UX (acronym of user experience) refers to the overall experience a user gets from a certain product, mostly used in the context of apps and technology. Trends can be seen in different trends of UX designs that are adapted and appreciated by a significant number of users, based upon which forecasts can be made about the design trends that might be favourable in the near future.
These forecasts help the developers in adapting to the expected changes in UX designs, helping them give a better experience to the users. However, one thing important to note here is that UX is not the same as UI, as often mistaken by many people.
Difference between UX and UI
While User Interface design mostly deals with the outer appearance and interactions of the user, UX deals with the whole functionality and working of the product that shape the user’s experience.
The difference can be better understood by an example. Consider a user who buys an expensive luxury car with breath-taking appearance, stylish and comfortable seats, aesthetic interior, and comfortable steering and gear system. All of this adds up to a brilliant User Interface design of the car. However, despite this perfect UI design, the user experience of the car might still be unsatisfactory if the car doesn’t function properly, lacks a satisfactory shock absorbing system or heats up soon during the summers. So, the UI design of the car might be perfect but UX might not.
UX Designs for 2015 – 16
Following is a list of UX designs you should look out for in the 2015 and beyond.
Personalized User Experience
Personalized User Experience will be more relevant in the upcoming days than it ever was. By tracking users’ activity, a better experience can be given to the user, bettering the odds of customer retention. For this purpose, cookies can be of great help to the developers, if used correctly.
Typography alongside Content
If the previous few years are any indication, content will remain the king, but typography is sure to be the queen for designers in the upcoming days. With Typekit and Google Fonts services, high quality font sets are easily available and designers will surely use them as centrepieces of their designs.
Designing for Wearables Will be Huge
With the biggest IT companies investing in wearables, they have become the trendiest technology around. Here is an opening for UX developers to tap into the potential of wearable interfaces.
Icons over Text
Just like pictures, an icon is also worth great many words. Icons not only make the websites more attractive and readable, they also make the content readily scannable. So the use of icons in different forms such as navigation menus or pointers will soon going to be increased.