Top 10 UI/UX Design Trends Shaping User Experience in 2024
The landscape of UI/UX design is ever-evolving, shaped by new technologies, changing user behaviours, and emerging design philosophies. As we enter 2024, designers must stay ahead of the curve to deliver user experiences that are not only functional but also delightful and cutting-edge.
In this post, we’ll break down five common UI/UX mistakes that may be hurting your website’s performance and offer tips on how to fix them.
1. Immersive 3D and Interactive Visuals
In 2024, we’ll see more brands integrating 3D elements and interactive visuals into their user interfaces. With advances in browser technology and more widespread access to high-speed internet, 3D assets no longer slow down user experiences. Instead, they enhance them.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Deeper engagement: 3D graphics create more immersive experiences, drawing users in with visual depth and interactivity.
- 2. Improved product representation: E-commerce platforms, in particular, benefit from 3D modelling, allowing users to rotate, zoom, and explore products as if they were handling them in person.
- 3. Striking aesthetics: 3D elements create a futuristic, dynamic look that can set brands apart.
Example:
A virtual furniture store where users can place 3D models of sofas and tables into a digital room, rotate them, and change their colours in real-time. This interaction helps users feel more confident in their purchasing decisions.
2. AI-Powered Personalization
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic for years, but in 2024, we’ll see even more powerful AI-driven personalisation in UI/UX design. Websites and apps will adapt their layout, content, and suggestions based on user behaviour and preferences, creating truly customised experiences.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Hyper-personalization: AI enables brands to deliver content, product recommendations, and features tailored to each user’s needs and habits.
- 2. Increased engagement: When users feel like a product understands their preferences and anticipates their needs, they’re more likely to stay engaged and loyal to the brand.
- 3. Enhanced user flow: AI-driven interfaces can predict and streamline user journeys, making navigation faster and more intuitive.
Example:
A streaming service uses AI to suggest movies based on past viewing habits and curate personalised sections of the homepage that align with a user’s mood and time of day, enhancing the overall experience.
3. Dark Mode and Dynamic Themes
Dark mode has grown from a niche feature into a mainstream expectation, becoming a must-have for any digital product. In 2024, dark mode will continue to dominate, but dynamic themes will also gain traction, allowing users to personalise their experience further.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. User preference: Many users prefer dark mode for its reduced eye strain, especially during nighttime usage.
- 2. Energy efficiency: For OLED screens, dark mode can save battery life by reducing the number of lit pixels.
- 3. Customization and accessibility: Dynamic themes allow users to switch between light, dark, or custom themes based on their preferences, giving them more control over their experience.
Example:
A productivity app automatically switches to dark mode in the evening based on the user's local time, reducing eye strain and improving the user experience during nighttime use.
4. Micro-Interactions and Delightful Animations
Micro-interactions—subtle, momentary animations triggered by user actions—have become a staple of modern UI design. In 2024, designers will take micro-interactions to the next level, focusing on functional feedback and adding moments of delight that enhance user satisfaction.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Feedback and clarity: Micro-interactions provide instant feedback to users, letting them know their action has been recognised (e.g., a “like” button animation).
- 2. Engagement and joy: Thoughtfully designed animations add an element of surprise and delight to an otherwise routine experience, making the interface more engaging.
- 3. Smoother transitions: Animations help smooth the transition between pages, states, or actions, making interactions feel seamless.
Example:
A travel app uses subtle animations when users book a flight, such as a paper aeroplane flying across the screen or a boarding pass sliding into view, adding an emotional layer to the experience.
5. Augmented Reality (AR) Integration
While virtual reality (VR) remains more niche, Augmented Reality (AR) is quickly becoming a mainstream UI/UX design tool. AR overlays digital elements in the real world, creating interactive experiences that bridge physical and digital spaces.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Enhanced product experiences: AR is used in the retail, e-commerce, and real estate industries to offer interactive previews of products and environments.
- 2. Engagement and novelty: AR offers unique, immersive experiences that capture users’ attention and keep them engaged longer.
- 3. Better decision-making: For the fashion and home decor industries, AR allows users to "try on" clothes or see how furniture will fit in their homes before buying.
Example:
A cosmetic brand integrates AR into its website, allowing users to apply virtual makeup using their phone's camera to see how different products look in real time. This makes the online shopping experience more interactive and helps users make informed choices..
