AR/VR Interface Design

Spatial UI Principles

1. Ergonomic placement: UI at comfortable viewing distance (1-2m in VR)
2. Follow the user: UI can be world-locked or head-locked
3. Depth cues: Use shadows and layering for 3D hierarchy
4. Avoid UI in peripheral vision (hard to read, causes nausea)

VR-Specific

• Field of view: Place primary UI in center 60 degrees
• Text size: Minimum 1 degree of arc (roughly 1.7cm per meter of distance)
• Interaction: Ray casting (point and click), grab, or gaze + dwell
• Motion sickness: Avoid moving the user's viewpoint without their control

AR-Specific

• Anchor to real world: UI elements attached to surfaces or objects
• Contrast: Ensure readability against variable real-world backgrounds
• Occlusion: Handle when real objects block virtual UI
• Lighting: Match virtual element lighting to environment