Aako XR Case Study
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Summary
Summary
Aako is a startup creative tech company with mission to change how people connect with the world and each other. We create a novel Social Media solution by fusing AR with Geo-Spatial Interaction and a Blockchain-powered reward system. Aako is expanding the platform across both mobile and XR to offer immersive, location-based experiences that integrate seamlessly into users’ daily lives.
Time
Time
Jan 2023 - Aug 2024 | 8 months
Role
Role
Lead UIUX designer
Responsibility
Responsibility
UX research, Sketching, Wireframing, User Analysis, UI Design, Design System, Project Management
Problem
Problem
What if Echo is ALIVE ?
The key to our interaction is Echo, an interactive memory bubble
Transitioning a mobile-first concept to XR platform posed significant challenges. We needed to adapt core features for an entirely new, immersive medium while ensuring the user experience remained intuitive and engaging.
Research / Competitive Analysis
Research / Competitive Analysis
Most apps only CREATES environments rather CONNECTING to them.
Most apps only CREATES environments rather CONNECTING to them.
Most XR platforms today emphasize either creating virtual worlds or exploring them. Apps like VRChat rely heavily on user-generated content, requiring significant time and effort to build immersive environments, often resulting in isolated, one-off experiences. Similarly, mixed reality apps like HoloTour simply replicate the real world without offering interactive depth.
In contrast, AR features on mobile have demonstrated great success with engaging, interactive experiences.
This presents an opportunity to create an XR app that is CONTINUOUS, LOW-MAINTENANCE, and SPARKS MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS between people and their environments.
UX / User Research + User Flow
UX / User Research + User Flow
Continuity from Mobile
Ensure all essential information seamlessly transitions from mobile to XR
Approach:
Mapped essential mobile features to XR, preserving core functionalities.
Prioritized consistent information flow and user experience in a boundaryless environment.
Streamlined navigation by consolidating multiple sections into a single dashboard.
The user flow maintains familiarity by integrating key features under one accessible dashboard. The "Nav Hand" serves as an always-available tool, ensuring users can seamlessly transition between XR and mobile interactions.
similar design structure between mobile and xr design
Create Engaging and Accessible XR Interactions
Introduce engaging, exclusive interactions that leverage XR's unique capabilities
Approach:
Its all about being experimental ~
Developed intuitive gestures and controls
Create unique individual bubble world
Provided alternative interaction methods for different user preferences and skill set.
We implemented several engaging features, including interactive echo iterations, an immersive gallery, and dynamic baskets. Additionally, a guide section was introduced to help users quickly familiarize themselves with the product.
Here I will use Echo Interaction to demonstrate how XR is incorporated.
We redesigned Echo's visuals to enhance interactivity. Comments now beautifully spread around the main Echo bubble. They appear dynamically through six visible slots, with an optional comment list view for structured access.
Immersive Mode, exclusive to XR, allows users to "enter" the Echo bubble, transforming media presentations into immersive experiences. Photos and videos adapt to this format, providing a unique depth beyond mobile capabilities.
Echo supports multiple interaction methods, such as reactions, comments, and media controls. Each function offers both direct (gestures) and indirect (button-based) access.
For example, users can enter Immersive Mode by 1) zooming in on the Echo bubble or 2) selecting the cube icon.
more gestures
UI / Design System
UI / Design System
Adherence to Apple Design Guidelines:
Followed Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) for VisionOS to ensure consistent and intuitive XR experiences.
Optimized UI elements like button placements, gesture recognition, and spatial interactions for compliance.
Color Testing and Environmental Impact:
Tested the color palette across various backgrounds and lighting conditions to ensure visual clarity.
Focused on maintaining strong contrast and readability in diverse real-world environments.
UI / Final Design (selective)
UI / Final Design (selective)
Next Step
Next Step
Support panorama and spatial photo / video
Made individual interactive 3D space to different activity
Ar glasses adaptation
Reflection
Reflection
Keeping Team Members Engaged
Managing a college startup with part-time student contributors required fostering both enthusiasm and productivity. Interactive meetings, regular design critiques, and Figma-based brainstorming sessions kept the team engaged and inspired. This approach made everyone feel heard and motivated, driving collaboration and creativity.Mentoring and Skill Development
With many team members new to XR and 3D technologies, I led lectures to build foundational knowledge and explain our goals. Weekly sessions where members analyzed existing XR products promoted peer learning, evolving into a public program. Unity tutorials reinforced practical skills, helping the team gain confidence in 3D design.Balancing Design and Development Feasibility
My 3D design expertise was crucial for translating concepts into immersive XR experiences. Visualizing complex interactions ensured our ideas were both ambitious and practical. This balance kept the project realistic while delivering an innovative, cohesive final product.
Thank you for reading ~
design file is available upon request
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