Apr 7, 2021
Hello people, Here is a small initiative for giving a better experience to the users which we are going to design for.
As a UX designer, We will go through the process, principles to follow, requirements of clients, iterations as per feedback, etc.
But somewhere around we (designers and developers) are mostly focusing on impressing the client to approve the design. For this, we use our strategy to make them confuse and give approvals on the given design.
But at the end of the day, the user is going to experience the application. I think we are missing this point while revolving in between the client and the manager.
Here are the few elements to focus on while designing for virtual reality.
Here you go!
How can we give a better User Experience for Virtual Reality?
Firstly, What is Virtual reality?
It’s a three-dimensional, computer-generated environment that can be explored and interacted with by a person...blah blah blah!
Too much technical stuff right… 🧐
VR is will takes the user to another world, which gives an immersive experience. The user becomes part of this virtual world or is immersed within this environment and whilst there, can manipulate objects or perform a series of actions.
VR explained in detail
· Virtual Reality’s most immediately recognizable component is the head-mounted display (HMD).
· Human beings are visual creatures, and display technology is often the single biggest difference between immersive Virtual Reality systems and traditional user interfaces.
· Major players in Virtual Reality include HTC Vive and Oculus Rift etc.
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Responsibilities of a UX designer in Virtual Reality
The process of UX (the designer's job simplified)
Gather requirements from Client > Define the User segments > Create Persona > Prepare questionnaire > Perform User interviews > User/ Task flows > Customer journey mapping > Information architecture > Story board > Wireframes > User interface design > Assets creation.
This is the structure of the UX process while designing for Virtual reality.
For a better experience, the Designer needs to focus on 6 major elements.
- Honest
- Inclusive from start to finish
- Physically and digitally safe
- Protective of the user’s wellness
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Consistency
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1. Honest
It allows the user freedom of choice, safety, exit, identity, and privacy without coercion or deception.
Example: Provide friendly navigation throughout the application. Don’t restrict the user to choose only one option to proceed further. Provide one or more options to proceed to the next step.
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2. Inclusive from start to finish
Designed and developed with a diverse design team. Tested against a diverse user base so that it is understandable and accommodating to everyone.
Example: Design and Develop the application in an immersive manner. Test the application of various methods to address and fix the issues. So that the end application is useful for everyone.
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3. Physically and digitally safe
It is designed to protect the user from damaging themselves, others, or their surroundings (and vice-versa) both in augmented reality and virtual reality
Example: While experiencing the immersive world. Users should be able to place in a clean and safe environment to get not hurt anyone or themselves. Usually, this will happen when the user is performing an interaction/ Walking instead of teleporting/ Body postures, etc.
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4. Protective of the user’s wellness
It helps the users stay aware and recover from issues related to appetite, sleep, blood pressure, errors, and/or attitudes within VR. It helps the user enter, experience, and exit virtual reality comfortably and mindfully.
Example:
- Before going to experience the application, Brief the user about what is he going to experience and in which manner. So that they can get mentally and physically ready for it.
- Don’t make them feel panic while in an immersive world. You can control this by providing a peaceful and real-world environment.
- Don’t move the user’s position suddenly, if the user needs to move/ Jump provide an indicator before the action starts.
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5. Aesthetically pleasing
It provides a world that is enjoyable to see, lives in, and interact with while eliminating dangerous or extraneous features or entities that might negatively impact the user experience.
Example:
- Don’t give any surprises in the middle of the experience. That can affect the user’s mood and thoughts.
- Make the user comfortable with the color you use. Don’t make their eyes stressed out while watching those.
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6. Consistency
Makes use of conventions and standards in the industry or real-world that users might already be used to. It provides consistent interactions and natural mapping to minimize user confusion.
Example:
- Give a consistent, aesthetic user interface throughout the application so that the user can easily relate to it.
- Provide friendly interaction as they daily experience.
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These are the main 6 elements to provide a better experience to the user throughout the application.
Thank you so much for your time. I hope this will help you with further design.
Cheers! ✌🏻😁
