Design Trends 2021: From Minimalistic UI to VUI – How to Reach Website Visitors in No Time [5 Reading Tips]

UX design (also known as UI design) is changing every day because new trends are emerging all the time, which – if implemented correctly – ensure better user experiences and encourage customers to make more purchases. Using trends correctly can be crucial to success. Depending on the industry and target group, they can, for example, help to get the attention of website visitors within a few seconds.

However, the question is: which UXD trends are particularly relevant this year? Find out in today’s article what is important in UX/UI design in 2021 and which trends you should definitely not ignore.

Design Trend: Dark Mode

Source: Talent Garden

One of the most popular trends at the moment is dark mode, which is now available on many large websites. This trend will continue in 2021. Dark mode is an alternative design to the original design of a website.

Such a design triggers a feeling of uniqueness in many website visitors because it has a particularly modern look. In addition, dark mode on a website ensures that the important areas of the website stand out. Many users also like dark mode because it saves battery power and reduces eye strain in the dark.

Design Trend: Collages

Source: Dark Horse

Mixing photos and graphics – another UX/UI design trend that you should not miss out on in 2021. Elements overlap and thus form a creative design, which also has a unique look. Moreover, this method ensures that the graphics on your website no longer look uninteresting.

As a result, more visitors will notice them and interact with your website. When you combine graphics and photos, you should always keep your brand image in mind, because depending on how you combine these elements, visitors of the website may have different experiences.

Design Trend: Minimalistic UI

Source: Behance

The digital age is characterised by a growing oversupply of information. Pop-ups, spam e-mails, notifications and constantly vibrating smartphones. Super exhausting. Therefore, it is no surprise that users want reduced and uncluttered layouts when consuming media.

While minimalism used to be more of a stylistic element of luxury brands, users now appreciate a minimalist presentation almost always and everywhere. What this means for UX/UI designers is that they have to become even more selective in order to create aesthetically pleasing and uncluttered experiences. Everything at a glance. Everything can be found quickly. Design meets usability.

Design Trend: Three-Dimensionality

Source: Behance

Just like some of the other trends on this list, 3D elements are certainly not a revolution. Closely linked to the success of AR & VR, however, hyper-realistic 3D elements in apps and websites are definitely on the rise.

They push the boundaries between real life and digital experience and are far less complex to integrate than VR & AR. It is important to keep a close eye on file sizes and page layout because users do not tolerate longer load times. With its Big Sur 3D icons, Apple shows what the whole thing looks like when it is fully implemented.

Design Trend: VUI

Source: Slidebird

Voice user interfaces (VUI) are another trend that will be implemented by more and more companies in 2021 since voice is on the rise anyway and usability is constantly evolving in this direction. VUI describes a completely new method of searching for information. You can, for example, use voice chatbots that allow visitors of your website to communicate via voice commands.

The same goes for virtual assistants that can help your visitors via voice commands. This leads to many new opportunities because it makes websites more attractive and effective. At the same time, companies’ customer services can be simplified and taken over by VUIs.

Design Trend: Neomorphism

Source: Medium

Neomorphism is a fusion of the currently widespread flat design style (everything is flat & clear) and skeuomorphism (see Apple icons of the 2010s). Shadows and shading convey the impression of a plastic surface: sublime, embossed, somehow tangible.

Clicking a certain button can thus provide haptic feedback, which would not be possible with flat design. Thanks to these three-dimensional looking elements, the flat world receives new attention, which can also give your website or app a special, modern touch.

Design Trend: Glassmorphism

Source: Medium

Since 2013, a lot of blurring has been used in design. Glassmorphism uses a frosted glass effect to ensure good readability of information and to create a hierarchy of windows. In addition, the background is still clearly visible, which can give users a sense of belonging.

Glassmorphism is based on a partially transparent blur over the entire surface of cards. With rounded edges and an outline that is a few pixels thick, it is possible to convey the impression of a glass edge.

This creates the impression of floating glass panels over a background that is as colourful as possible but also very blurred. By varying the transparency setting of several virtual glass surfaces, it is possible to convey a three-dimensional impression. Viewers perceive surfaces with higher transparency as being closer than those with lower transparency.

It is important to use clear colour gradients as a background here. They additionally strengthen the three-dimensional impression. Very strong colours are popular in this regard. Slight shadows underneath elements can have a beneficial effect if the background does not stand out distinctly enough.

The glass look can be either light or dark. Light surfaces are then placed on dark backgrounds, dark surfaces on light backgrounds. This is also great for dark mode.

Design Trend: Futuristic Colour Schemes

Source: Sweet Punk

The UI design trends in 2021 include (surprise!) futuristic colour schemes. Futuristic colour schemes mainly describe light colours in unusual structures or arrangements. If you equip your website with a futuristic design, users will notice it more quickly as not many other companies have adopted futuristic colour schemes yet.

You can also make profitable use of futuristic colour schemes in minimalist design. Do not shy away from using neon colours or unique designs. After all, it is mainly about setting yourself apart from the competition with your UI design.