6. Voice User Interfaces (VUI) and Conversational Design
Voice search and voice-based interfaces are gaining momentum as smart speakers and voice assistants become more prevalent in homes and devices. In 2024, Voice User Interfaces (VUI) will be more prominent in UI/UX design, offering users hands-free, natural interaction methods.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. More intuitive interaction: Voice commands offer a natural and fast way for users to interact with apps and devices, especially for those with disabilities or those looking for a more accessible interface.
- 2. Hands-free convenience: Voice interactions allow users to multitask, improving user experience for busy individuals.
- 3. Growing AI capabilities: Advances in natural language processing (NLP) enable voice assistants to understand and respond to complex user queries, making VUI more reliable and valuable.
Example:
A mobile banking app integrates voice commands, allowing users to check balances, transfer money, or review transactions through spoken requests rather than tapping through multiple screens.
7. Skeuomorphism 2.0 (Neomorphism)
Skeuomorphism, a design trend from the early days of digital interfaces, has returned as neomorphism (or soft UI). This trend combines the realistic, tactile qualities of skeuomorphism with modern design's flat, minimalist aesthetics, creating a balance between real-world inspiration and digital sleekness.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Subtle 3D effects: Neomorphism uses soft shadows and highlights to give UI elements a subtle 3D effect, creating a sense of depth while maintaining a minimalist look.
- 2. Tactile engagement: Buttons and other interactive elements appear to rise from or sink into the background, making them feel more physically and intuitive.
- 3. Modern nostalgia: This trend evokes the nostalgia of early UI design while updating it with clean, modern aesthetics.
Example:
A music app uses a neuromorphic design for its play, pause, and skip buttons, which appear to be subtly raised from the interface, inviting users to interact with them tactilely.
8. Inclusive and Accessible Design
Accessibility has been a critical topic in UI/UX design for years, but in 2024, inclusive design will take centre stage. Designers will focus not only on meeting minimum accessibility standards but also on creating products usable by a diverse range of people with different needs and abilities.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Wider reach: Designing for accessibility ensures that everyone, including users with disabilities, can use digital products, expanding your potential audience.
- 2. Legal requirements: Many countries have stringent accessibility laws, making business compliance necessary.
- 3. User empathy: By designing inclusively, brands show they care about all their users, not just a select few, improving brand loyalty and trust.
Example:
An e-commerce website offers multiple ways to navigate (e.g., keyboard navigation, voice search, and screen reader support). It ensures that all content is accessible to users with disabilities, making the shopping experience inclusive for everyone.
9. Minimalism with a Focus on Functionality
In 2024, minimalism in UI/UX design will continue to thrive, emphasising functionality over pure aesthetics. This trend prioritises clarity, ease of use, and purposeful design, stripping away unnecessary elements while ensuring that essential functions remain easy to access.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. User focus: Simplified designs eliminate distractions and allow users to focus on the app or website's core functionality and content.
- 2. Faster load times: Minimalist designs often reduce the number of elements and code, leading to faster load times and a better overall user experience.
- 3. M3obile-first design: With limited screen space on mobile devices, minimalist designs ensure users can quickly and easily interact with key features.
Example:
A note-taking app opts for a clean, distraction-free interface, where only the most essential functions—like adding, organising, and searching notes—are immediately visible, providing a seamless user experience.
10. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Design
In an era where consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental impact, 2024 will see the rise of sustainable design practices in UI/UX. This trend focuses on minimising the digital carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly principles in the design process.
Why It’s Trending:
- 1. Environmentally conscious users: Many users now prefer to interact with brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.
- 2. Efficient design: Sustainable UI/UX design optimises images, reduces code bloat, and ensures efficient website and app performance to save energy.
- 3. Minimal digital footprint: Eco-friendly design helps reduce the environmental impact of digital products by minimising data transfer and energy consumption.
Example:
A website focused on sustainability not only uses green branding but also optimises its design for low energy consumption, including lightweight images, efficient code, and reduced data transfer.
Capping off 2024 Design Trends
2024 promises to be an exciting year for UI/UX design, with trends that focus on creating more immersive, personalised, and accessible experiences. From AI-driven personalisation to sustainability-conscious design, adapting to user needs while embracing new technologies and design philosophies is key to staying relevant.
By incorporating these trends into your digital products, you’ll be well-positioned to deliver standout user experiences that engage, delight, and retain your audience in the year ahead.
Damilola May
Founder of Branxl Design Studio, Damilola is a product designer passionate about mentoring creatives and building impactful digital tools. With a focus on innovative design, Damilola empowers individuals and businesses by crafting user-centric solutions that elevate brands and experiences.