As the metaverse gradually yet relentlessly seeps into our everyday lives, businesses and digital professionals are asking what this change could mean for their future endeavors. And among those posing the question are UX designers. So what will be the state of UX design in the metaverse?
The best we can do is make educated guesses based on research and moves already made in the metaverse field, although they are not as far-reaching as the term “metaverse” caught buzz. In this article, we will explore how a growing virtual world could potentially help immerse users and incentivize them.
The Basic Fibers of a Metaverse
The term “metaverse” is far from getting attached to one proven definition. Whatmore, the term is, so soon after its birth, already on the crumbling edge of becoming a buzzword. Companies and tech CEOs are throwing it around, attaching it to their ambitious pitches and presentations, disguised as definitions.
We’ll provide a broad definition. The important thing for this article is to keep in mind that both a broad and narrow definition wouldn’t change the upcoming trends in UX design we’ll list below.
The Influencer Marketing Hub defines the metaverse as an ever-active and self-contained virtual space that evolves in real-time, full of users that generate content. Notice how they used the phrase “self-contained”. It’s important to keep that in mind, as many visionary (and problematic) tech CEOs try to speak of one supposedly unified metaverse. Such an endeavor is far from being made. Who would create it, and which rules and regulations would it follow? A unified metaverse would be akin to our planet unifying in the real world into a single country – a nearly impossible and unwelcome undertaking.
So instead of talking about “the metaverse”, it’d be more correct to talk about “a metaverse” or simply “metaverses”. Social media platforms, various organizations, and video game companies are, in droves, working on creating their self-contained digital ecosystems. These virtual spaces could radically reshape how users spend time online while interacting with platforms, companies, and organizations.
Now that we got that out of the way, we’ll move on to the trends that could dominate UX design in the metaverse.
How To Approach UX Design In The Metaverse
There are some universal rules to UX design (User Experience design). In the world of business, the goal is to provide users with a great experience while they interact with the online services and products of a company or brand. So, when making money online, it’s more about creating brand experiences than appearances.
Here are some (both new and evergreen) trends set to dominate UX design in the metaverse.
Design Stories
Good design needs good storytelling. We engage with enticing design through compelling stories, whether they be in the form of graphics, video games, products, brands, or services.
As the metaverse gears up, designers will need to visualize stories. That will help insightfully connect the infinite virtual experiences of a metaverse.
With the limitless design options provided by such a space, immersive storytelling – which is already crucial in video games – will undoubtedly be front and center of metaverse design.
Include Observational Design
Before you start weaving far-spanning narratives and user journeys, you should sit back and observe. As functional metaverses are in their infancy, you can learn a lot from following ambitious endeavors from companies, as well as their tweaks along the way. And you should understand how your users may potentially react to a metaverse setting.
Examine your competitors more closely and begin user testing. A solid base for progress is conducting an assessment of your current engagement statistics, audience demographics, and site analytics utilizing programs like Google Analytics.
And as we’ve said, UX designers must be aware of how their target demographic currently engages with the metaverse and grasp how their products and services will function in novel virtual settings.
Focus on Ethical Design
The bad follows the good. While metaverses may enhance positive experiences, think about how bullying could be more visceral than today’s cyberbullying. UX design decisions could be crucial for managing toxicity and limiting hurtful behavior.
Ethical design will be a focus as UX designers begin to create interconnected 3D environments that will allow people to work, buy and hang out securely.
Work On Your 3D Design Skills
One of the most obvious shifts in UX design in the metaverse is the shift towards 3D design. Your user experience designs will be required to be 360 along with intuitiveness. A large chunk of metaverse experiences heavily relies on VR (virtual reality) headsets. Some startups and tech giants already offer users immersive 3D shopping experiences.
So a practical thing to do as a UX designer would be to move from 2D sketching toward 3D modeling software (if you haven’t already).
Final Word
Change is an opportunity, but for now, the best advice is to be proactive and conduct extensive research. Start observing user behaviors outside of brick-and-mortar and the usual digital experiences. As a UX designer, start treating the metaverse as a new channel to add to a brand’s experience. That way, you’ll be much more ready to make the change and innovate when the time comes.