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The year 2022 was a watershed moment in UX/UI design. You must have also seen the emergence of new trends as well as the continuation of existing ones. There were troubling headlines about the economy and big-name company layoffs, as well as more exciting possibilities that emerged with the launch of AI chat software like ChatGPT.
In this article, you'll see a few of the UX/UI design trends that, in 2023, are expected to have a significant impact on the design industry based on market trends, user behavior at this time, and projections from industry experts.
1. Extensive use of AI in the design process
In November 2022, ChatGPT was introduced. It made an immediate impact in the field of product design with its "smart" integration of AI with a chatbot.
Following headlines on the usage of AI, and its potential effects on the design industry have sparked discussions, inquiries, and worries. AI, formerly just a novelty, is about to enter the mainstream as a tool for enhancing productivity and procedure.
It has been predicted by some professionals like Ruben Alegre Dias, a Freelance Product Designer & Design Mentor at DesignLab. “AI will increasingly be used to facilitate design processes as well as the production of art. You have caught glimpses of it over the past few years, usually when it was being utilized as a demo tool rather than being taken seriously as a possible tool. As a designer or creative, you must understand how to work with this tool, include it in your approach, and fully realize its potential.”
2. How AI Affects the Design Process
The use of AI in the design process is not new, and several tools powered by AI have long since entered the mainstream (take the humble color palette generator, for example).
We should expect some changes in the discussions being had about the function and importance of specialized roles as experienced designers begin integrating AI into various stages of the design process.
For instance, using a copy tool like copy.ai could improve productivity in the area of content design. But it might also act as a starting point for more in-depth discussions on what content design is and the benefits or insights it brings to the overall UX process.
3. More Personalized Experiences
Personalization is becoming more important in UI/UX design. Designers are working to create designs that are tailored to the individual user, taking into account their preferences, behavior, and history.
Businesses are also looking for ways to differentiate their digital products from those of their rivals because good design has become a standard requirement. Naturally, this entails giving each user a more focused, personalized experience to give them the impression that everything about it is catered to their particular requirements.
Consequently, whether you're working on websites, applications, or anything in between, the "choose your own path" approach will be a prevalent difficulty for UX designers to overcome.
4. Growing Divide Between Exploration vs Standardization
You might observe that the aesthetic and UI elements appear to be quite similar if you look at some of your favorite apps and websites. For instance, icon-and-text menus are frequently used in mobile apps at the top and bottom of the screen. There is a hamburger menu available everywhere.
This uniformity makes sense on the most basic level since designers now have easy access to data that helps them determine "what works" as UX and UI design has advanced. The most effective design choices (opting for the obvious solution to satisfy the demands of your product) are shared and used.
Concern exists on how this (standardization) may affect exploration. Designers today are less interested in examining issues and are more concerned about "making the wrong decision." However, designers must embrace uncertainty, use A/B testing, and avoid diving headfirst into a massive design library (for example material design).
5. Growing Popularity of "All-in-One" UX Designers
The labor market is still being affected by the ongoing economic unpredictability, with some economists expecting that inflation will continue to rise while others believe that better times are just around the horizon. We have already observed downward tendencies as the economy continues to change, particularly in some sectors like technology and funded startups, many of which are scaling back to a "new normal" after over-hiring as a result of the pandemic's rapid expansion. UX employment in other industries, including healthcare, continues to develop steadily.
We're observing more cautious recruiting practices as a result of the general unpredictability. Businesses are either employing UX designers who can code for an all-in-one "design and implement" role or seeking out more experienced, "proven" designers.
When applying for positions, using your experience in areas other than UX design—such as coding, research, or something completely different—will make you stand out from the competition.
But don't stop there; as you can see from our UI/UX Academy success stories, your employability can also be impacted by the soft skills you've developed or demonstrated in previous positions.
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6. A Growing Need for Niche Product Design Positions
The reality is that, despite some economic setbacks and volatility within specific sectors, the area of UX design continues to expand and evolve in its own right, despite the trends we are seeing for UX/UI designers with extra abilities.
The creation of increasingly specialized professions within UX design is one aspect of this expansion. Over the coming years, we anticipate seeing additional positions with the job titles of UX Researchers, UX Writers, and Content Designers.
7. Remote Employment Possibilities
According to Upwork's Future Workforce 2019 Report predictions, 73% of all teams will have remote workers by 2028. And currently, 43% of businesses permit some kind of remote employment. Additionally, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a potential 13% growth in the number of UX designer jobs between 2020 and 2030. UX designers now have more career opportunities than ever because of the growing popularity of remote work. And as a result, we may anticipate seeing a greater emphasis on work-life balance and the perks that businesses provide to encourage remote employees to stick around.
These incentives will probably be added to the perks that full-time workers are currently anticipated to get, such as:
increased number of days off (averages differ according to the company)
healthcare allowances (for the United States specifically, but global perks as well)
Budgets for remote setup
Opportunities for travel at no cost
Promotional benefits, including anniversary bonuses
Other important UI/UX trends essential for you to stay up to date with as a UI/UX designer are:
Bold, Bright Colors: Expect to see more bright, bold colors being used in designs as they are becoming increasingly popular. This trend helps designs stand out, making them more memorable and visually impactful.
3D and AR Design Elements: Augmented Reality and 3D elements are becoming more accessible, and designers are experimenting with new ways to incorporate these into designs. They provide a more interactive and engaging experience for users.
Micro-Animations: Micro-animations, or subtle animations, are becoming more popular and are used to improve the user experience. They are often used to indicate when an action has been completed, such as a button press, or to bring attention to important elements.
Minimalism: Minimalism continues to be a popular trend in UI/UX design. It involves keeping designs simple, uncluttered, and easy to use. This is achieved by using negative space, clean lines, and a limited color palette.
Responsive Design: With the increasing use of mobile devices, responsive design has become more important than ever. Designers are working to create designs that adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring that users have a consistent experience no matter what device they are using.
6. Dark Mode: Dark mode has become increasingly popular in recent years, and this trend is set to continue. According to EarthWeb, 81.9% of smartphone users use dark mode in 2023. This mode provides a more calming and focused experience for users and is especially useful for low-light environments.
These are just a few of the UI/UX design trends to look out for in 2023. By staying up-to-date with these trends, you can ensure that your design remains fresh and relevant, providing an excellent experience for users.
Summary
Finding the "new normal" of life after a pandemic is difficult, and 2023 is sure to bring about some unforeseen changes.
However, as companies start to accept the notion that we might always trend towards more remote, online work or business encounters and possibly relish the in-person moments in a different way, the collective push towards online experiences continues to expand at a quick rate.
It is up to experienced designers to show the way toward a human-centric future while the field of product design remains front and center in this transition.
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