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If you’re one of the millions of people working from home in the COVID-19 pandemic, you know how useful apps can be during these tough times. You resort to apps to maintain a social life and get the job done. Now, it’s more important than ever to get access to information. Apps play an important role in ensuring that people can resume their normal activities from home. App developers, large and small, have reacted and they’re coding all day long. Technology is now deployed to tackle the impacts caused by the novel coronavirus.
The question now is: Is it even worth discussing the trends? Society will soon return to normal life, even though there will be certain limits. So, yes, it’s worth looking forward to the upcoming app design trends. We’re not quite sure what happened to 2020, but when it comes down to app design trends, we know that things have changed in the recent past and there have been some great improvements. Keep on reading to learn more about the state of apps.
One-of-a-kind illustrations
An illustration is practically a visual representation of a concept, text, or process. Given that app users are visual creatures, the info should be accompanied by some pictures or photos. Illustrations can boost usability, not to mention the emotional and visual appeal of the user interface. They clarify things, so the message will be compelling even if words aren’t used. The role of visuals is growing in app design; so, if you want your product to be successful, don’t consider design a minor aspect.
Illustrations are functional elements. They help minimize the cognitive load, meaning that the app doesn’t offer too much information at once. Illustrations can take the form of theme images, rewards, onboarding tutorials, marketing stuff, social networking pages, etc. Illustrations in apps are going to be big in 2020. They feel more organic as compared to photos. If you provide users images that feel organic, you’re sure to win them over.
Voice-enabled search
It will be long before revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality will be embedded in apps. For the time being, we mostly rely on voice-enabled search. Voice search makes it easy for the user to search an app using just the power of voice. Conversational interfaces have been trendy for some time now. More and more app design experts are focusing their attention on conversational technologies that can boost interactions between users and apps.
Voice-enabled search is more practical because it enables users to give quick commands. If you give your app voice control support, it can perform various tasks within a short time frame. For example, it can play music, track activity, or write down chores. All that users have to do is click the microphone and get the screen to activate the feature in question. They can call or text friends and family, receive directions, play videos, or find nearby hotels.
Simplified user interface
App design firms have a preference for creating simplified user interfaces that help quick decision-making. A simplified user interface plays a key role in enhancing efficiency and boosting time. It’s beneficial for software and hardware alike. Key features of simplified graphic design include but aren’t limited to:
● Blank screen space
● Clarity and functionality in UI/UX
● Elements of minimalism (eliminating all non-essential features and functions)
It’s the job of the app designer to remove the guesswork and make the interface more predictable and, of course, easier to use. Review the copy and see if there happens to be a repetition or too many words. If yes, try to be clearer and more succinct. Most importantly, get user feedback. The system reacts and produces output, which is why you’ll want to make sure that it ensures a pleasant experience.
Color overload
Users often complain that apps lack creativity. Well, things are about to change this year because 2020 is going to be the most colorful year ever. App designers include almost every color of the rainbow into their work. Purple, pink, and blue are some of the most popular choices. Maybe you have trouble deciding on a color scheme. Your indecisiveness is understandable given that there are so many possible color combinations.
Select colors that pop up against dark backgrounds such as yellow. Try to avoid pure white. No matter the elements concerned, whether icons or text, you should use a color that is clear and legible against the color behind it. When making a decision about the color scheme, don’t go with traditional palettes. It’s better to stick with vibrant colors because they show off the device’s true potential. Use as many tones, shades, and tints of a color as you like.
Dark mode
Users spend most of their time looking at their phones or tablets. The dark mode boosts visual ergonomics, not to mention that it reduces eye strain. This year, app designers have to follow the trends in mobile device usage and concentrate on the dark mode. They must understand that apps are hard to see for a long time and can cause health problems. Pure black is mobile-friendly and there’s no way around it. Check out the most used parts in the light mode. This will help you identify the elements used throughout the app and isolate remaining gaps.
If you want you can use neon and glowing gradients to make the most important elements stand out. Keep in mind that the small details are the ones that make all the difference. The icons and images, for instance, communicate messages that seem unimportant but actually carry weight. These details must be updated to support the darker world.
So, dark themes are hot when it comes to app design. They used to be rare, but users won’t settle for anything less now. Creating a dark theme is indeed difficult. However, it’s not an impossible undertaking. Black is the most popular color in women’s wear and now it’s dominating mobile app design. It’s something you need to implement in your design.
