AnatoXR

Project Presentation

AnatoXR is an interactive 3D & AR anatomy learning application designed for medical students and educators. Leveraging immersive technologies like AR and 3D modeling, the app enables users to explore high-quality anatomical structures in detail, bridging the gap between textbook theory and hands-on learning. Built using the SketchFab API in Framer, AnatoXR delivers a dark, modern, and intuitive interface, enriched with green accents and an image-heavy design for visual clarity.

Team

Design & Research

Harvard Teaching Team

Time

21 Weeks

AnatoXR is an interactive 3D & AR anatomy learning application designed for medical students and educators.

wireframing

Progressive wireframing in Framer, incorporating internal feedback at each stage.

user testing

External user testing to validate designs and identify areas for improvement.

Iterative design

Iterative design refinements based directly on user feedback.

Project

Breakdown

AnatoXR is an interactive anatomy learning platform that bridges the gap between medical education and immersive technology. Built with 3D and AR integration, the app allows users to rotate, zoom, and dissect anatomical structures in detail, making complex learning more engaging and accessible. Designed with medical students and educators in mind, AnatoXR transforms passive study into a dynamic, hands-on experience.

Traditional anatomy education relied heavily on static resources that lacked interactivity.
No unified tool existed that combined 3D models, AR features, and course-driven learning in one platform.
Current digital resources were either too costly, too complex, or too simplistic to create real learning impact.

Objective

Design an intuitive, modern platform that makes anatomy exploration accessible through interactive 3D models and AR.
Bridge theory and practice by allowing users to visualize conditions, injuries, and systems in real time.
Support diverse learning styles with layered body systems, video tutorials, and interactive quizzes.
Elevate medical education design standards by consolidating features into one cohesive platform, reducing learning friction and maximizing impact.

My design responsibilities

I led the design process end-to-end, working closely with subject-matter experts and developers to ensure both accuracy and accessibility. I produced interactive prototypes, media assets, and testing deliverables to shape the final experience.

I was responsible for the following:

UX research and information architecture
Interactive prototypes in Figma
Motion and visual storytelling using After Effects and Premiere Pro
Collaboration with developers to integrate whale tracking and 3D models
Designing and presenting prototypes for user testing

Design & Iterative Testing Process

Research

To ground AnatoXR in real user needs, I conducted extensive research into how medical students, educators, and healthcare trainees currently engage with anatomy education. The goal was to uncover gaps in existing tools and ensure AnatoXR delivered meaningful value through immersive, interactive learning.

Research Methods

A multi-method approach was applied to gain both breadth and depth of insights:

Competitive and Comparative Analysis
Evaluated leading anatomy platforms such as Complete Anatomy, Visible Body, and traditional e-learning systems. This helped identify strengths (e.g., visual fidelity) and weaknesses (e.g., cost, accessibility) in the current market.
Usability Testing (Low-Fidelity Prototypes)
Conducted early testing sessions with interactive wireframes to validate navigation, layering of body systems, and AR interactions. Feedback guided adjustments to interface clarity and feature prioritization.
Data Review
Collected usage data from medical students on how they currently access anatomy resources—comparing digital vs. physical tools (e.g., textbooks, lab dissections). Patterns showed heavy reliance on static references, reinforcing the need for interactivity.
End-User Interviews
Spoke with medical students, professors, and anatomy program coordinators. Insights revealed the importance of accessibility, flexibility across devices, and layering features to support different learning paces.
Stakeholder Input

Consulted with educational advisors and curriculum designers to ensure alignment with academic standards, accessibility best practices, and AR adoption trends.

Research-driven design for anatomy education

Information architecture & navigation

Navigation issues identified during early user interviews and prototype testing:

Overwhelming amount of content in anatomy models
Difficulty toggling between body systems (skeletal, muscular, vascular, etc.)
Inconsistent labeling of anatomical terms
Lack of intuitive hierarchy between courses, models, and videos
Students had trouble finding AR mode quickly during study sessions

With these issues identified during user testing, the redesigned navigation needed to address the following questions:

“How can we design a navigation system that feels simple while handling the complexity of anatomy content?”

“How can we create consistent pathways for different learning modes like exploration, structured courses, and AR, without overwhelming users?”

As we defined the new information architecture of AnatoXR, we accounted for:

Streamlining navigation based on context (explore models, follow a course, or launch AR mode).
Clear terminology and categorization of anatomical systems and learning modules.
Consistent navigation patterns across devices (tablet, desktop, AR mode) while giving users freedom to explore.

In the design and interactive process, I explored both dark and light themes to ensure flexibility and accessibility for diverse user preferences. The dark theme emphasizes contrast and immersion, aligning with AnatoXR’s focus on visual clarity for complex 3D models, while the light theme provides a clean, approachable interface ideal for extended study sessions.