AR/VR and UX: 70% of Major Companies Are Integrating Immersive Experiences

AR and VR were always associated with gaming. But in 2025, 70% of major companies have started integrating immersive experiences into their products. This is much bigger than gaming.

The Numbers

70% of Fortune 500 companies have active AR/VR projects
The AR/VR market is projected to reach $400 billion by 2027
61% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that offer AR experiences
Return rates drop 40% when customers use AR before purchasing

Real-World Examples

IKEA Place

The IKEA app lets you see furniture in your home before buying it. Results:

Return rates dropped 35%
Decision-making time reduced 50%
Customer satisfaction increased significantly

Sephora Virtual Try-On

Sephora lets you try on makeup through your camera:

Sales of AR-enabled products increased 2.5x
Users spend more time in the app
The shopping experience became more enjoyable and easier

Apple Vision Pro

Apple entered the market with Vision Pro, which offers:

Spatial computing — the computer surrounds you, not just in front of you
Productivity apps in an immersive environment
Direct 3D design

Google Maps uses AR to display directions overlaid on the real world:

Easier than traditional maps
Reduces getting lost in cities
A more natural experience

UX Challenges in AR/VR

1. Motion Sickness

40% of users experience dizziness in VR. Solving this requires:

High frame rate (90fps minimum)
Reducing sudden movement
Giving the user full control

2. Natural Interaction

People are used to touchscreens. In AR/VR:

How do you "click"?
How do you type?
How do you navigate?

Designers must invent new interaction paradigms.

3. Accessibility

Not everyone can use VR headsets
Vision problems can be affected
Devices are expensive — not accessible to everyone

4. Battery and Performance Limitations

Mobile devices still struggle with advanced AR — high heat, battery drains quickly.

How to Design for AR/VR?

1. Start with the Problem

Don't use AR/VR just because it's trendy. Ask: Is this experience actually better in AR/VR?

2. Comfort First

Short sessions. Easy exit option. Gradual increase in complexity.

3. Use Spatial Cues

In AR/VR, the user needs to know where they are and where to go. Use lighting, sound, and movement.

4. Test Extensively

Usability testing in AR/VR is harder — but more important. Because users are still learning this medium.

Skills of the Future Designer

A designer who wants to work in AR/VR needs:

3D Design — understanding three-dimensional spaces
Spatial UX — designing in 3 dimensions, not 2
Prototyping in AR/VR — tools like Unity and Spark AR
Understanding Physics — objects must behave naturally

Conclusion

AR/VR is not just a trend — it is the future of interaction. Companies that have started integrating immersive experiences are seeing real results. And designers who learn these skills now will be in high demand.