The past year brought in many new changes to user experience (UX) design and also to user interfaces (UI).
Generally speaking, these “abrupt” changes occur as technology advances and it is at that moment when UI/UX designers must be up to the task of offering the user the best possible experience. Likewise, every year there are certain trends in UI/UX design that must be taken into account to achieve their objectives.
The biggest trends in UI/UX design are:
- Minimalism
- Neomorphism
- Microinteractions
- Data visualization
- Control via air gestures
- Virtual reality
- Emotional storytelling
- Wearables
Trends in UI/UX Design
Minimalism
Undoubtedly, minimalist design is at the top of the list of trends. Currently there are many digital products with a large catalog of services, so it is necessary that the vocabulary is simple, so that the message is direct.
Decorative elements, colors, and pop-up windows are less and less popular, and the reasons for this is because a lot of attention is paid to ensure that the user does not have any type of “distraction” and when entering the application and goes straight to what he/she wanted to do.
In addition, it has been proven that minimalist design generates a very interesting visual style and this causes new users to start using this type of interfaces.
Neomorphism
When we talk about neomorphism, we refer to elements that “protrude” from the screen. Shadows are used to create this effect.
For example, the user can place the cursor over the selected product and the product will protrude from the screen. This allows the user to interact with the products and is more attractive for designers because they can create more eye-catching interfaces.
Microinteractions
Microinteractions occur when a user clicks on a button or enters information in a field in an application or website. When this happens there is an exchange between the user and the site, so UI/UX designers create interactions that attract the user’s attention and are also functional.
Data Visualization
One of the most complicated parts of the user experience in many websites or apps is the ability to find a large amount of data quickly, so designers must develop: graphs, maps, posters, etc.
These options are some of the many ways available to present the data and make it easier for the user to understand.
Control Via Air Gestures
To better understand what the concept of “air gestures” is all about, let’s start with an example: imagine turning your cell phone around to take a selfie without touching the screen, you would only have to move your hand in front of the device, this is what we mean by air gestures.
Simply put, it involves performing physical gestures in front of the device as a command. It’s an attractive trend, as touch screens once were.
Control via air gestures offers the possibility for UI/UX designers to create much larger interfaces and of course to completely remove touch.
3D Visual Elements
As we mentioned before, it is trendy for images/illustrations to be in 3D. This modality allows the user a deep interaction with the product he/she wants to buy.
This type of interface element is more and more requested because of the experience that users get with them. Currently, certain tools are used to create them, such as: SculptGL, Maya, etc.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is a trend that continues to grow and is becoming more and more popular among users. Facebook has already launched a project called Metaverse (a virtual world), where avatars of people can interact and meet each other at work and in their free time.
This trend is made possible with Oculus virtual reality headsets and will undoubtedly influence UI/UX design.
Emotional Storytelling
Storytelling is the art of telling a story to customers and connecting with them through different emotions. Its purpose is to incorporate a message that generates a positive attitude.
While popular among marketing professionals, this trend is slowly gaining traction among UI/UX designers. Neurological research using resonance imaging has shown that users rely more on emotions than reason.
Positive emotions are crucial for brand connection, making storytelling essential. It is recommended to complement this trend with others mentioned to achieve the desired objectives.
Wearables
Wearable technology is a growing trend that encompasses electronic devices and gadgets integrated into our bodies, such as smartwatches, GPS shoes, and health monitoring bracelets. These devices interact with users to perform specific functions.
With the increasing availability of wearable alternatives, UI/UX designers must design interfaces that are optimized for small screens and accommodate the unique characteristics of wearable devices.
UI/UX Design: Why Follow These Trends?
After reading the article, you’ll understand the importance of each trend in UI/UX design. We recommend hiring designers who are up-to-date with these trends to create and develop the best interfaces for your application or website. Contact us for more information!