User Interface Design Trends to Improve User Experience
Users have come to expect ease and convenience from the web and mobile interfaces. To keep consumers satisfied, businesses need to be constantly innovating and working towards a better interface. This means keeping up with interface design trends and incorporating these elements into their own web design. If not, users will not hesitate to find another company that can offer a more positive user experience.
Subtle Animation
Subtle animations have the power to bring an old and tired website back to life.
Too much animation can dominate a page or distract users from the more important content. But, a subtle amount of motion can capture attention and boost user engagement by drawing attention to buttons, links, pages, or other elements.
These animations can be applied to the background, call-to-actions, illustrations, icons, transitions, and headings. Adding a simple, yet dynamic motion to a design element will make it much more appealing to users. Companies can choose between an effect that is user-activated or loop on their own.
User-activated might include elements that react when the user hovers the cursor over them or moves when the user scrolls through the page.
Microinteractions
Microinteractions refer to the positive or delightful moments user experiences when using the website or mobile interface. These small moments are designed by companies and built into the platform to solve universal problems. Once the user discovers the micro-interactions, they undergo a moment of pure happiness and content.
As users, we engage with these micro-interactions every day without even realizing it. We expect something to happen when they click, swipe, or push.
On websites, it could be a scroll bar that appears to help users navigate the web page, a progress bar to see how much longer the user needs to wait, or an interactive error page. On mobile applications, micro-interactions can include swiping left to clear a notification, pulling down to refresh the page, or holding down an icon.
In addition to immediate gratification, micro-interactions allow users to save time and clicks.
Large Images
Images have always been an important aspect of web design. Typically, smaller images are strategically placed throughout the website alongside textual content or other elements. But now, larger images are playing a much larger role.
Larger images can be placed in the background of a webpage, with all the other elements layered on top. Or the image can be used on its own as the center of attention.
Background images can create a unique and personal atmosphere for any user interface. Test various background images to make sure it has the desired effect. Then design the remaining elements of the website based on the image. Use contrasting colors to ensure users can distinguish between the background and content.
Images have the ability to draw attention and trigger an emotional response. Companies can use this emotional response to lead users towards a certain goal. A travel agency might put a beautiful beach as their background to entice visitors to plan a trip with them. Or a nonprofit can use a heartwarming photo of their mission to encourage users to donate to the cause.
Variable Fonts
Many small businesses make the mistake of not giving any thought to their use of font. Not only can typography attract users, but also convey an important message about brand personality.
The latest trend in typography is the use of variable fonts. A variable font is one file that offers many options, each with different spacing, heights, widths, and weights.
This will allow companies to adjust the same font to use for different devices, views, orientations, and angles. Each option will allow companies to achieve a different, yet standard appearance.
Dark Mode
One of the most popular user interface trends is dark mode, or dark design. Giving users the option to choose between dark mode and light mode serves to personalize and improve individual user experience.
Many mobile applications offer dark modes already, but more and more web interfaces are beginning to offer this option as well.
From a design perspective, the contrast of a dark background can make accent colors and other design elements stand out. This can bring attention to visuals and text that are important for users.
Aside from looking sleek and modern, dark themes also benefit the user themselves. Dark modes have been shown to reduce eye strain when used in the dark. This is especially true for users with vision impairments. Dark mode can also increase battery life and extend screen lifespan for user devices.
All-in-all, a percentage of users have shown a great liking for the dark mode. A dark mode option will increase user engagement and improve user experience for those select users.
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