Spatial Design

Designing experiences within three-dimensional or physical space, including AR and VR.

stellae.design

Emerging

Spatial Design extends interaction design into 3D, encompassing AR, VR, mixed reality, and spatial computing. It involves placing content in physical or virtual 3D environments. It leverages spatial cognition — our ability to remember locations. Key considerations: depth/layering, spatial anchoring, ergonomic placement, and wayfinding.

Why It Matters

Spatial design extends interface principles into three-dimensional environments, encompassing augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality experiences. As headsets and spatial computing platforms mature, designers and developers must think beyond flat screens and consider depth, gaze, gesture, and physical context. Early investment in spatial thinking prepares teams for a paradigm shift in how people interact with digital information.

Real-World Examples

Apple Vision Pro's window placement system

visionOS allows users to position application windows anywhere in their physical space, respecting room boundaries and ergonomic comfort zones. Windows behave like physical objects with subtle shadows that ground them in the environment. This approach translates familiar desktop metaphors into spatial computing without overwhelming users.

IKEA Place AR furniture preview

IKEA's AR feature lets users place true-to-scale 3D models of furniture in their rooms using a phone camera. Spatial anchoring ensures the virtual objects stay in place as users walk around them. This practical application of spatial design helps users make purchasing decisions with genuine spatial context.

Counter-example

A VR menu pinned to the user's face

A virtual reality application attaches its main navigation menu directly to the user's head so it follows their gaze everywhere. This causes motion sickness and makes it impossible to look at anything without the menu obstructing the view. Spatial interfaces should anchor elements to the environment or the user's hand, not their line of sight.

Role-Specific Guidance

Common Mistakes

• A frequent mistake is directly translating flat 2D interfaces into 3D space without rethinking interaction models, resulting in floating rectangles that ignore the advantages of spatial context. Designers also underestimate the importance of ergonomics — placing interactive elements too high, too low, or requiring sustained arm extension leads to physical fatigue. Neglecting performance optimization in spatial environments is especially costly because low frame rates cause nausea rather than mere inconvenience.