UX Design
UX Research
Mixed Reality(MR)
Accessibility
Reducing cognitive overload in libraries for users
with focus and memory challenges using mixed reality
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Public libraries can be overwhelming for users with memory, focus, or decision-making challenges. This mixed reality concept designed for Apple Vision Pro helps users navigate and explore books more confidently and independently. By offering personalized, non-intrusive guidance, the system reduces cognitive load and transforms traditional library spaces into supportive, user-centered environments.
Conceptual experience designed for Apple Vision Pro, created independently as part of an advanced HCI course.
My Role
UX Designer
Duration
2 months (2025)
Tools
After Effects
Figma
Skills
Inclusive Design
User Interviews
(Guerrilla Interviews)
Journey Mapping
Concept Ideation
Affinity Mapping
Team
collaborative research & ideation
1 UX Designer
1 UI Designer
The Problem
Library systems prioritize search over exploration leaving users with cognitive impairments struggling to navigate or engage confidently
🙂 Without Cognitive Impairment
Can easily navigate signage, shelves, and catalog systems
Comfortable asking staff for help when needed
Able to focus and remember where books are located
😔 With Cognitive Impairment
Disoriented by complex layouts and dense shelf arrangements
Struggle with memory, decision-making, and visual overload
Hesitate to ask for help due to confusion or social discomfort
Framing the Challenge
“
How might we support people with cognitive impairment in discovering new books without overwhelming their memory or attention?
”
Our research aimed to uncover inclusive design strategies that enable these users
to independently explore and find books of interest.
Research
Library systems create hidden barriers by relying on layouts, tools, and signage that fail users with cognitive strain
(01)
Secondary Research
(02)
Field Research at Carnegie Library
(03)
Synthesized Insights
(04)
Why This Research Matters
✨ These research insights directly shaped our solution. Every feature was designed to reduce the cognitive cost of being curious.
Library browsing is more cognitively demanding than it appears. Our research showed that users must:
-> Compare unfamiliar books quickly
-> Hold preferences and options in working memory
-> Navigate abstract signage and dense visual environments
-> Make decisions without support or feedback
This invisible strain helped us define our goal. We weren’t just building an easier search tool. We were designing a system that reduces friction, supports independent decision-making, and preserves the joy of wandering.
Design Execution
Flow Designed Around Mental Load:
From Entry to Bookshelf with Fewer Decisions
Design Execution: Wireframe
Interfaces That Think for You: Visual Cues, Simple Actions, No Overload
Final solution
Reducing Friction with Clean, Low-Effort Interfaces
Feature 01
One-at-a-Time Recommendations to Ease Decision Fatigue
Design rationale
One Book at a Time
Prevents overwhelm and supports easier decision-making.
Real-Time Behavior
Uses pick-up/put-down actions to tailor recommendations.
Feature 02
Fast, Tag-Based Context
& Social Proof for Quicker Decisions
Design rationale
Tags offer quick content preview
Helps users quickly understand book themes without needing extra search.
Ratings reduce guesswork
Goodreads scores offer a fast signal for interest and quality.
Feature 03
Personalized AI Summaries for Efficient Content Scanning
Design rationale
Smart Summary
AI delivers a bite-sized overview tailored to the user’s history—no external search needed.
Cognitive Ease
Short, scannable content supports quicker and more confident decisions.
Feature 04
Visual Browsing History to Support Recall Without Repetition
Design rationale
Memory Support
Helps users recall which books they explored during the session.
Book Trail
Automatically logs picked-up books to reduce mental load.
Beyond Features
Designing for Future Use
Edge Cases and Adaptability
Staff Integration
Beyond the Library
Ethical Considerations
Real-Time Sharing
Users may not always engage with the first recommendation they see.
That’s intentional.
With a simple swipe, they can dismiss a book and receive another suggestion based on updated preferences. Disinterest becomes valuable input.
The system learns passively through interaction, without interrupting the browsing experience.
Technology Decision
Leveraging Vision Pro to Simplify Interaction Through Real-World Anchors
We selected Vision Pro for its:
No Context Switching
Keeps all relevant information in one view, helping users stay focused and avoid cognitive overload.
Real-World Integration
Overlays digital content onto physical space, reducing the mental strain of abstract mapping.
Simple, Natural Gestures
Users interact using familiar motions like tapping and swiping—no controllers or complex training needed.
Spatial Awareness
Displays are anchored in space, letting users maintain orientation and navigate the library naturally.
Users only wear the headset briefly—when actively exploring books.
Project Reflection
How We Supported Independent Exploration Without Disruption
This approach helped us design a system that quietly supported decision-making while preserving the joy of discovery.
Working closely with librarians and accessibility specialists, I stripped the experience to its essentials. We learned that discovery, unlike search, is emotional and non-linear. Designing for it means reducing cognitive friction while still leaving room for curiosity and exploration.
Empowering self-directed discovery
Rather than steering users toward a “right” book, subtle visual cues encourage wandering, comparison, and personal choice—supporting independence, not dependence.
“Less-but-better” as an accessibility rule, not a style
Showing only one highlighted book, three genre chips, and a concise AI summary minimized decision fatigue without oversimplifying content.
Tiny gestures, huge impact
Restricting the interaction set to a single pinch → select and swipe → dismiss kept the learning curve low while preserving the “wow” of spatial computing.
My amazing team, brought together by creativity and collaboration.
Other Projects
Other experiences I’ve designed.
