Google’s Vision for Android XR: Designing Transparent Displays for the Future
In the rapidly evolving landscape of augmented reality (AR), Google’s Android XR platform is pioneering the development of transparent display technology. A recent article from Google Design titled Designing for Transparent Screens delves into the intricacies of Jetpack Compose Glimmer, the design system tailored for Android XR’s Display AI Glasses.
Understanding Transparent Displays
Unlike traditional screens, the interface on transparent displays isn’t projected directly onto the lens surface. Instead, it’s perceived at a depth of approximately one meter from the user. To visualize this, extend your arm and focus on your fingers; the background blurs, simulating the focal experience of these displays. This design choice necessitates users to consciously shift their focus from the real world to the interface, making engagement an active decision.
Motion and Notifications
Motion design on transparent displays requires subtlety to avoid distraction. Google’s research indicates that standard motion transitions of around 500 milliseconds can appear abrupt. To address this, Android XR employs a two-second transition for incoming notifications, where a circular icon gradually expands into a pill shape, ensuring a smooth and non-intrusive user experience.
Typography and Readability
Given the unique viewing distance, text readability is paramount. Android XR utilizes the Google Sans Flex font with an optical size axis to enhance legibility. Features include larger counters in letters like ‘a’ and ‘e’ and increased spacing in characters such as ‘j’ and ‘i’. Bold typography and expanded letter spacing further improve clarity. Text size is measured in visual angles (degrees) rather than traditional units, accommodating the varying perceived sizes based on distance.
Color and Contrast Challenges
Transparent displays operate on an additive light model, meaning they can only add light and cannot produce black, which appears fully transparent. This characteristic posed challenges when adapting existing Material Design components, which rely on opaque surfaces and subtle shadows. On additive displays, these elements transformed into large, bright blocks of light, necessitating a reevaluation of design principles to maintain visual harmony.
Conclusion
Google’s exploration into transparent display technology for Android XR underscores the complexities of designing immersive and user-friendly AR experiences. By addressing challenges in focus, motion, typography, and color representation, Google is laying the groundwork for the next generation of augmented reality interfaces.
