Why spatial UX is not a distant future
VisionOS introduces a new interaction paradigm: 3D interfaces, depth-based UI placement, eye tracking, and hand gestures. While it sounds futuristic, Apple provides robust SDKs, guidelines, and best practices that make it accessible to today’s design and development teams.
Building for Vision Pro is not about dreaming—it's about adapting.
Scenario 1: Spatial dashboards for productivity
Use case: Project management, financial tracking, or engineering overviews
Why it works: The ability to anchor multiple panels in physical space turns information-dense workflows into a calm, high-context experience.
UX advantages:
Users can spatially organize tasks or KPIs across a room
Reduce cognitive load by separating focus zones
Voice commands and gaze help reduce interaction friction
Tools: SwiftUI for visionOS, RealityKit, UIKit compatibility layer
Scenario 2: Guided meditation and mental wellness
Use case: Calm, Headspace-style apps or immersive breathing coaches
Why it works: Vision Pro isolates the user from distractions, offering a unique opportunity for immersive, mindful sessions.
UX advantages:
Atmospheric environments that enhance relaxation
Spatial audio that guides attention naturally
Visual biofeedback (e.g. breath-linked animations)
Design tips: Use slow movement, dim palettes, and non-intrusive soundscapes
Scenario 3: Learning through exploration
Use case: Anatomy learning, travel experiences, 3D product education
Why it works: Users retain more when they interact with content through spatial navigation or manipulation.
UX advantages:
Depth-based storytelling: walk around a human organ or machine
Highlighting and step-by-step interaction with components
Gamified learning through discovery
Tools: Unity + RealityKit, Scene understanding APIs
Spatial UX principles to apply now
Anchoring – Let users place windows where they want them
Multimodal input – Combine eye, hand, and voice interactions
Context over chrome – Reduce UI clutter; use the space itself
Onboarding in 3D – Teach users spatial interaction, not just feature flow
Summary
Vision Pro isn’t waiting for the metaverse hype to catch up—it's a viable platform today for startups, educators, wellness apps, and productivity tools. The secret? Focus on real-world friction and use spatial UX to remove it—not to impress, but to serve.
