A new year means new trends, here are the top 10 trends in UI/UX development and how they can be implemented. As consumers interact with the online world more than ever in 2022, being ahead of the curve can help content stand out. Let’s take a look at the top 10 UI/UX design trends for 2022.
UI/user interface
1) Vintage, 90s
I guess it’s true what they say; everything old is new again! In the last months of 2021, the 90s have made a big comeback in everything from fashion to interior design and now also web design. Some elements of this style are a mix of bright and pastel colors, shadows, linear graphics, serif fonts, and round text elements. In the immortal words of Taylor Swift, “I’m coming back stronger than a 90s trend.”
Source: More
2) Parchment
A portmanteau of the words “scrollying” and “telling”; scrollytelling is exactly what it sounds like! A story is told to the user when scrolling through a continuous page. Considering that much of what we do on our mobile devices involves scrolling (sometimes with no end in sight), this trend is a natural next step.
Source: Bluemarine Foundation
3) 3D animations and 3D
3D design is a trend that has been on the rise over the years, but will hit its peak this year! Whether it’s Apple showcasing its new device concepts through 3D animation, or automotive websites showcasing their model cars, 3D animation can be invaluable in showing off every aspect of a new product. 3D animation will be most popular in e-commerce, architecture, and business, and will also pop up in fashion, education, and culture.
Source: Renault Originals Museum
4) Minimalism
Since the days of Marie Kondo and getting rid of objects that “don’t spark joy,” minimalism has been a rapidly growing trend, and 2022 is no exception. Minimalism is all about free space, contrasting text, graphic elements and space. Minimalism is simple and free from distractions and appeals to the user.
Source: Neuro
5) Brutalism
Opposed to the aforementioned trend towards minimalism, we have brutalism. Brutalism is chaotic and attention-grabbing (and perhaps a little headache-inducing). It consists of huge headlines, bold fonts, and bright, neon colors splashed all over the webpage. It’s about creativity and challenging the usual design rules. It is sure to attract attention in 2022.
Source: MSG
UX/user experience
1) AR/VR
Not surprisingly, augmented and virtual reality trends will extend to UX designs. Since Meta announced that the Metaverse and Oculus VR headsets (which are also owned by Meta) are coming out with new versions and growing in popularity, it makes sense that AR and VR trends extend to web design as well. The greatest practical application is in e-commerce. Ikea has launched Ikea Place, where you can place furniture in your home via VR before buying it. The AR/VR trend will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come; especially as the Metaverse gains traction in the future.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
2) audio only
Music giant Spotify has launched a live audio app, called Greenroom. Greenroom allows creators to interact with fans in real time, creating rooms, selecting speakers and discussing topics. With podcasts and audiobooks at an all-time high, coupled with security concerns over messaging communication and a healthy hint of disregard for video calling, it only makes sense that audio-only apps are popping up. It is also easy and does not require any link or registration. Where tech giants like Spotify lead, other companies are sure to follow.
Source: Spotify
3) Personalization
From customizing app features such as the name, appearance, and color of chats on social media sites like Instagram or Facebook to customizing almost every feature on a smartphone, the past few years have been huge for environment customization. Where frequent and long-term interactions are expected, this 2022 trend is a great option.
Source: Instagram, Telegram
4) Mobile-first design
With smartphone sales reaching 1.53 billion in 2021 and with the portability of smartphones, it’s no surprise that consumers prefer to interact with websites through their mobile devices. UX developers can take advantage of this by using the chatbot and push notifications, keeping only the necessary elements, designing a friendly call-to-action to drive sales, and most importantly, keeping it simple. This trend is a safe bet since it is guaranteed to grow exponentially in the years to come.
Source: Statista
5) Page speed prioritization
Going hand in hand with mobile design, 2022 will focus on prioritizing page speed. It might seem like a no-brainer, but in a world where fast content consumption is expected, fast page speeds should be a given. Websites should be optimized so that photos and videos don’t slow down the page when loading. One way to improve page speed is to use small fonts, and only one per title and one per body text. This is especially true for startup sites looking to build an audience (which can never happen if users immediately jump ship due to slow load times). Google’s algorithms love well-optimized, high-ranking pages. This means that it is the responsibility of the designer to create a well-optimized page without sacrificing design. Whether you’re new to UI/UX or a seasoned pro, these trends are sure to help you get creative.
