6 Trends in App UI/UX Design for 2023
As a professional with over a decade of experience in app UI/UX design, I have been analysing and witnessing the evolution of app design since 2011. Over the years, I have seen the industry grow and adapt to new technologies, user needs, and design trends. In 2023, we can expect to see new and exciting trends in app UI/UX design that will shape the future of digital experiences. In this publication, I will share my insights on the top trends in app UI/UX design for the this year.
1. Dark mode
Dark mode has been gaining popularity in recent years and is set to become even more prevalent in 2023. Dark mode is a display setting that uses a darker color palette for the app’s user interface. This not only reduces eye strain, especially in low-light environments, but also extends battery life on devices.
In 2023, we can expect to see dark mode as an additional automated option that switches based on the time of day. This means that apps should be designed in both light and dark modes to accommodate users who prefer one over the other or who want the app to automatically switch based on the time of day.
Digital designers should be mindful of designing for dark mode, as it requires careful consideration of color contrast, typography, and iconography. The contrast between text and background should be chosen based on accessibility principles to ensure that users with visual impairments can read the content. Using light text on a dark background may seem like an easy solution, but it can cause eye strain if not done correctly. Therefore, it is important to test and iterate designs in both modes to ensure optimal user experience.
2. Personalisation
Personalisation has been a growing trend in app UI/UX design, and in 2023, we can expect to see even more emphasis on tailored user experiences. Onboarding experiences will become more extended and interactive, allowing users to provide more information about their preferences and interests. This information will be used to define the user app interface based on their needs.
Apps will collect more user-relevant information to personalise the user experience, such as their location, behavioural patterns, and search history. This data will be used to deliver personalised content, such as product recommendations or location-based services.
In addition, apps will also offer more customisation options, allowing users to personalise their app experience further. Users can select their preferred color scheme, font size, and even the layout of their app’s user interface.
However, developers must ensure that users are aware of the data being collected and that they have control over their privacy settings. Personalisation should be based on user consent and should not compromise user privacy.
In summary, personalisation will become a more critical aspect of app UI/UX design in 2023. Designers will need to focus on designing interactive Onboarding experiences and collecting relevant user information to personalise the user experience. The ultimate goal is to create an app experience that is tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each user.
3. Augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) has been around for a while, but it is still a growing trend in app UI/UX design. AR technology overlays digital content onto the real world, creating a more immersive and interactive user experience. In 2023, we can expect to see AR becoming more mainstream in various industries, such as logistics, automotive, education and others.
AR can be used in logistics and automotive apps in several ways. In logistics, AR can be used to improve warehouse efficiency and accuracy by providing visual cues and instructions for workers. For example, workers can use AR headsets to see real-time information about inventory levels, product locations, and order status, which can help them pick and pack items more quickly and accurately.
In automotive apps, AR can be used to enhance the driving experience and improve safety. For example, AR can be used to provide real-time information about the vehicle’s speed, fuel level, and engine performance, which can help drivers stay informed and make better decisions on the road. AR can also be used to display navigation information, traffic updates, and other important alerts in a way that is more intuitive and less distracting than traditional displays.
Additionally, AR can be used to provide remote assistance and support for logistics and automotive workers. For example, experts can use AR headsets to provide real-time guidance and troubleshooting to workers in the field, which can help them resolve issues more quickly and efficiently. AR can also be used to provide virtual training and simulations, which can help workers learn new skills and procedures without putting themselves or others at risk.
Thanks to advanced AI technology, users can now explore the world in a more immersive way through a recent update to the popular Google Maps app. At the annual Google I/O Event in May, the “immersive view” feature was introduced, which utilizes 3D mapping and machine learning to create an augmented reality version of some of the most famous cities worldwide. By blending aerial and street level images, users can now discover and experience a location like never before.
As AR becomes more prevalent, we can also expect to see more app UI/UX design trends emerge, such as integrating AR with voice and gesture controls. AR can also be combined with other emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), to create even more immersive experiences.
