Bringing Minecraft to Life in Mixed Reality
Role: Lead UX Designer | Company: Microsoft | Timeline: 3 Months | Team: 30 Multidisciplinary Group
Problem
Microsoft needed a launch demo for HoloLens that would prove the promise of mixed reality gaming on a global stage and convince both executives and the public that holograms could deliver compelling play.
Impact
I led design execution for the Minecraft HoloLens demo, creating core interaction features and UX flows. This was the world’s first public hands-on HoloLens experience, where players could put on the device and see holograms. The demo defined expectations for mixed reality gaming and positioned Minecraft as the showcase for HoloLens at launch.
Key Outcomes
First time press could experience live holographic content on HoloLens, establishing the promise of mixed reality gaming
Invented the Magic Window interaction, a spatial affordance that let players see holographic worlds embedded in real surfaces
Directed UX and interaction design for the demo, including voice commands and spatial input systems
Delivered in under three months, from concept through development and showcase
Wrote & Directed the companion launch video
Most positively received demo at the HoloLens reveal, generating record global media coverage