5 trends in UI design that we’re taking with us to 2018
Hi again! If you’ve read my last story, you’re probably wondering: “Is it like… The same article?”
For those of you, who are new to design and use these terms interchangeably or maybe not designers at all, here’s a link to an entire website that explains the differences between UI and UX. As for the short answer:
- User Experience (UX) design — he/she makes sure that the product is convenient to use.
- User Interface (UI) design — he/she makes sure that the product calls for positive emotions through aesthetics (beautiful).
Now, as we checked off the question above, it’s time to take a look at UI trends that are coming with us to 2018. The following list is my subjective observation of the current situation in the industry, so you have a full right for an argument.
1. Retro-Futurism
A well-known fact — fashion is cyclic: mustache, colorful hair, hippies… Even emo is somehow cool again. Turns out digital design is keen for fashion cycles just like everything else: retro games, web punk and now retro-futurism is trendy again. Dark interfaces with neon elements are taking a new spin, yet remind of something so familiar.
2. Color Overlays
High quality image shots with the right composition used on a website is a 50% guarantee that the website’s look will be at least not eye hurting. On the other hand, making a good looking website with a hero image shot on the client’s Nokia flip-phone is rather a task for David Copperfield than a designer.
3. White squared layouts
Your typical client will tell you how they could have pasted a couple of images and text on the white background in Squarespace themselves, and probably ask why they should pay you $15K for it… You’ve had such client, don’t shy away.
Everyone, who has ever related to the creative field knows that making a clean design with white interface that truly stands out is the top of the mark in the field. You can only get it right if you have reached the Adobe Enlightenment through mastering fundamental rules that truly distinguish a good creative work: alignment, optical balance and Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Ratio). Those, who have mastered all three in their work get to m̶o̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶ ̶B̶u̶d̶d̶h̶i̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶e̶m̶p̶l̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶T̶i̶b̶e̶t̶a̶n̶ ̶m̶o̶u̶n̶t̶a̶i̶n̶s̶ be featured on Behance.
While web designers have been playing around alignment and ratios between elements forever, most of the web layouts until today stick to a squared container, aligning all the elements inside to either left, right or center. The new CSS layout features allowed designers to play with multiple layers of square containers flexibly and responsively, so more designs with unconventional layouts are to come.
4. Oversized text backgrounds
In fact, oversized type has been in the commercial design since the middle of last century. Yet, web designers adopted them very recently and they’re not going away just yet.
5. Animation
Even though animation is not exactly a UI element, designing an interface out of the context of interaction is impossible. Animation in user interface has become the key feature that makes a great design differ from just a design. UX/UI designers today spend more time in After Effects than in Sketch. With two competitors to Sketch launching this year, we’re promised to be able to make more beautiful interactive animations right within the interface of the design applications. One thing is for sure: we will inevitably see even more beautiful animated interactions next year.
Now, if you’re looking for someone to put your business website on par with time, check out Outsourcity — the best fluid agency on the West Coast. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Behance.
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