4. Minimalism
Minimalism has been a popular trend in app UI/UX design for several years, and it shows no sign of slowing down in 2023. Minimalism is all about simplicity, using only the essential elements to communicate information and provide a clean and uncluttered interface. In addition, the focus of minimalism is to improve the user experience by ensuring that the UI hierarchy is more intuitive.
In 2023, we can expect to see minimalism becoming even more prevalent as app UI/UX designers continue to embrace simplicity and clarity in their designs. This trend is driven in part by the need for faster load times and improved performance on mobile devices, where users demand fast and responsive interfaces.
To design for minimalism, developers must focus on the essential elements and prioritise content that is most important to the user. This requires careful consideration of typography, color, and layout, with the aim of creating a clean interface. By removing unnecessary elements, designers can create a more intuitive and easy-to-use interface that improves the user experience.
In addition, minimalism is also about creating a sense of space and balance in the interface. Negative space, or the space between elements, can be used to create a sense of order and balance, making it easier for users to navigate the app and find what they need. By prioritising content and carefully arranging the interface, designers can create a more precise and intuitive UI hierarchy that enhances the user experience.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field, and its impact on app UI design cannot be overstated. The use of AI is enabling UI designers to create more personalised, intuitive, and engaging interfaces that improve the overall user experience.
As a UI/UX designer, you may be wondering how you can incorporate AI into your designs. Here are some practical tips that can help:
- First, you can use AI-powered tools like Chat GPT to generate ideas for app features or to write content that can be used in UI prototypes. This can save you time and help you come up with more creative ideas.
- Another way to use AI in your designs is by defining personas based on user behaviour patterns. AI-powered tools can provide insights that can help you create more accurate and relevant personas.
- You can also use AI to generate unique and personalised illustrations and logos for your designs. Tools like Midjourney can generate images that align with your customer brand’s values and aesthetics.
Looking to the future, AI will be able to generate user interfaces automatically in a usable quality. This will allow you to focus on other aspects of the design process, such as usability testing and design iterations.
However, it’s important to keep in mind the ethical implications of using AI in the UI designs.
In summary, incorporating AI into your UI/UX designs can provide new ways of generating ideas, content, and visuals while also automating certain aspects of the design process. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how designers can use it to create more engaging and personalised user experiences.
6. Empathy maps
Empathy maps are a great way for us to better understand our users and their needs. With empathy maps, we can plan for future research studies, capture insights during current user research, and share research insights with others. They’re a really flexible tool that can be used throughout the entire design process.
When I use an empathy map, I divide it into four quadrants: think, feel, say, and do. Then, I try to imagine what our users are thinking, feeling, saying, and doing in relation to the task we’re researching. I jot down notes and observations in each quadrant, which helps build a more complete picture of our users.
Once I’ve completed an empathy map, I can use it to identify patterns and insights that will help me design better products or services. For example, if I notice that a lot of users are saying they’re confused about a certain feature, that might be a sign that we need to make it more intuitive or provide more guidance.
Overall, empathy maps are a really valuable tool that help us put ourselves in our users’ shoes and design with their needs in mind.
I recently came across an article by Nielsen Norman Group that talks about the benefits of using empathy maps in more detail. If you’re interested, you can check it out here: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/using-empathy-maps/.
Conclusion
In conclusion, app UI/UX design is a constantly evolving field that adapts to new technologies, user needs, and design trends. In 2023, we can expect to see a continued emphasis on user personalisation and minimalism, as well as the growth of dark mode and augmented reality. Personalisation will focus on collecting relevant user information to tailor the app experience to individual needs and preferences, while minimalism will emphasise simplicity, clarity, and improved performance. Dark mode will provide users with an option to reduce eye strain and save battery life, while augmented reality will create more immersive and interactive experiences. As app UI/UX designers continue to embrace these trends, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting developments in the digital landscape.
