UI in 2021 (What to expect)
5 predicted UI design trends for 2021
Sequel to my previous post on predicted UX trends for 2021, this write up looks at possible trends to be expected in User interface design for 2021.
Let’s get right into it
1. Dark theme UI design
Ever since it’s re-emergence in 2010 with the windows phone 7, it has gone on to become the new normal for many digital products. Contrary to belief, it is not a new design trend, but one that has been around for a while and has now regained its popularity once more. It finds its origin from old monochrome CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors which displayed green text on black screens.
With widespread adoption, many digital products now either come dark themed by default or give users the option of switching between both themes. Major tech giants incorporating the trend into their suite of products is one of the influencing factors as to why it became widely adopted. (Apple with iOS 13 and above, Facebook with Instagram, messenger and WhatsApp, Microsoft with Windows 10, etc). The other reasons for its acceptance isn’t just in its aesthetic feel, but also because it is energy saving, viewable at almost any brightness level, friendly to the eye and significantly helps to preserve battery 🔋 life. Well as for the question of whether or not it will last, I think we already know the answer and for those still in doubt, wait till you see it adoption rate double or even triple this year alone.
2. Glassmorphism
Ah, the rookie from the morphism family, not much of a rookie though seeing that it has been around since the days of Windows Vista and iOS 7 and just as dark themes is beginning to regain popularity. For those of you who don’t know what Glassmorphism is,
Glassmorphism is simply the manipulation of design elements to give them a glasslike look and feel.
Sometime last year the design world began to see it resurface. I mean it literally exploded and everywhere you looked you were sure to see something Glassmorphism related. Designers attempted mastery at creating the effect with post popping up on social media and design showcase platforms every other minute. As for the question of whether it’s here to stay this time, we can’t say for sure, but skeptics believe that just as before, it’s only temporary and like its brother before, it will eventually meet the same faith but there’s the other side that believe it is here and it is staying. Which side it’ll prove wrong we don’t know, we can only wait to find out.
3. 3D elements
3D is catchy, 3D is engaging, 3D rapidly gained popularity to become one of the hottest and must have trend in today’s UI’s, since it started to see application in 2019, and has skyrocketed in rate of use across many digital products. Be it illustrations, graphics or icons, the photorealistic and endearing effect it brings to an interface is very hard to pass up. Given, it has its cons, like requiring high data speeds to load properly, the advantages it brings to the table surpass its disadvantage. This advantages include;
- Presenting a photorealistic model which accurately represents and communicates its reason for use
- Being a useful alternative for when desired images are very difficult to find
With its explosive rise in popularity, it is no question that’s 3D is going to be around for a long time.
4. Voice User Interface (VUI)
Voice User Interface, or VUI for short isn’t new, infact it has been around for quite sometime now and early applications of VUI included voice-activated dialing of phones, but now of recent, includes voice command in cars, Siri on iPhone and the MacBook 💻 , assistant on google, Alexa on echo, bixby on Samsung, etc just to name a few that leverage this principle of human computer interaction.
To define it,
VUI is the process of human computer interaction, using voice. It entails communication with systems and products using voice command and speech recognition to understand and give responses to inputs accordingly, most time in our natural language.
The major advantage of voice UIs is that it allows for accessibility for the blind which is a very important issue when it come to human centered design. Until recently, this area was considered to be based on artificial intelligence. However, advances in technologies like text-to-speech, Natural Language Processing, etc has proved that to not be the case. VUIs present a seemingly new way to look at interface design. The value that this hands free, eye free interfaces brings to the table is immense and what would have formally warranted you to open your browser is now a simple “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri” away.
5. Minimalism
The undisputed king of today’s UI. Finding origin in Germany and influenced by the simple designs of the Dutch movement “De Stijl”. Originally lost but later rediscovered to become a norm in the late 20th century. Following the “less is more” rule, and characterized by the subtle use of fine lines, geometric shapes, short and concise texts with well-selected typography, adequate amount of white space, hidden content, accessible by clicking on abstract symbols (icons), and barely noticeable graphics is the whole idea of minimalism. Minimal design, though they may looking simple, are surprisingly complex, but when used right, it provides the perfect combination of aesthetics and usability, leading to an intuitive and excellent user experience.
6. Realities (augmented and virtual)
Is no news that realities have become the next big thing. Be it augmented or virtual and this fact was further solidified when the COVID pandemic hit. In 2020 alone the use of virtual reality for operations other than gaming increased, and augmented reality which has been around since the days of Snapchat began to see more advanced usage other than cute photo filters. With application of this technologies now being introduced into other sectors, it won’t be long now before it begins to find use and serve different purposes in our everyday lives, most of which we have already started to see and experience.
So to bring this article to a close, the design trends to be expected this year, are, should I say inexhaustible but the fact is, it’s not the amount of trends we get to see that matter, but their relevance in terms of use and duration of stay.
Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions in the comment section below and if you feel there’s any trend I’ve missed out that should be have been mentioned here, do let me know. Till next time✌🏽
