UX Design Trends for 2016
As we start 2016, We’ve been thinking a lot about evolving our UX practice by looking both into the many projects we delivered last year also by taking a look at the many great new services and apps out there. Designing experiences for web and mobile is a constant learning process, one that never stops evolving.
While nothing is set in stone on how to create a great experience, the underlying premise is always there: design a memorable product that a person finds useful for their everyday life.
So what do we, as a team think is next for UX? Here are our 4 design trends to watch in 2016:
1. Mobile by default
Designing for mobile devices first took off in 2015. The idea is simple enough: you start your UX design from a mobile device first and work your way up to desktop from there. We think that this trend will be even stronger in 2016.
There are two key benefits to take away: you are obliged to keep things simple and your app/service/website will be available across hundreds of devices from the get-go, helping you with exposure. Last year we revamped our signature project management app, Taskware, as a mobile-first service.
2. Deep service/product integrations
Product & service specialisation has been growing strong over the last couple of years. Let’s take Slack as an example, the do one and only one thing great: team communication. Products (and companies) that are trying to do too much at the same time are in troublesome times.
We believe that super specialised products are going to become the default and there’s something that comes naturally with it: integration with other services. Why build something again when you can tap into the power of an already great product to gain leverage? The fact that companies have opened APIs to allow others to tap into their service is helping this trend grow even more.
3. The experience will go beyond the interface
The user experience will no longer be bound to the product itself, but across the board along any possible interaction you can possibly have with your customer. Your experience begins when someone visits your landing page, signs up easily, gets an email, gets on boarded, is provided valuable tips & content… the list goes on.
Adding value and providing a great solution goes beyond a successful registration, thus the entire user experience is a process not just screens thrown together in logical order.
4. Design for people
We don’t get to decide what a valuable product is — people do. Complicated, time-killing products have been on their way out for years. Products that ease our lives and in turn give us more free time are the new black.
We are designing for people, we are designing products to make someones life easier.
User experience is a process not just screens thrown together in logical order.
UX design is an evolving practice and we absolutely love bringing our small contribution to the world and the companies we work with. There’s something amazing going on in the world where digital products are weaving into society to free us from time-consuming tasks. It is a great time to get out there and create an awesome product!
Originally published at ideaware.co on January 15, 2016.
