Meta Quest VR Headsets UX Studies
Overview
Between 2022 and 2024, Kaiwen Yang, founder of Skape Innovations, served as a UX Researcher for Meta's research projects, contributing to the development of multiple generations of VR headsets and mixed-reality technologies. His work spanned early prototype testing to late-stage usability evaluation, focusing on the intersection of human perception, comfort, and system interaction with immersive technologies.
Approach
Across multiple North American test sites, Kaiwen led and co-led ten major user experience studies, each integrating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. He oversaw participant recruitment, research design, and end-to-end technical setup — including hardware configuration, session execution, and post-session data management.
Each study was supported by comprehensive analytical reports detailing both behavioral insights and measurable ergonomic outcomes. These findings directly informed design and engineering decisions across three successive generations of Meta’s VR headset lineup, influencing hardware ergonomics, interface layout, and onboarding workflows.
Outcome
Kaiwen’s research contributed to a more refined understanding of how users perceive comfort, stability, and agency in VR environments — insights that became instrumental to the Reality Labs development cycle. His systematic approach bridged human-centered inquiry and technical implementation, strengthening Meta’s evidence-based design culture within the rapidly evolving XR landscape.
Testimonials
“I had the pleasure of collaborating with Kaiwen on projects involving Meta’s VR headsets. His meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage complex workflows made a strong impression. Kaiwen consistently delivered high-quality research outputs while fostering a highly organized, collaborative environment. He brings both expertise and integrity to every engagement — a rare combination in our field.”
— Komal Faiz, Director, Wanderlite | Former Senior UX Researcher, Meta Reality Labs
"Kaiwen and I were part of a small team doing field work on a UX research project recently. His technical know-how, adaptability, and willingness to learn made him the perfect teammate for our field research. Kaiwen made sure each session went smoothly with careful technical software + hardware setup. He contributed meaningfully to the qualitative sessions, helping participants to understand the technology and feel comfortable trying new hardware. I'm excited for Kaiwen's career trajectory, and I'm happy to call him a colleague and friend!"
— Max Collins, PhD, Senior UX Researcher, Meta Reality Labs