Latest UX design trends that will grow further in 2018

Significant updates in user experience (UX) enables businesses to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide. UX design encompasses the traditional-computer interaction or HCI design. The past year witnessed a big revolution in the UX design domain. And it appears that the most significant UX design trends are here to stay and followed this year, too.

The edge for any business these days is to provide the best user experience — together with designing a top quality site or application to a brand. The design features should not only attract the target audience but also provide them with a better option for natural interaction. Simply put, users must have a wonderful time while interacting with the website or application. UX design trends foster innovation which leads to further growth of an organisation. As the expectations of users for a simple, seamless experience continue to grow, particularly for services or products with complicated functionality, user experience has become an increasingly vital component of success.

Check out the following UX design trends that are dominating this year and are set to evolve in 2018.

Magic of mobile-first design

The approach of opting a mobile-first design was outlined in 2009 by Luke Wroblewski. It is all about creating designs for mobiles such as smartphones, tablets and others first, then taking a laptop, desktop as well as other larger screens. Once a mobile site is developed, one could add as many features as one wants on a desktop version. While the concept seems to be simple, it is not that easy to implement since it needs a change in the whole design process.

Nevertheless, the mobile-first design has ample benefits to outdo the fear of design process changes. The sales of mobile devices have grown across the board with more than 85 percent of new handsets that could access the mobile web. Keep in mind that mobile devices, mainly smartphones, have made it easy to carry the World Wide Web in the pockets nowadays. Thus, the mobile-first design trend is sure to continue to grow over months to come.

Potential of a layered-flat design

Lately, designers, as well as customers, have begun choosing flat designs that are clean, simple, modern and colorful. Due to the simpler interface with responsive layout, flat design beautifully lends itself to any use, whether mobile or desktop. Although flat designs look wonderful when made within the minimalism restraints, they could also handle much complexity. These design types have clarity and crispness that could be achieved only through stripping away the iconic three-dimensional effects. The popularity of flat design is growing, whether building a website or application. The flat design is simple but elegant. It doesn’t necessarily require one to use extra effects like drop shadows or 3D to impress visitors. Flat is simply flat, without added features.

User-centered design to rule the roost

Simply, a user-centered design or UCD is a design that focuses on the wants, needs and limitations of end users. The UCD idea has grown out of ‘humanism’, which could be traced back to Ancient Greece and the early Christians who value individual differences. It’s about time that designers take into consideration the user centered UX design approach as the customers need as well as technology are evolving much faster than ever before. Most organisations, big or small, all are convinced that innovation has indeed become extremely elusive. The best thing do is to establish empathy with users and make models to examine complex business concerns. Make sure that the final design of a website is user-centered since this is the sole key to success in the coming years.

Content-focused design is the new Oprah

With businesses and startups started noticing a surge in website traffic through the simple usage of a content-focused approach, the content-focused design strategy has started making waves in the UX design industry this year. Rather than going the conventional way of website designing and then fitting in content into it, consider a content-focused design. A content-focused approach is not just for a website with substantial content but minimising all extra buttons, ads and sidebars is the primary requirement for all sites, so they do not interfere while a visitor goes throughout the content. Bear in mind that organisation is the key here. Make sure that the web page is laid out in such a way that vital elements pop up. A content rich website gives an impression that selling a product is not the only aim. A business would want to build relationship and trust with customers. That is why this content-focused design trend would go a long way in boosting leads and growing a business. Consider this trend and see that it pays off.

Rise of parallax scrolling

A parallax scrolling function would give a creative edge over others in the marketplace. This is a hot trend that appears to be gaining momentum with every passing day, and thus, a lot of designers are seen using to draw their audience. Each time a user moves the mouse, there would be something new for the user to know about. This new development offers an opportunity to business owners to relay their message easily. A product could be displayed in 3D, which would give a wonderful impression to visitors. Moreover, customers could also be involved in the whole process of storytelling via making them stop at some points. One of the greatest benefits of parallax scrolling is that it helps reduce bounce rate. A parallax site also provides users a different experience which compels them to remain on the page for a longer time.