For any business to be successful today, digital experiences are quite crucial. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the race for businesses to go digital intensified. Companies were under pressure to evolve, compete, and disrupt in the face of a rising uncertain economic situation across the world.
Both businesses and consumers alike have raised the ante, especially in terms of what they are expecting, and also, demanding, from digital.
Business leaders today realize that people-centric and accurately personalized digital experiences are now in demand. UX design is hence coming into the spotlight. Companies thus understand the importance of optimizing the way customers interact with their brand. Yet how can they tell about what hypes user experience from facts and long-term trends?
Key UI/UX trends to keep an eye on
When businesses make a website, they always keep their existing and future users in mind. The best for them is to focus on future users as they make a website for them.
To make a website loved by all customers, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are key factors to keep in mind. UI/UX helps digital marketers and designers create websites as well as digital marketing campaigns that are user-centric. They also help create a streamlined website experience enabling customers to keep coming back.
A new day for UI/UX in both Metaverse and Web3
Currently, the world is in the advanced iteration of Web2 but Web3 is around the corner. Both users and designers are observing new challenges and opportunities right in front of them. Web3 wishes to build on the positives of its predecessor (user participation, social sharing, personalized content, and the like) whilst amplifying the internet experience.
Web3 focuses on making content that can help improve cyber security and ease down exchange of information among users online. Moreover, it is helping bring in an era of decentralized experiences created by Blockchain.
The last hurdle before Web3 is adopted is UX. The key factor here will be the way it enables users to navigate experiences without hurdles whilst retaining control of their data. UX design will play a key role in the way the internet shapes itself. UI/UX designers are in high demand today among startups working on Web3.
Mixed Reality i.e. Augmented and Virtual reality working together
Everyone has seen the hype virtual worlds have been bringing in, thanks to Meta and Virtual Reality-based chat blooming during the 2020 COVID-19-induced lockdowns. Numerous companies are developing solutions for improving socializing in the digital universe. Also, they are working on merging physical and digital experiences into hybrid experiences for various industries.
Examples of such technology are decorating and painting empty rooms using AR before furniture, paint, or wallpapers are purchased, Using AR to create business cards, doctors being able to treat patients properly using VR-based simulations before conducting surgery, and supply chain divisions navigating warehouses in AR to optimize order delivery efficiency.
The way AR and VR are being developed and commercialized will make the tech accessible for everyone to adopt and make it even more popular.
Experienced designers and developers from a web design company in Dubai reveal that considering the way these interactions come to life and how users can use these tools safely is a must. The digital and physical environments will be integrated thanks to new and modern technologies. Here are some points to ponder on:
- The level of immersiveness of these experiences and technologies.
- Keeping users aware of their surroundings to prevent accidents.
- Ergonomic and health considerations to account for when it comes to the creation of mixed reality solutions that will be used daily i.e. can prolonged use of headsets cause headaches or eyesight issues?
Moving on from Adobe XD to Figma
Numerous Adobe Creative Cloud users prefer using Adobe XD over other tools for prototyping. Two facts lead to this phenomenon: Minimal learning curve and similarity with other Adobe products. But questions are already being asked about Adobe’s USD 20 billion takeover of Figma. How will it work together with Adobe XD?
Figma will thankfully stay, and its co-founder cum CEO, Dylan Field, stated that the software will continue working autonomously, and will continue improving both Figma Design and Figjam. Moreover, Figma will benefit directly from Adobe’s technology in video, digital imaging, 3D, vector, AI, machine learning, and vice versa.
Adobe has also recognized Figma’s superiority in comparison to Adobe XD when making prototypes and as a collaboration tool. Though the latter will be present with Adobe the parent company looking to reduce investment in it, Figma will grow and Adobe XD may be phased out in the future.
This year, Adobe XD users will start using Figma again and Figma users will be in luck. As Figma’s management retains its autonomy, there is no need to run to Penpot.
Increased Personalization in browsing
Each user appreciates purchasing and brewing which has a personalized feel and is geared towards them. Giving customers experience by adding personalization features to the website, especially recommendations for locations along with results and suggestions based on their browsing behavior.
The world is becoming digital and users are overwhelmed by enormous data around them. Welcoming them to websites using personalization features is always worth the investment and effort. They will feel as if the business, brand, or company interacts with them face to face and the website is built on user-centric patterns.
Evolution of the dark mode
Dark Mode is becoming popular and will be a key UI/UX trend this year. Alternatively known as anti-light mode, it is a user-centric graphic design trend that puts users first. It helps prevent white backgrounds from putting a strain on the eyes and rather darkens the background which improves content readability.
Websites having dark modes are appealing. They cause less strain on the eyes and also help in easy reading of content. Whether websites have backgrounds as dark as Twitter, a soft off-white or grayscale background, Dark Mode is something no company can afford to overlook.
Conclusion
Personalization and the dark mode are two trends that are evolving and improving each year after their respective inceptions. Figma is becoming the next big thing whilst mixed reality is helping improve the virtual shopping experience. Hence, these UI/UX design trends are something that cannot be ignored.
