How do you design mobile UI for emerging technologies like AR, VR, and AI?

1 Understand the context and the user

The first step in designing mobile UI for emerging technologies is to understand the context and the user. What is the purpose and the value proposition of the technology? How does it fit into the user's goals, needs, and preferences? How does it affect the user's behavior, emotions, and expectations? You need to conduct user research, define user personas, and map user journeys to answer these questions and create a user-centered design.

2 Choose the right interaction model

The next step is to choose the right interaction model for the technology. How will the user interact with the technology and the content? What input and output methods will be used? What feedback and guidance will be provided? You need to consider the affordances and limitations of the technology, as well as the user's comfort and convenience. For example, for AR and VR, you may use gestures, voice, or gaze as input methods, and provide spatial, auditory, or haptic feedback. For AI, you may use natural language, chatbots, or smart assistants as input and output methods, and provide conversational, contextual, or predictive feedback.

3 Design for accessibility and inclusivity

Another important step is to design for accessibility and inclusivity . How will the technology be accessible and inclusive for different users, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or preferences? How will you ensure that the technology is respectful, ethical, and fair? You need to follow accessibility guidelines, test with diverse users, and apply inclusive design principles to ensure that your mobile UI design is accessible and inclusive. For example, for AR and VR, you may provide alternative modes of interaction, adjust the level of immersion, and avoid motion sickness. For AI, you may provide transparency, control, and choice, avoid bias and discrimination, and respect privacy and security.

4 Optimize for performance and usability

The final step is to optimize for performance and usability. How will the technology perform smoothly and reliably on different mobile devices and platforms? How will you ensure that the technology is easy to use, learn, and remember? You need to follow best practices, use standard tools and frameworks, and test and iterate your mobile UI design to optimize for performance and usability. For example, for AR and VR, you may use low-poly models, optimize lighting and textures, and follow UI design guidelines for immersive environments. For AI, you may use appropriate algorithms, data sources, and models, and follow UI design guidelines for intelligent systems.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?