Usability study: mixed reality

In late 2017 I conducted a usability study of FaciemAR (Download PDF), a facial recognition application built for the Microsoft HoloLens. As part of my research I reviewed emerging best practices for MR design, and also best practices established for 2D design that will continue to apply to spatial experiences.

I wasn’t able to identify previous usability studies employing the HoloLens, so I modeled my study after the typical process used to assess software created for flat screens. I interviewed, surveyed and observed 6 participants from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. My participants had never used the HoloLens before so I also created a training process meant to make them comfortable with the skills they’d need to use the facial recognition application through the HoloLens.

My results show that there is a significant learning curve to using the HoloLens, even for the 18-22 year old college students who participated. Participants struggled with the air-tap gesture and hologram management in particular. This study should provide a good starting point for understanding how to train people unfamiliar with the HoloLens to use the device confidently.

After assessing FaciemAR I found a number of opportunities for improvement, which are documented in the Findings section.

This study was a 3 month project completed as part of my M.A. in Technology and Communication from UNC, Chapel Hill, completed in November of 2017.