A heuristic-guided method proposal for early ideation phases: designing for Extended Reality Experiences

Abstract: Over the past decade, the fast rise and adoption of emerging technologies has shown to be fruitful ground for user-centered experiences. However, despite the technological advancements, the design processes applied to such experiences are marked by challenges, especially in the initial development phases, where they are not widely adopted and whose usage scenarios are not yet consolidated, creating a need for metrics and values for design decisions. This work discloses a design process for creation and early evaluation of features and applications adapted for emerging technologies, as the context of the initiative stood for the use of Agentic AI and wearable devices. The process, entitled Heuristics Evaluation Method for Conceptual Scenarios (HEMCS), ought to be run by a design team and consists of 4 stages: 1) Immersion 2) Diverging 3) Converging and 4) Evaluation. Prior to the application of HEMCS, a series of semi-structured interviews was realized with 12 participants who considered themselves to have productivity issues in their work and/or study environment. Once the main insights from the interview were mapped by the design team, HEMCS could then be applied. The method also required the participation of a multidisciplinary and diverse group of people for the Diverging stage, and a group of UX specialists for the Evaluation stage, applying the Turatti Scale. Both groups composed by people who were not part of the design team, and integrated to the process early, in the Immersion stage, facilitating the sessions. The final report suggested not only potential improvement opportunities, but also more assertive insights about the solutions proposed. The results demonstrate that HEMCS may be used as an efficient evaluator of both technological potential and good user experience in early ideation phases, while adapted for emerging technologies, with significant im-plications for the advancement of user- centered design.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Heuristic Evaluation, Design Workflow, Design Methodology, Creative Process, Wearable Devices, Extended Reality

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006866

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