of the interface. Cues are clues that inform the User about interactive UI Elements and how to interact with them.Virtual and mixed reality is the future of computing. Let’s get to know some of them.
1. Visual and audio Cues
Use on-screen UI to encourage looking around and show off-screen elements. Add hover to buttons and highlight usable elements for prompting your user to explore. Place guidelines for user tracking. While designing a Snapchat or Animoji-style application. Making the user perform facial gestures for special effect improves UX.
Sounds will help the User notice off-screen objects and provoke them to explore the full 360 space. People interact with flat screens all the time, so you need to encourage your User to look around the full environment. Your work will remain unnoticed if you don’t do this.
2. Text and Color
Color Theory is scientific. It works the same in AR as in print, mobile, web, and the rest of your life. Contrasting colors on the color wheel have a differentiating effect when used next to each other. But be careful, don’t make people cry!
Making smart font choices and make the text easy to read by making it large and visible. San Serifs are easier to read depending on your context. No one wants to read a novel so keep text to only as much as necessary.
3. Lighting and Shadows
Lighting can decide if your users will immerse or get bored. A shadow adds depth and brings your objects in 3D to life. Position lights to create shadows that complement your content.
Industries like architecture, children’s books, education, film, gaming, medical, military and even the grad students are experimenting and using AR. The future is AR and all our efforts to contribute to this piece of magnificent technology should incline together to create better products.