UX Trends to Watch Out For

As our culture becomes more and more technology-centric, UX design has never been more critical.  You can see its influence everywhere, from presentations to digital platforms, apps, and everywhere in between.  The need to continually innovate is never ending and requires developers and publishers to push the envelope on an ongoing basis.

Given the fast-moving nature of UX technology, it’s essential to keep abreast of the latest developments so you can best plot your own way forward.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most important trends to keep an eye on and be prepared to jump on board with.

Voice UI

One of the beautiful things about modern technology is that it removes many of the traditional inconveniences of using technology, and the progress made with voice technology in recent years is substantial evidence of that.  Whether you’re dictating documents by voice, performing internet searches by sound, or any other command you can think of, voice UI is going to be a core element of nearly everything we touch in the years to come.

Privacy

Between the number of high-profile hacking incidents in recent years and the introduction of GDPR laws in the European Union, attention to digital privacy is at an all-time high.  People are concerned about the potential vulnerability of their personal data, and you won’t be able to attract or retain customers if they don’t feel like their data, especially payment information, is safe with you.

Designing for Inclusiveness

While this may not have been a consideration years ago, the reality is that it’s 2019, and you really ought to do whatever you can to provide accommodations for users with disabilities.  Most modern operating systems already have accommodations for visual, hearing, motor, or other impairments, but look for ways you can provide that the OS didn’t.

Micro-interactions

Elements like swipe functionality, animations, and calls-to-action are examples of micro-interactions, or small enhancements designed to increase an application’s feel and ease of use.  They may not all be utterly critical to the core functionality of your app but are an increasingly common enhancement to the user experience that you can’t dismiss out of hand.

Universal Experience Design

With inclusive design, the goal is to make sure that anybody can access your app regardless of any disabilities they may have…in other words, the broadest range of users possible.  With universal experience design, you want to make sure your app is accessible in the most extensive range of situations possible. Desktop and mobile experience must be comparable, as must online and offline, indoor and outdoor, and any other differences in the environment that you can think of.

Conclusion

Technology is moving at a breakneck pace, and as such, designers need to keep their approach fresh and make sure they’re evolving along with the demands of the market.  You need to continue delivering more advanced solutions each time out, but by following the UX trends discussed above in fields like web design and development, you will be well-oriented to continue delivering advanced solutions that put you on the cutting edge of UX design.