If a mobile application does not conform to the latest design trends, it may lose users’ interest.
Given that trends are never the same and there are always new ones, making apps look modern and beautiful can be challenging. But following design trends is a must for every application developer.
We understand that it is not always possible to keep track of all trends and trends in the industry. There are always new tutorials, animated content, videos, new illustration methods, and many other concepts that you need to take the time to research and test first.
Top 10 Design Trends: What to expect in 2022
We’ve done this task for you and gathered 10 design trends and ideas to use in 2022 to make your application design stand out:
- Motion and animation
- Gestures and swiping
- 90s style
- The depth of the graphics
- The dark pattern
- typography
- Augmented reality and virtual reality
- Gradients and transparent elements
Let’s find and study each trend more carefully.
Motion and animation
We all love watching videos and spend a lot of time on TikTok or YouTube. Video content and animation are more engaging and interactive.
Statistics show that most people watch explanatory videos before using apps. Trends in animation and motion design make content more engaging. It’s easier to use this information when you have an actual example in front of you. Unlike static content with lengthy descriptions, animations retain the user’s attention and make the application more appealing.
It’s always a good idea to use animated trends to highlight what’s important. For example, you can animate buttons in your application to make the user’s interaction with your application better and more direct. Microactions such as icon animations can significantly change your application.
With animation, you can emphasize application features, increase conversion rates, and even increase sales.
Explore advanced animation: Simple actions are no longer suitable for users. Use more complex transitions and differentiate animation methods.
Source: dribble
Gestures and swiping
In contrast to computers, gestures and swipes make mobile devices more attractive. Plus, swiping is more fun.
We spend hours scrolling and swiping cards every day. Buttons and other actions can be stimulating and distracting.
This design trend has become one of the highest priorities in modern application design. Some application creators don’t even support buttons at all. Buttons can be confusing and take up too much screen space. Gesture design trends suggest replacing buttons with a sliding function.
It’s helpful to try animating a sliding motion. For example, book applications often use animation to turn pages.
Source: dribble
90s style
The ’90s style influenced everything, even mobile app design.
The designers used retro fonts, graphics and graphics similar to popular ’90s PlayStation games (e.g., Mario or Pac-Man). With a ’90s vibe, you have a chance to capture the interests of two generations: young people like retro things, while older people experience nostalgia.
This trend won’t work for all products, but if the retro style works for your application, by all means try it.
Source: dribble
The depth of the graphics
Graphic design and graphics can be more rigorous and direct, unless they become dull. People like to see more realistic and interactive content.
The shadows and layers in the graphics give them a 3D effect, volume and depth so that people can enjoy a more realistic image.
This trend can be applied to any element, creating a hierarchy of objects on the screen and helping users navigate the application more easily.
A few words about 3D. 3D is a revolutionary technology. 3D graphics can be used in almost any application. For example, developers can use 3D imaging to build applications that store maps of buildings and room interiors. It can be very adaptable to the game and change the overall experience of the player. Therefore, consider 3D trends when adding depth to graphics in your application.
Source: dribble
The dark pattern
Dark mode is one of the biggest design trends that is already highly used in many applications. More recently, developers have offered the opportunity to switch between standard mode and dark mode in their applications. So users can choose which one they like best.
Dark theme design changes the background to dark mode and lightens/whitens the font and other elements.
Dark mode, for example, is now available in the most popular apps like Facebook. Switching to dark mode helps people reduce eye strain and navigate more easily.
Source: dribble
typography
Choosing the right font is an essential step in mobile application design. People scan content on the Internet; They don’t read. Therefore, it is worth using a font that sets the emphasis correctly.
Designers have begun to use unusual fonts. The text no longer looks boring and doesn’t get lost in the background. The aim is to make the design brighter and more original.
The correct choice of font will help:
- Setting the tone and mood;
- Improve brand awareness;
- Provide a better visual experience;
- Improve readability.
Provide a pleasant and readable user experience for your application users by organizing typography: set dot size, line spacing, line length, trace, and hierarchy.
Keep in mind that unusual, “crazy” typography is not for every product. Define the functions that text carries in your application. Don’t experiment too much with fonts if it provides additional informational capabilities. But, for example, in an online magazine, you can use formatting to make the layout more interesting.
