Oct. 12, 2021

Emerging tech trends are the backbone of hundreds of industries. They can snap the spine of a company like a toothpick or rehab a dying business into a flourishing, industry-leading powerhouse. For anyone to be successful in a 21st-century marketplace, they must understand trends and what their target audiences want. The importance of understanding UX/UI design trends is no different from understanding how important trends are in fashion or restaurant industries, as examples. Both must listen to what people want, pay attention to how people use a product, and create beautiful, simple, easy-to-use concepts that make a product stand out.

We compiled a short list of the top UX/UI design trends to help you know what’s relevant in 2022.

Minimalist UI

Let’s face it. Pop-ups, notifications, and other “attention-grabbing” widgets can be seen by consumers as basic, annoying, and irritating. In a world where you’re forced to watch an ad or take a survey every time you view content, it’s a refreshing surprise when you’re not. By removing all the distractions, consumers can view the content and that’s what’s most important from the start. Not to mention that excluding the bells and whistles frees up space for more innovative ways to feature content such as micro animations, bold illustrations, or interactive 3D elements.

Mobile-First

Designing mobile variations is a necessary step that will increase traffic to the website. In 2021, Statista reported that mobile devices account for over 54% of web page views worldwide. Gone are the days of consumers mostly searching the web on their laptops. While not every user has access to a laptop, many have a smartphone with access to the internet. Companies now have to create stunning and interactive sites that are easy to navigate at the touch of a finger from a phone or tablet.

UX for Wearables

Smartwatches, Fitbits, smart glasses, and wireless headsets are just a few of the rising wearable technologies. Wearable technology provides the user with a new sense of seamless connectivity and simplicity. Other industries are adopting wearables, and their users expect them to be an extension of their smartphones. The challenge designers now face is having to find ways to feature content in only one cubic inch.

Storytelling with UX

Using a narrative to communicate business ideas is not a new concept, but it is becoming a popular trend for UX developers. Functional MRI neuro-imagery shows that, when evaluating brands, consumers primarily use emotions rather than information. Positive emotions toward a brand have a far greater influence on consumer loyalty than trust and other judgments, which are based on a brand’s attributes. Incorporating parallax scrolling, micro animations, and other UX trends in combination with storytelling is a powerful and effective way to communicate and connect to your audience.

Virtual Reality

Last but not least is virtual reality. VR is a game-changer in user experience. Unlike AR, VR fully immerses the user into a 3D interactive environment. Industry leaders are innovating new ways consumers use their headsets. As an example, medical facilities are implementing Oculus VR to train for surgical procedures and uses in physical therapy. Additionally, they are focusing on developing applications for fitness, online learning, and healthcare. VR is expanding the capacity for which users are engaged in content.