8 New Trends in UX Design You Need to Know Right Now

User experience (UX) design is a constantly evolving field. With the advancement of technology and changing user expectations, new trends in UX design emerge every year. In this article, we will explore some of the new trends in UX design that are currently making waves.

Dark Mode

Dark mode is becoming more popular among users, and plenty of apps are incorporating this feature. This mode provides a visual break from bright screens and reduces eye strain. UX designers should consider how their designs will look in dark mode and ensure that the contrast and legibility are still optimized.

Photo by Daniel Korpai on Unsplash

Voice Interface Design

As smart speakers and voice assistants continue to gain popularity, voice interface design is becoming an essential aspect of UX design. Voice interfaces require a different approach to design as there are no visual cues, and the interaction is entirely audio-based. UX designers need to consider the user’s context and design voice interactions that are conversational and easy to understand.

Image credit: BENCE BOROS

3D Elements

The use of 3D elements in UX design is becoming increasingly popular. Three-dimensional objects provide depth and a more immersive experience for users. However, it’s essential not to overdo 3D elements and use them appropriately; and hence avoid making the design overwhelming and confusing.

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash

Minimalism

Minimalism in UX design has been a popular trend for a while now. It involves creating clean, simple, and uncluttered designs that focus on the essential elements and remove any unnecessary elements. This approach not only makes the design visually appealing but also improves usability by making it easier for users to navigate and understand the interface.

The negative space on Google Homepage is abundant, highlighting the bold typography of the Google logo. [Source: Google]

Minimalist designs often incorporate ample white space, high contrast, and bold typography to make important elements stand out. They may also use a limited color palette, flat icons, and simple illustrations to keep the design clean and straightforward.

When done well, minimalism in UX design can create a sense of calm and help users focus on the task at hand. However, it’s important to strike a balance between minimalism and providing enough information to guide the user through the experience.

Personalization

Personalization is another important trend in UX design. Users expect a more personalized experience, and hence UX designers need to consider how they can tailor the design to each user. By personalizing the UX, designers can create a more engaging and enjoyable experience for users so as to lead to increased satisfaction, loyalty, and conversion rates.

Personalization in UX design can take many forms, such as:

1. Personalized content: This involves delivering content that is relevant and interesting to the user based on their past behavior, preferences, and demographic information.
2. Customizable interfaces: This allows users to customize the appearance and functionality of the interface to better suit their needs and preferences.
3. Personalized recommendations: This involves providing users with recommendations for products, services, or content based on their past behavior and interests.
4. Adaptive interfaces: These interfaces change over time based on the user’s behavior and feedback to better meet their needs and preferences.
5. Personalized messaging: This involves delivering messages and notifications that are relevant and personalized to the user based on their behavior and preferences.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is the practice of designing products that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Inclusive design considers the diverse needs of users, such as those with visual, auditory, or physical impairment, and strives to make the interface flexible and adaptable to their needs.

Closed captions help not only hearing-impaired but also benefit those in noisy environments, unfamiliar with the language, or learning a new one. [Source: Ambersricpt]

Inclusive design principles can include:

1. Providing multiple ways to access content and features, such as through different input methods (keyboard, mouse, touch), voice commands, or screen readers.
2. Using clear and simple language and avoiding jargon, idioms, and culturally-specific references.
3. Providing visual and auditory cues to guide users, such as error messages, alternative text for images, and closed captioning.
4. Considering the physical and environmental context in which the interface will be used, such as in noisy or low-light environments.
5. Testing the interface with diverse groups of users to identify any usability issues and improve accessibility.

Inclusive design is important not only to ensure that everyone can access but also benefit from the interface, regardless of their abilities. It enhances the overall user experience, as interfaces that are accessible and usable by all tend to be more intuitive, efficient, and effective.

You can learn more about Inclusive Desing here: Why Accessible Design is good for everyone?

Storytelling

Storytelling is becoming more prevalent in UX design. Designers are using stories to engage users and create a more emotional connection to the product. Stories can be used in many ways, be it product descriptions, user onboarding, or even in marketing campaigns.

It can help create a more memorable and enjoyable experience for users. By tapping into the power of storytelling, designers can create interfaces that are more engaging, immersive, and emotionally resonant. Storytelling can also help users better understand and remember the information presented to them.

However, it’s important to balance storytelling with usability and functionality. A well-told story should not come at the expense of usability, as users still need to be able to complete their tasks efficiently and effectively.

Micro-Interactions

Micro-interactions are small animations or interactions that provide feedback to users. They are becoming more popular in UX design as they can make the design more engaging and provide instant feedback to users. Micro-interactions can be used to highlight changes in the user interface, provide feedback on a user’s action, or even provide small moments of delight to users.

Image credit: https://annajona.is/

Conclusion

In conclusion, UX design is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends is essential for creating engaging and effective designs. Dark mode, voice interface design, 3D elements, minimalism, personalization, inclusive design, storytelling, and micro-interactions are some of the new trends in UX design that are worth exploring. By incorporating these trends, we as UX designers can create designs that are not only user-friendly but also provide an exceptional user experience.