UX and UI designs are ever-changing, yet they are somehow predictable. As evidenced by its developments since its formal naming in 1955, product design trends transitioned from bold and simple to unique and ingenious designs. Nevertheless, UX designs over the years have revolved around a common principle.
UX designs aim to provide users with the highest level of satisfaction by providing them with a valuable user experience. Software development companies achieve this by ensuring that your product is user-friendly, functional, responsive, accessible, and secure. A UX design agency like https://limeup.io/ is particular about meeting these product design goals. They have extensive years of experience working with various brands and companies.
If you’re curious to know about the history and evolution of design, this article is a must-read. It will provide you with the changes that occurred in UX design in the past decade and how they influence design trends in the coming years.
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Mobile-First UX Design: A Sneak Peak Over the Decade
If we could go back in time and explore digital applications ten years ago, most of us would be looking at our smartphone screens. Smartphones and tablets were relatively new but already picking up steam, intensified by the release of the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010.
Therefore, it was no surprise that mobile-friendliness is at the core of digital product design. It was something new and advantageous for businesses to adopt and integrate into their digital marketing strategy. And that’s what they did.
The Smart Mobile Revolution
The introduction of Apple’s iPhone and iPad marked the mobile revolution in the field of design. As more and more consumers use smartphones, consumer preferences, and needs have shifted. Inevitably, product designs also evolved to adapt to this smartphone wave.
Companies and businesses must think of ways to conform to the changing times. As the number of mobile users increases, UX design agencies must ensure they develop mobile-friendly websites, apps, and software. Rendering mobile-friendliness became the top priority.
Data-Driven Designs
The utilization of mobile phones led to a substantial increase in data about users. Smartphones, which are essentially portable computers, can provide developers with information, such as the location and interests of the user. Product designers also learned about user preferences. They started experimenting with different color schemes, layouts, buttons, and menu formats to determine user behavior and interaction.
Evolution of UX Design
Responsive Design
Responsive and adaptive design pertains to a product design that adapts to the screen of the user. As new technologies emerge, platforms, where users can access digital products, increase and become varied. Besides desktops and smartphones, users can also use tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and many more to visit a webpage or app.
In the past, the solution to these differences in screen sizes was to develop different interfaces. But with responsive and adaptive product designs, digital content like graphics, texts, buttons, and layout automatically and seamlessly adjust to the device’s screen size.
Flat Design
There was a shift from skeuomorphism, which creates the illusion of depth and 3D design, to flat design. This minimalist product design was first seen in Windows in 2012. It ultimately removed the 3D effect of design elements, including shadows, depth, textures, gradients, and gloss. The flat design employed vivid colors, minimalism, and simplicity to promote usability and navigability. It also prioritized clean and clutter-free content and design features for improved functionality.
Input and Interactivity
In the interest of gaining information about user preferences and behaviors, product designers incorporated input and interaction mechanisms into designs. The mouse, stylus, and finger gestures like tapping, swiping, pinching, and dragging have become essential parts of the UI and UX design. These allow users to interact directly with the digital product.
Personalization
Another advancement in the field of product design is personalization. In the past, UX and UI were aimed at providing customer satisfaction to the general public. It is not specialized and designed to work to satisfy the most number of users. With personalization, designers adapt digital products to meet the unique needs of each individual. They aim to deliver customized user experiences through the integration of users’ interests and preferences.
AR/VR
Augmented and virtual reality are modern design elements that are now widely adopted. In augmented reality, digital products are overlaid on the physical world. Virtual reality, on the other hand, makes use of the senses to immerse and make users feel a virtual or digital world. AR and VR have the potential to become the future of UX and UI designs.
3D Designs
3-Dimensional design is another web app development trend that is becoming commonplace in many web and mobile apps. The shift from 3D design to flat design, and then back to 3D suggests that product design is indeed volatile. The use of 3D graphics, banners, logos, and animations to create an interesting and engaging user experience.
Accessibility
Accessible product designs are slowly becoming the standard. The accessible design creates an inclusive experience that does not leave out users with unique needs. Those that are temporarily or permanently disabled will still be able to access and explore the digital product. App designers must be aware of accessibility principles and employ them to ensure that users, regardless of their skills and abilities, can use and interact with their website or mobile app.
Conclusion
As a consequence of technological advancements and changes in user needs and preferences, UI and UX designs will continuously evolve. While there are elements that change, there are also those that remain or return after some time. Keeping yourself knowledgeable about the history and evolution of product design will give you leverage against your competitors. After all, the evolution of design influences the design trends of the future.
Limeup is a Software Development Company that consists of highly experienced product designers. These professionals are always aware of the developments in product design to continually improve their software and user experience. As a reputable UX design agency, we promise to deliver high-quality content, sustainable UX design, and a seamless and valuable user experience for your website visitors.
