Product Redesign
My Role
Product Designer
Project Duration
Feb 2024 / 2 weeks
The Product
Vision Pro is the first step towards mixed reality. WhatsApp should be at the forefront of testing new experiences to stay ahead of the curve.
As a curious designer, I had to explore Apple Vision Pro. Excited to learn and exercise, I decided to scale WhatsApp to the visionOS platform. Currently, we are seeing the future of human-computer interaction, and in this fast-paced world, the early adoption of emerging technologies can offer numerous benefits for companies.
I challenged myself to stay up-to-date with this new technology and studied Apple’s design principles carefully so that I could integrate WhatsApp to this new platform seamlessly. Through ideation rounds, I developed mockups and prototypes. To iterate on my design, I conducted user tests.
The Opportunity
WhatsApp has a unique opportunity. Early adoption of new technologies provides brands a competitive edge and sets them up as innovators which enhances brand image. Cases of apps that integrated with Apple Vision Pro show potential for market growth and enhanced user satisfaction.
Outcome
I integrated WhatsApp’s product with Apple Vision Pro. The design allows WhatsApp to tap into a market faster than its competitors, gaining new customers and advantage. By embracing the platform, the brand can redefine its relationship with users, offering not just products, but truly memorable experiences.
Projected Benefits
New technology presents exciting opportunities.
For End-Users
With WhatsApp on Vision Pro, users can enjoy a seamless and immersive messaging experience while connecting with others in a more engaging way. Refined UX and innovative features lead to satisfaction.
For Business
Adoption expands the user base, tapping into a niche market of high-end device users, and unlocks monetization opportunities, while setting the app apart from competitors, showcasing innovation, thus contributing to revenue growth and market differentiation.
Approaching the Opportunity: Fit to Apple’s Design Principles
Learning how to design spatial experiences in a new age of digital interaction.
While I aimed to understand the benefits that the adoption can bring to both end-users and the business, I also had to study a new ecosystem: Apple’s Spatial Computing, set to revolutionize the market. Analyzing the design principles of visionOS helped me to adapt WhatsApp to Apple’s environment.
Familiar: I aimed to keep the usability of the chat interface similar to WhatsApp on other devices for a familiar user experience.
Authentic: Taking advantage of Vision Pro’s unique features, I identified key spatial opportunities: video chat and immersive photo viewing experiences.
Design Solution
Identified and designed spatial experiences to bring WhatsApp to Apple Vision Pro.
After thoroughly examining the design principles of both visionOS and WhatsApp, I took a pen and paper and began sketching my ideas. As I progressed to Figma, I consistently sought feedback from my fellow designers. In the end, I created a design that emphasizes immersive spatial experiences, specifically video calls and photo-viewing.
01
Early Design Sketches
Sketching a spatial experience was an interesting learning curve as I’m used to designing within device screens. When brainstorming my concepts, I also had to brainstorm how to present them concisely.
02
Iteration
Throughout the design process, I kept revisiting the brainstorming phase to identify immersive spatial experiences. Initially, I focused on video calls but I felt more features were needed that could take advantage of Vision Pro's capabilities. One area that presents a great opportunity is shared photos. By leveraging the unique features of Vision Pro, WhatsApp can offer its users an exceptional immersive experience when viewing photos. This will help WhatsApp stay ahead of its competitors.
Users can open and view photos from the chat even during (video) calls.
WhatsApp is used for connecting with others. The ability to experience shared photos in one’s space enhances connection and boosts user satisfaction.
Users can have immersive experiences while sharing moments with others through WhatsApp. Expanding an image and experiencing a shared moment in the user’s space increases engagement and user commitment.
03
The Final Design
I was on a mission to dream up spatial experiences for WhatsApp users. At the end, I focused on crafting video call interfaces and photo-viewing experiences aligned with visionOS while maintaining the WhatsApp branding.
Spatial Communication
WhatsApp's interface is seamlessly integrated into the environment, making it feel like everyone is in the same room during video calls. The panel is positioned at the center of the user's field of vision.
Fully Immersive Experiences - Shared Photos
Users can immerse themselves in a new world by opening shared photos and replacing their surroundings with content. They can adjust the passthrough using the Digital Crown for a clear view of their surrounding spaces.
Integrated Into Everyday Life With Vision Pro
I placed notifications along a natural line of users' sight, seamlessly integrated with other content and various user situations. I aimed to encourage comfortable interaction and minimal movement.
Evaluation & Reflections
Committed to constantly improving my skills to deliver value for users and stakeholders alike.
Challenges Faced
Vision Pro is a new technology. Initially, I found the technical requirements and design principles overwhelming. However, I sought advice from fellow designers and read articles on best practices. Help from the community can be a really powerful thing.
Learning Outcomes
I learned how to implement design decisions in line with an existing brand within a company's design system. I improved my understanding of design systems and how to effectively use them in projects.
Moving Forward
Leveraging the innovative features of Vision Pro can empower WhatsApp to deliver exceptional value to users, fostering loyalty and generating organic marketing. Using valuable data and insights from user interactions, next, I'd explore innovation and product enhancement: additional spatial experiences.
Roche
Achieved over 140% growth in new users and over 3 million page views by revamping 70 websites for Roche.
Design Ideas
Discover how I tackle design challenges through exercises and generating design ideas, aimed at refining my skills.
Budapest Museum of Arts
Museum mobile app that improves ticket booking and introduces immersive visitor experiences.
