Chapter 7 of “Designing Immersive 3D Experiences” focuses on”The UI of XR,” and the importance of making XR interactions understandable and easy to use. Virtual objects can use “microinteractions,” like a buzz, turn arrow, or moving volume control, to show that the user has affected it, and have them move similar to their real-life counterparts. “Visual Metaphors,” like a magnifying glass for a search function, or an envelope for email, make it easy for viewers to know what apps do with just a glance. While not all XR programs can fully emulate reality, designers can use these metaphors and movements to clue the user in on how the virtual world works. 

The exercise this time involves designing on/off switches for 20 different words, using visual metaphors to show what word you are trying to portray. I used Random Word Generator.com to pick these 20 words at random: 

Loyalty

Authorize

Screw

Burial

Translate

Valley 

Settlement

Chair

Trust

Curriculum

Waste

Row

Admit

Fill

Consensus

Eye

Turn

Free

Bless

Loyalty

Assume

I made 20 designs for these words, which are presented in the gallery below. Some of these words were easier to depict than others, and I had trouble deciding which images would make the meaning clear. For example, “Bless” shows a person visiting a friend who has just lost a loved one. While “Bless” is often used in a religious context, I wanted to show that just providing support to someone going through a hard time “blesses” others with your compassion and care. As we enter the holidays and the end of 2023, I will strive to use my designs and multimedia skills to make the world a better place. Happy New Year all, and I’ll see you in 2024!

Sources:

Stevens, Renee. Designing Immersive 3D Experiences. Pearson Education Inc., 2022.