UX/UI Design Trends to Watch in 2023: What's Coming Next?

2023 is already halfway over, but that won’t stop new things coming! These are my eight predictions of what UX/UI design trends we are going to see more of.

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Dark Mode

Dark mode has gained popularity in recent years, you either love it or hate it. There’s no doubt in my mind that it will continue its momentum for the foreseeable future. Designers will focus on creating immersive and visually appealing colour schemes that enhance user experiences while reducing eye strain and saving device battery life. By implementing dark mode, designers are essentially doubling the amount of time a user may engage with your product. Like it or not, dark mode is here to stay.

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Minimalistic Design

The trend of minimalistic design is also a controversial take, but one that you can expect to stay. While minimalism is trending in all areas of life, it’s rather new in the digital space. Clean and simple interfaces with ample white space, minimal ornamentation, and clear typography help users focus on content and tasks without distractions and in a world where there are so many distractions, simple, straightforward design may be a breath of fresh air for users.

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Microinteractions

Micro-interactions are subtle, single-purpose animations or visual feedback that provide a sense of responsiveness and interactivity. Not necessarily new, but micro-interactions may become more than just a trend. For the remainder of 2023, it is highly likely that designers will increasingly leverage micro-interactions to enhance user engagement, guide users through interfaces, and communicate system status or feedback. Coupled with minimalistic design, animated UI elements are a great way to engage a user without overwhelming them.

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Chatbots

With the increase of chatbots on mobile and web applications, I think we are going to see designers continue to focus on creating conversational user interfaces for the remainder of 2023. Seamless integration of voice commands will enable more interactive user experiences. We all know the struggles of reaching someone to troubleshoot a website or answer a quick question. Chatbots have been around for a while but the barriers to entry for this type of integration are going to lessen as time moves on.

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Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

As AR and VR technologies become more accessible, designers will explore ways to integrate immersive experiences into user interfaces. Whether it's for gaming, e-commerce, or training applications, AR and VR will provide unique opportunities for creating engaging and interactive experiences. This has been the talk of the town for a long time, but I have a feeling 2023 is the time for them to shine.

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Data Visualisation and Storytelling

Designers will continue to emphasise effective data visualisation techniques to present complex information in a digestible and engaging manner. This is a top-tier way of empathising with a user and considering the user experience. Storytelling through data-driven interfaces will enable users to interact with information and draw meaningful insights. I’m excited for this one!

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Accessibility-Focused Design

Inclusivity and accessibility will remain essential considerations in UX/UI design, and become even more imperative for success. Designers will aim to create interfaces that are usable by individuals with diverse abilities, ensuring that everyone can access and navigate digital products and services. I see User research playing a huge role in the overall accessibility of a design.

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Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Design

As environmental concerns increase, designers will incorporate sustainable practices into their design processes. This includes optimising energy consumption, reducing data usage, and promoting eco-friendly behaviours through design choices. Ideally, this will be done in a non-greenwashing way with authentic care for the world we live in.

Of course, the only true way to see the trends is to live them. There is a lot of room for growth in UI/UX and it is up to us to see it come to life.

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