How can you make your AR content engaging?

1 Define your goals

Before you start designing your AR content, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What is the problem you are trying to solve, the message you are trying to convey, or the emotion you are trying to evoke? How do you want your audience to interact with your content, and what actions do you want them to take after the experience? Having a well-defined goal will help you focus your content and measure its impact.

2 Know your audience

Another important factor to consider is your target audience. Who are they, what are their needs, preferences, and expectations, and how do they use AR technology? You need to understand your audience's context, behavior, and motivation, and tailor your content accordingly. For example, if your audience is young and tech-savvy, you can use more advanced features and gamification elements, while if your audience is older and less familiar with AR, you might want to keep it simple and intuitive.

3 Choose the right platform

The platform you choose for your AR content will affect its accessibility, functionality, and quality. There are different types of AR platforms, such as mobile apps, web browsers, wearable devices, and smart glasses. Each platform has its own advantages and limitations, so you need to weigh them carefully and select the one that best suits your goals and audience. For example, mobile apps can reach a wider audience and offer more interactivity, but they require installation and updates, while web browsers can provide instant access and easier sharing, but they might have lower performance and compatibility.

4 Design for the environment

One of the key features of AR is that it adapts to the real environment and enhances it with digital content. Therefore, you need to design your content with the environment in mind, and make sure it is relevant, realistic, and responsive. For example, you can use the device's sensors, such as camera, GPS, and gyroscope, to detect the user's location, orientation, and movement, and adjust your content accordingly. You can also use the environment's cues, such as lighting, colors, and sounds, to create a seamless and immersive experience.

5 Optimize for usability

Usability is essential for any digital product, but especially for AR, which involves a complex interaction between the user, the device, and the environment. You need to ensure that your AR content is easy to use, understand, and enjoy, and that it does not cause any frustration, confusion, or discomfort. For example, you can use clear and consistent instructions, feedback, and navigation, to guide the user through the experience. You can also use appropriate size, contrast, and animation, to make your content visible and engaging. And you can avoid cluttering the screen, draining the battery, or overheating the device, to prevent any technical issues.

6 Test and iterate

Finally, you need to test your AR content and evaluate its effectiveness, usability, and engagement. You can use various methods, such as user testing, analytics, surveys, and reviews, to collect feedback and data from your audience and stakeholders. You can then use this information to identify any problems, gaps, or opportunities, and improve your content accordingly. Testing and iterating your AR content will help you ensure its quality, relevance, and value, and ultimately, its success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?