Interface-based modeling and design of three dimensional spaces using two dimensional representations are provided herein. An example method includes converting a three dimensional space into a two dimensional space using a map projection schema, where the two dimensional space is bounded by ergonomic limits of a human, and the two dimensional space is provided as an ergonomic user interface, receiving an anchor position within the ergonomic user interface that defines a placement of an asset relative to the three dimensional space when the two dimensional space is re-converted back to a three dimensional space, and re-converting the two dimensional space back into the three dimensional space for display along with the asset, within an optical display system.