The Future of UX: 6 must-watch trends in 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, the future of UX design is like a wild west show. It's exciting, unpredictable, and filled with all sorts of characters, good and bad. But just like in a wild west show, it's important to keep your wits about you and be prepared for anything.

As technology continues to evolve, so does the field of User Experience (UX) design. Keeping up with the latest trends and advancements is crucial for designers to create the best possible experience for users.

We are going take a look at some at the 6 trends that we expect to really make waves in 2023.

Let’s dive in, starting with…

 

1. AI & Machine Learning for UX writing

The integration of AI and machine learning in UX design: As AI and machine learning continue to advance, we will see more and more of it being integrated into the design process, specifically, UX writing. It's like having a trusty sidekick that can help you find the treasure faster, but you still need to be the one making the final decision.

AI-powered tools can generate a wide range of content options based on certain parameters and constraints. This can save time and effort for UX writers, allowing them to focus on more important tasks.

Content Optimisation: AI algorithms can analyse user data and feedback to identify the best wording and tone for system and status messages. This can help to improve the clarity and effectiveness of the messaging.

Language Understanding: Machine learning can be used to understand the user's natural language queries and provide relevant results in the interface.

Sentiment Analysis: Machine learning can be used to analyse user feedback and determine the overall sentiment towards the product, allowing UX writers to identify areas for improvement in the messaging.

---

2. More detailed interactions & micro interactions

The increasing complexity of user interactions is becoming a key challenge for UX designers in 2023. With the rise of new technologies such as voice assistants and smart home devices, as well as complex platforms and apps, users are interacting with technology in more advanced ways. This presents a challenge for designers, as they need to create interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use, even in these complex scenarios.

To meet this challenge, designers are turning to micro-interactions as a solution. Micro-interactions are small animations, sounds or other visual cues that indicate that something is happening, like a pull-to-refresh animation or a notification sound. These small interactions can help guide users through the interface and provide feedback on their actions, making it easier for them to understand what is happening.

In 2023, audiences have high expectations for slick and well-crafted interactions, similar to the likes of Spotify, Apple, and Netflix. Micro-interactions can create a more engaging and dynamic user experience, improve usability and accessibility, and create a stronger emotional connection between users and the brand. As a result, we predict that the use of micro-interactions will continue to be a key differentiator for brands in 2023 and beyond. Brands that invest in creating seamless and intuitive interactions will be able to stand out and provide a better experience for their users.

---

3. More natural interfaces

In 2023, we will see more natural interfaces in UX design because it makes technology easier to use. This includes using natural language and gestures, like talking to a voice assistant or using hand movements to control devices. This makes it more intuitive and similar to real-life interactions. This trend is becoming popular as people expect technology to be easy to use and accessible.

An example of this is the use of gesture controls on smartphones or tablets. Instead of having to tap or swipe on a screen to navigate, users can use hand gestures such as waving or making a specific shape with their fingers to perform certain actions, like scrolling through a website or switching between apps. With users now well educated on the concept of gesture-based controls, we can expect to see more advanced and complex gestures becoming more prevalent in 2023. This can make the experience more intuitive, as it mimics the way we interact with physical objects, like flipping through a magazine or turning the page of a book. It also makes it more accessible for people who might have difficulty tapping or swiping on a screen.

---

4. Increased levels of accessibility

The growing importance of accessibility: In the past, accessibility was often an afterthought in the design process. However, in the future, it will be critical to make sure that all users, regardless of ability, can enjoy the experience. This means designing with accessibility in mind from the very beginning, and making sure that interfaces are usable by as many people as possible.

As WCAG 3.0 nears completion, we see a shift to a more systematic approach to accessibility. Consisting of four main principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). WCAG 3.0 has a larger focus on accessibility for people with cognitive and learning disabilities, and includes success criteria that address iss

---

5. Personalisation & Hyper personalisation

The expectation of hyper-personalisation is expected to grow in 2023 because it addresses the growing consumer demand for personalised experiences. With the rise of new technologies and the increasing availability of data, consumers are becoming more accustomed to receiving services and products that are tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Hyper-personalisation uses real-time data and advanced techniques such as behavioural science and data science to deliver highly personalised services, products and pricing that are context-specific and relevant to customers' needs. This can include things like recommending products or services based on a user's browsing history, providing personalised pricing based on a user's location, or tailoring the user interface based on a user's preferences.

Hyper-personalisation can also be used to create more engaging and relevant content for users by providing them with personalised news, recommendations, and other information. This can help to increase user engagement and improve the overall user experience.

As consumers continue to demand more personalised experiences, the use of hyper-personalisation is expected to grow in popularity. Companies that invest in creating highly personalised experiences using hyper-personalisation will be able to stand out and provide a better experience for their users.

---

6. Consent & preference centres

Consent and preference centres are becoming a key area in any new experience because they allow users to have more control over their data and the information they receive. As privacy concerns continue to grow, users are becoming increasingly aware of how their data is being used and shared by companies. They want more transparency and control over what data is collected and how it is used.

Consent and preference centres provide a way for users to easily view and manage their privacy settings, including what data is being collected, how it is used, and who it is shared with. This allows users to make more informed decisions about how their data is used, and to adjust their settings as needed.

In addition to providing more transparency and control for users, consent and preference centres can also help to improve the overall user experience. By allowing users to customise their experience and tailor it to their preferences, these centres can create a more personalised and engaging experience for users.

As a result, in 2023 we will see more and more companies incorporating consent and preference centres into their design and development process, as well as more users demanding these kind of feature. Brands will be expected to be more transparent about data collection and use, and to give users more control over their data in order to build trust and improve the overall user experience.

---

As you can see, the trends in UX design for 2023 are shaping up to be an exciting and dynamic landscape. From AI and machine learning for UX writing, to more detailed interactions and micro-interactions, and more natural interfaces, we can expect to see a continued emphasis on creating intuitive and user-centric experiences.

So, let's strap on our cowboy boots and get ready to ride off into the sunset of the wild west of UX design in 2023.

If you're looking to stay ahead of the game and create a cutting-edge user experiences, get in touch with Nick, our Experience Design Director today!

---