Building a Vision Pro App from Scratch for StockX: My Journey

The rise of immersive technology has completely reshaped the way we interact with digital experiences, and the Apple Vision Pro is a prime example of this evolution. As an iOS developer with a passion for pushing boundaries, I embarked on a journey to build an app for StockX—a platform beloved by sneaker enthusiasts worldwide—that takes full advantage of Vision Pro’s capabilities. The goal? To create a shelf display of sneakers that users can interact with in augmented reality (AR) using intuitive hand gestures like pinch and pull. Here’s the story of how I turned this vision into reality.


The Concept: Sneakers on a Virtual Shelf

The idea was simple yet ambitious: reimagine the shopping experience by allowing users to interact with sneakers in a highly tactile and immersive way. The app would display a virtual shelf stocked with shoes, letting users rotate, resize, and explore sneakers in AR. The project was not only about showcasing sneakers but also about elevating the user experience to feel as personal and interactive as trying on shoes in real life.


Step 1: Getting Started with VisionOS

The first step was diving into VisionOS, Apple’s operating system for the Vision Pro. VisionOS introduces a new paradigm for developers, combining the best of ARKit and traditional iOS development. While familiar in some aspects, it brought new challenges, particularly when it came to spatial design and gesture-based interactions.

To start, I sketched out the user flow:

      1. Users would launch the app and be greeted by a floating shelf displaying a curated selection of sneakers.

      1. Each shoe could be selected with a simple pinch gesture.

      1. Once selected, users could rotate the shoe by pinching and twisting, or resize it by pulling their fingers apart (to enlarge) or pinching them together (to shrink).

    This level of interaction required precise tracking and responsiveness—an exciting challenge for me as a developer.


    Step 2: Designing the Shelf

    The shelf needed to be both visually appealing and functional. Using Reality Composer Pro, I created a virtual shelf that could float in the user’s space. The sneakers were placed on the shelf using 3D models sourced from StockX’s product catalog.

    Each sneaker model was meticulously optimized to strike a balance between high fidelity and performance. The Vision Pro’s powerful hardware allowed me to render intricate details, such as stitching on the fabric and textures on the soles, making the sneakers look lifelike.


    Step 3: Implementing Hand Gestures

    The real magic of the app lay in its gesture-based interaction. Vision Pro uses hand-tracking sensors that enable natural gestures like pinching, pulling, and swiping. Here’s how I implemented the key gestures:

        • Pinch to Select: Using the Vision Pro’s gesture recognition APIs, I mapped the pinch gesture to the selection action. When a user pinched near a shoe, the app highlighted it with a subtle glow and brought it forward.

        • Rotate with Pinch and Twist: For rotation, I tracked the relative movement of the user’s fingers during a pinch. By calculating the angle and direction of the twist, I made the shoe rotate in real time, as if being turned in the user’s hands.

        • Resize with Pinch and Pull: To resize the shoe, I measured the distance between the user’s fingers during the pinch gesture. Expanding the fingers made the shoe larger, while bringing them closer together shrank it. Watching the sneaker grow or shrink before my eyes was a surreal and gratifying moment during development.


      Step 4: Fine-Tuning the User Experience

      Creating an immersive app isn’t just about functionality—it’s about how the experience feels. I spent countless hours fine-tuning details like:

          • Physics and Movement: The shoes needed to feel grounded in the virtual space. I added subtle physics-based animations, such as a slight wobble when a shoe was resized or rotated, to make interactions feel more natural.

          • Haptics and Audio Feedback: Although the Vision Pro doesn’t have direct tactile feedback, I used subtle sound effects to simulate the feeling of interaction. For instance, a soft “click” sound plays when a user selects a shoe, and a gentle swoosh accompanies resizing gestures.

          • Lighting and Shadows: To enhance realism, I implemented dynamic lighting that reacted to the user’s environment. Shadows under the shoes adjusted based on their position on the shelf, making the sneakers appear seamlessly integrated into the AR space.


        Step 5: Testing in the Real World

        Once the core functionality was built, I tested the app in various environments to ensure it performed well. From brightly lit rooms to dimly lit spaces, the Vision Pro’s sensors adapted beautifully. However, I did encounter some challenges:

            • Gesture Recognition in Cluttered Spaces: Initially, the hand-tracking struggled in environments with lots of visual noise (like busy wallpapers). To address this, I refined the gesture detection logic to filter out false positives.

            • User Fatigue: Holding hands up for extended periods can be tiring, so I adjusted the app’s design to encourage brief interactions. For example, users could use the pinch gesture to place a shoe on a virtual turntable, freeing their hands while still exploring the sneaker.


          The Final Product: An Immersive Sneaker Experience

          After months of development, the app was finally ready. The result was a seamless blend of technology and design, offering sneaker enthusiasts a unique way to explore StockX’s catalog. The floating shelf, the lifelike shoes, and the intuitive gestures came together to create an experience that felt futuristic yet natural.

          Users could examine every detail of a sneaker, from the curve of the sole to the texture of the laces, as if holding it in their hands. The ability to resize and rotate the shoe added a playful element, making the experience as engaging as it was informative.

          I’m excited to share that the CEO of StockX gave a shoutout to my team for making this Vision Pro app possible! It’s an incredible feeling to see our hard work and innovation recognized at such a high level. Check out the announcement here: LinkedIn Post 🚀👟

          Lessons Learned

          Building this Vision Pro app taught me a lot about designing for immersive experiences. Some key takeaways include:

              1. Focus on Intuition: Gestures should feel natural and require minimal explanation. If users have to think too hard about how to interact, the magic of immersion is lost.

              1. Optimize for Performance: High-quality 3D models are great, but they must be optimized for smooth performance, especially in AR environments.

              1. Test in Real Environments: AR apps behave differently depending on the user’s surroundings, so testing in diverse settings is crucial.


            What’s Next?

            This app is just the beginning. I’m excited to explore additional features, such as integrating StockX’s real-time marketplace data, enabling users to purchase sneakers directly from the AR interface, or adding multiplayer functionality for collaborative shopping experiences.

            The Vision Pro has opened up a new world of possibilities, and I can’t wait to see how this technology continues to shape the future of e-commerce and beyond. For now, I’m thrilled to have created an app that merges technology and creativity, offering sneakerheads an unforgettable way to explore their passion.


            Have questions about building for Vision Pro or want to share your thoughts? Let’s connect—I’d love to hear from you!

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