UX design trends enable a business to stay competitive and to meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide. The most significant UX trends are here to stay and for the coming years.
UX design encompasses the traditional-computer interaction or HCI design, and extends it through addressing all product or service aspects as perceived by users. The past year witnessed a big revolution in the UX design domain. The most significant UX design trends are here to stay and followed this year too.
The edge for any business these days is to provide the best user experience, together with designing a top quality site or application to a brand. The design features should not only attract the target audience but should also provide them with a better option for easy interaction. Simply put, one should ascertain that users have a wonderful time while interacting with the website or application.
UX design trends foster innovation which leads to further growth of an organization. As the expectations of users for a simple, seamless experience continue to grow, particularly for services or products with complicated functionality, user experience has become an increasingly vital component for success.
Check out the following UX design trends that are dominating this year.
#1. Magic of a Mobile-First Design
This approach was outlined in 2009 by Luke Wroblwski. This is all about creating designs for mobiles such as smart phones, tablets and others first, then taking to a laptop, desktop, as well as other larger screens. Once a mobile site is done, one could add as much features as one wants on a desktop version.
While the concept seems to be simple, it is not that easy to implement since it needs a change in the whole design process. Nevertheless, mobile-first design has ample benefits to outdo the fear of design process changes. The sales of mobile devices has grown across the board with more than 85 percent of new handsets that could access the mobile web. Keep in mind that mobile devices and smart phones have made it easy to carry the World Wide Web in the pocket nowadays. Thus, this trend is sure to continue to grow this year.
#2. Potential of a Layered Flat Design.
Lately, designers, as well as customers, have begun choosing flat designs that are clean, simple, modern and colorful. Due to the simple design, responsive and being user-friendly, a flat design beautifully lends itself to any kind of use, whether mobile or desktop. Although flat designs look wonderful when made within the minimalism restraints, they could also handle much complexity. These designs have clarity and crispness that could be achieved only through stripping away three dimensional effects.
The popularity of a flat design is growing, whether building a website or an application. The flat design is simple but elegant. It doesn’t necessarily require one to use extra effects like drop shadows or 3D to impress visitors. Flat is simply flat without added features. This flat design trend is here to stay. That is why, it is good for a business to go for a flat design or consider making a few changes in the website to attract the attention of people.
#3. User-Centered Design would rule the Roost.
Simply, User-centered design or UCD is a design developed that is focused on the wants, needs and limitations of end users. The UCD idea has grown out of ‘humanism’, which could be traced back to Ancient Greece and the early Christians who value individual differences. It’s about time that designers take into consideration the user centered UX design approach as the customers need as well as technology are evolving much faster than ever before.
Most organizations, big or small, are all convinced that innovation has indeed become extremely elusive. The best thing to do is to establish empathy with users and make models to examine complex business concerns. Make sure that the final design of a website is user-centered since this is the sole key to success in the coming years.
#4. Content-focused design is the new Oprah.
With businesses and startups noticing a surge in website traffic through simple usage of a content-focused approach, this trend will make waves in the UX design industry this year. Rather than going the conventional way of website designing and then fitting in content into it, consider a content-focused design.
Write content first using the data base of the customers, in accordance to their needs and tastes, and then later on responsive website design see a perfect way to display all the content. A content-focused approach is not just about a site with heavy content but minimizing all extra buttons, ads and sidebars so they do not interfere while a visitor goes throughout the content. Bear in mind that organization is the key here.
Make sure that the web page is laid out in such a way that vital elements pop up. A content rich website gives an impression that selling a product is not the only aim. A business would want to build relationship and trust with customers. That is why this content-focused design trend would go a long way in boosting leads and growing a business. Consider this trend and see that it pays off.
#5. Rise of Parallax Scrolling.
A parallax scrolling function would give a creative edge over others in the marketplace. This is a hot trend that appears to be gaining momentum with every passing day and thus, a lot of designers are seen using to draw their audience. Each time a user moves the mouse, there would be something new for the user to know about. This offers an opportunity to business owners to relay their message easily.
A product could be displayed in 3D, which would give a wonderful impression to visitors. Moreover, customers could also be involved in the whole process of storytelling via making them to stop at some points.
One of the greatest benefits of parallax scrolling is that it helps reduce bounce rate, for instance the number of visitors who visit a website and press the back button. A parallax site provides users a different experience which compels them to remain on the page for a longer time.
