User experience (UX) design is a constantly evolving field, and every year brings new trends and technologies that shape the way we interact with digital products. As we head into 2023, there are several key UX design trends that are expected to shape the industry in the coming year. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 of the most notable trends, provide some inspiring quotes and give examples of how they can be applied in practice.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning are becoming more prevalent in digital products, and in 2023, we can expect to see more products that use these technologies to enhance the user experience. For example, a virtual personal shopping assistant that can recommend products based on the user’s preferences and browsing history.
“AI is the new UI” — Bruce Sterling.
2. Microinteractions: Microinteractions are small interactions that take place within a digital product, such as the “like” button on Facebook or the pull-to-refresh gesture on a mobile app. These tiny interactions can have a big impact on the user experience, and they’re becoming increasingly popular in web and mobile design. In 2023, we can expect to see more microinteractions being used to create more engaging and interactive experiences. For example, an e-commerce website could have a feature that allows the user to zoom in on product images by hovering over them.
“Microinteractions are the details that make an interface come alive” — Dan Saffer.
3. Voice-based Interface: With the popularity of virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Home, voice-based interfaces are becoming more mainstream. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use voice commands to interact with users. For example, a smart home device that can be controlled by voice commands to adjust the temperature, lighting, and other settings.
“Voice will be the new touch” — Brian Solis.
4. Motion Design: Motion design is a way of using animation and graphics to create more engaging and dynamic user interfaces. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use motion design to create more immersive and interactive experiences. For example, an app that uses motion design to guide the user through a complex process, such as setting up a new account.
“Motion design is the new black” — Rachel Nabors.
5. Personalized Experience: Personalization is becoming more important in UX design as it allows to create tailored experiences for different users. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use personalization to create unique experiences for different users. For example, a news website that shows different articles based on the user’s browsing history and interests.
“Personalization is the key to unlocking the full potential of the digital experience” — Scott Brinker.
6. Accessibility: As the number of people with disabilities who use digital products increases, accessibility is becoming a more important consideration in UX design. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that are designed to be accessible for users with disabilities, such as screen readers and keyboard navigation. For example, a mobile app that has built-in support for screen readers and high-contrast mode to make it more accessible for users with visual impairments.
“Accessibility is not a feature, it’s a human right” — Whitney Quesenbery.
7. Virtual and Augmented Reality: Virtual and augmented reality technology is becoming more accessible and affordable, and we can expect to see more products that use these technologies to create more immersive and interactive experiences. For example, a virtual reality headset that allows users to explore different environments, or an augmented reality app that superimposes virtual objects on the real world.
“Virtual reality is the next big thing in human-computer interaction” — Mark Zuckerberg.
8. Emotional Design: Emotional design is the use of design elements to evoke emotions in users. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use emotional design to create more engaging and memorable experiences. For example, a mobile game that uses different color schemes and sound effects to create different moods for different levels.
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works” — Steve Jobs.
9. Progressive Web Apps (PWA): Progressive web apps are web applications that work offline and can be installed on a user’s device. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use PWAs to create a more seamless and native-like experience on mobile devices. For example, a weather app that uses a PWA to allow users to access the app offline and receive push notifications.
“A progressive web app is a web app that takes advantage of the latest web technologies to behave like a native app” Alex Russell.
10. Dark Mode: Dark mode is a design trend that uses a dark color scheme to reduce eye strain and improve readability in low light conditions. In 2023, we can expect to see more products that use dark mode to improve the user experience. For example, a social media app that uses dark mode to improve readability and reduce eye strain when using the app at night.
“Dark mode is the future” — Jon Gold.
In conclusion, these are just some of the UX design trends that we can expect to see in 2023. By keeping up with these trends, designers can ensure that their products are relevant, engaging and accessible to users. It’s important to remember that these trends are not set in stone and that as the industry evolves, new trends will emerge. The key is to stay informed and adaptable to these changes, and to always keep the user’s needs and preferences at the forefront of the design process.
