Overview

My Role

In my position as a communications designer, I was the go-to person for bringing the concepts and innovations of UX designers, researchers, and prototypers to life. My toolkit ranged from crafting demo videos and animations that showcased proof of concept, to designing assets for wearable prototypes, and dreaming up user interfaces for AR and VR applications. I also took charge of creating compelling presentations for key stakeholders, among other responsibilities. My role was all about making sure our groundbreaking work was not just seen, but understood and appreciated, by everyone from team members to top decision-makers.

The core challenge is designing for future technologies that are not yet realized, requiring a blend of visionary foresight and practical adaptability. This involves anticipating user needs and tech trends beyond current frameworks, crafting solutions that are innovative yet flexible enough to evolve with emerging technologies and changing user expectations.

Approach

Research and Discovery

In collaboration with UX researchers, I engaged in a dynamic research process, contributing across various stages to ensure comprehensive insights. I engaged in internal user interviews, offering insights as both an interviewer and an interviewee, which enriched our data with diverse perspectives.

For Project Aria, the team introduced Aria glasses to our partners for real-time data collection, speeding up our research process with direct user interaction insights. For other more experimental projects with limited research, we used a iterative approach by creating demos for specific use cases to secure leadership buy-in and further research investment.

This streamlined strategy ensured our research was adaptable and user-focused, leveraging collaboration and innovation to drive design decisions.

Design Process

Leveraging an iterative and innovative approach, I focused on developing engaging designs for emergent AR, VR, and wearable technologies. Thinking outside conventional boundaries, I crafted conceptual design artifacts using tools such as Figma for UI, After Effects for motion graphics, Blender for 3D modeling, and Unity for creating immersive AR and VR experiences. This toolkit enabled me to visualize and prototype interactions outside of our current technological constraints, pushing the envelope of interaction design.

Key Takeaways

Impact and Results

My work significantly contributed to the advancement of key projects, including Project Aria, through stakeholder demos and prototypes that secured further investment and enabled its public launch. I also crafted detailed designs and documentation for haptic interactions, centralizing this knowledge on our internal wiki for cross-team access. These efforts not only accelerated project development but also established new standards for immersive user experiences, showcasing the real-world impact and market readiness of our innovative designs.

Learnings

One of the most valuable lessons from my experience has been learning to embrace ambiguity and innovate within the constraints of limited research and resources. This journey taught me the importance of adaptability and creative problem-solving in design. Facing the challenge of working with emerging technologies, I developed a keen ability to anticipate user needs and imagine future interactions without the benefit of extensive precedent. This process refined my skills in making informed design decisions based on available insights and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with current tools and methodologies.

Conclusion

My tenure with the Meta Reality Labs Research team was an extraordinary journey that not only impacted the team but also profoundly influenced my growth as a designer. Within this innovative environment, I embraced the role of a communications designer, aiding in the visual communication of groundbreaking UX research, prototypes, and concepts for future AR, VR, and wearable technologies. Through collaboration, creativity, and leveraging advanced design tools, I contributed to shaping the vision of human-computer interaction for the next decade.

Learn more about the work happening at Meta Reality Labs here.