Source: dribble
Augmented reality and virtual reality
Virtual reality and augmented reality give you the opportunity to have interactive experiences through your mobile phone. The app design trend was particularly immersed during the lockdown, replacing the actual activity of people sitting at home.
In the coming year, this magical UI mobile design trend is likely to grow and spread. The key to this design trend is that the interface of the application makes you feel like you’re inside the application. Engaging design elements and gamification are key to this experience.
This is a great opportunity to incorporate trends we discussed earlier, such as animation and 3D effects. First, carefully crafted animation and 3D touch can support VR in your application design.
Do you remember those fascinating filters on Instagram that allowed us to place different characters wherever we wanted through apps and mobile cameras? Then you’ll see how much fun this is. Besides, it is not only interesting but also efficient. For example, IKEA uses AR to show how a piece of furniture looks in different locations in your home.
Source: IKEA Plaza app
Gradients and transparent elements
This application design trend is all about gradients and transparency. Designers often use gradients for buttons and backgrounds in applications. Mobile gradients highlight important parts of the application and give people a sense of hierarchy by focusing on specific aspects.
Elements of transparency in mobile application design demonstrate depth and attention to certain parts of the application, making the design clearer and more attractive.
You can use a transition design from light to dark themes to divide the screen into two logical parts. In addition, you can use gradient themes on buttons to make them pop up on the screen.
The concept of glass forms is also worth mentioning. The idea behind Glassmorphism is to soften the contrast between light and dark design elements. The design concept uses a transparent blurred background similar to that of a frosted glass surface.
The main characteristics of vitrification:
- Transparency and background blurring;
- A light border on a transparent object;
- Layered;
- Bright colors.
Source: dribble
Comfortable visual effects
Comfortable visuals are easy on the eye. Both users and application developers love this recent trend in mobile application design.
Mobile application design should be more than just aesthetics. It should be convenient for our eyes. We spend the whole day staring at screens and end up feeling tired and eye strain. To reduce this adverse effect, application developers create a design that we can use comfortably.
The concept of comfortable Visual Design trends is to use natural colors, soothing images, and simple layouts for your applications. These techniques can often be found in meditation apps. They include realistic nature photos with calm colors and light elements with simple structures, with few dark thematic designs.
Source: dribble
Abstract expressionism
After all the talk of comfortable visuals, simplicity, and realistic photos, it might sound paradoxical to mention abstract art design trends. However, this technique is widely used in the UI mobile industry.
Why is that? Abstract images and geometric art can look very artistic in mobile applications. It draws attention to colors and shapes without distracting from the functionality of the application and creating original designs. There is no need to resort to expensive photography and real photographs or illustrations. It’s the easiest way to grab your audience’s attention.
Source: dribble
What are good application design practices, and where can I find ideas?
Implementing all the top design trends will not make your application perfect. In addition to following these ideas, you can use some quality design practices.
- Check the work of others. Check out the leading mobile UI offerings and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. Learn from their experiences, but never copy them.
- Make the application intuitive. Use all trends to create applications with user-friendly and intuitive interfaces. Whether it’s 3D effects, animation, or VR, make sure it just simplifies the application and makes it easy to use.
- Use standard navigation. Don’t overflow the menu bar with too many options. Keep only the essentials. Keep in mind that buttons are distracting and take up a lot of space on the screen.
- Use attractive graphics. We list too many options on how to create attractive graphics. Abstract art, illustrations, realistic photo trends — everything can help grab a user’s attention.
But where to find inspiration?
Yes, there are many different options on the Internet. But instead of just searching, go directly to the websites of companies related to the industry. As professionals, they can share some great ideas. The Shakuro App Design agency, for example, usually publishes great articles about design trends. As a digital and application design professional, Shakuro provides excellent information. Shakuro would be a good place to look for “design trends for 2022” and application-themed designs.
For more ideas, try the Awwwards, a collection of thousands of designs showcased by creators from around the world; Or Mobbin – a library of over 50,000 screenshots of applications.
Of course, I don’t want you to follow every design trend. One approach is good for one type of business, but may break another. The key is to look at trends, assess the market and analyze customer needs.
Learn more about design software: Sketch, Figma, Mockplus DT