User experience has never been more important than it is today. 61% of users report they’ll leave a site and look for an alternative if they don’t like the layout. 50% say they’re less likely to do business with a company if they don’t like their website or app, even if they’re a fan.
A negative user experience can even turn a fan against you. 52% of users say a bad mobile experience makes them less likely to engage with a company.
We’re moving towards a more customer-centric, human approach to business and technology. Here are some UX design trends that’ll help you deliver what your audience wants and needs.
1. Voice UI
Voice search and control is reaching the tipping point. It’s commonplace to the point of becoming mainstream. Ignoring voice-powered UI is no longer an option.
Currently, nearly 35% of American households own a smart speaker. That number is predicted to rise to 75% by 2025. You’re going to have to integrate voice search sooner or later.
No time like the present.
Towards the end of 2019, Amazon aired a commercial showing an older man and how he’s able to make use of his smart speaker. It was part of their “Sharing is Caring” campaign, showcasing how smart technology can be integrated into regular, everyday life.
Expect to see a lot more of this type of technology in the coming year.
2. Custom Graphics
There are a lot of apps vying for hard drive space on users’ devices. How is a business supposed to stand out?
Customized graphics are an easy way for brands to showcase their uniqueness. It also helps them connect and relate with their audience, forging a critical bond that leads to enhanced brand loyalty and trust.
Think of the Google doodles as one example of customized graphics and how they appear in our day-to-day lives. Brands will likely follow suit, offering customized graphics that are updated regularly. This also makes users feel more engaged and connected with your app or website.
For example, the Summer Olympics are happening in Tokyo in 2020. You can expect that many companies and brands will be making graphics featuring kanji characters or other recognizable Japanese aesthetics. You might want to get started early if you’re hoping to get on that UX design trend.
3. More Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) has been growing in popularity with each passing year. Pokemon Go showed advertisers and marketers that AR is a viable business strategy. Business owners figured out it was an easy way to get people talking about their companies.
Augmented reality has had its barriers to more widespread adoption, however. The tech just wasn’t quite there for a while. It was like the virtual version of the ’90s CGI.
Technology has finally hit a point where AR is becoming more seamless and integrated with our lives. AR technology has become more comfortable, more natural. That makes it more than likely that 2020 is the year we’re going to see AR go mainstream.
4. Motion Graphics
Mobile networks are finally getting fast enough to support demanding visual media, such as video or motion graphics. The rolling out of 5G is going to revolutionize the way we think about and develop UI for websites and apps alike.
The rise of motion graphics is going to influence the entire digital ecosystem. This means that apps and websites with static images are going to seem stale and boring. It’ll be like one of the paintings at Hogwarts versus a regular old portrait.
You should start developing your motion graphics UI now before everyone else does.
5. Less-Contrast Gradient
We’ve seen a rise in single color designs in recent years on the graphic design side of design trends. A gradient is a way to introduce some subtle action and drama to your graphics while still allowing your design to be minimal.
Too much of a gradient can become distracting, however. It also can appear slightly tacky when you’re going for slick and minimal. A subtle gradient, however, adds the drama without over-complicating your visual design.
6. Optimized for Speed
People have a short attention span for dealing with technology. It’s only gotten more extreme as the years have gone on. 53% of users will leave a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load.
These expectations are only going to get more extreme with the onset of 5G.
A slow-loading website is perceived as bad UX. Considering that user experience is an increasingly important metric in how websites are ranked, you simply cannot afford to overlook these kinds of expectations.
Do everything in your power to make sure your apps and websites are loading as quickly as possible. Avoid bloat and embrace minimalist designs and programming. Make sure that every line of code has a purpose and that you’re using everything to the fullest of its abilities.
UX trends is only going to become more important as the years progress, as technology continues to become intertwined and entangled with how we live our daily lives.
Use These UX Design Trends
Your business isn’t like anyone else’s. You’re unique, with so much to share with the world and your audience. You’ve just got to get out there so people can find you and realize it.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about this year’s UX design trends, contact us today to see how we can help bring your 2020 website vision into focus.
