Comparing Fixed and Variable Arrangement Interfaces in AR Mobile Apps: A User Experience Analysis

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) technology is gradually gaining popularity. In the current AR application development process, technical aspects often receive significant attention. However, there is a relative lack of studies focusing on the design of AR interaction interfaces. Currently, the interactive interfaces of AR applications can be categorized into fixed-arrangement interface layouts and variablearrangement interface layouts. Whether the two types of interface layouts will bring differences in user experience remains to be investigated. This study analyzed the impact of fixed and variable arrangement interface layouts on user experience with AR technology as the background. This study had built a comparative experimental application with the same content but different interface layouts. In the experimental application, participants(n=32) engaged in the same content interaction using fixed and variable arrangement interfaces, and afterward, they completed the UEQ user experience questionnaire. The results showed that fixed-arrangement interface layouts scored higher in terms of perspicuity and efficiency. Variable-arrangement interface layouts scored higher in terms of stimulation and novelty. In conclusion, fixed-arrangement interface layouts perform better in terms of practical quality, while variable-arrangement interface layouts perform better in terms of hedonic quality. Based on the research results, the researchers propose optimization suggestions. Fixed-arrangement interface layouts are more suitable for scenarios that require quick and clear information presentation and interaction, such as subway stations or elevator scan shopping. Variable-arrangement interface layouts are more effective for scenarios that aim to enhance user engagement and entertainment, such as real estate, automobile sales domains and mobile game.