Designing for Social Presence in AR/MR: Dimensions, Patterns, and Research Directions

The rise of virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) has expanded the design space for social extended reality (XR) systems. However, creating realistic social XR experiences with high social presence remains challenging. Based on a screening of 3,414 studies and thematic analysis of 250 papers published between 2015 and 2021, followed by a validation of the resulting design space through the categorization of 258 studies published between 2022 and 2026, we identify (1) seven common social interaction patterns in AR/MR, (2) thirteen design dimensions for supporting all levels of social presence while developing social AR/MR solutions, (3) future research opportunities, and (4) a practitioner guide that translates the extracted design dimensions into actionable design considerations. Through our work, researchers, developers, and designers can develop realistic, engaging social AR/MR solutions that foster social connection and bring minds closer together.