The Covid-19 pandemic looks far from over as we turn our calendars to 2023. It has forced many to work from home for weeks and months. As designers continue to work-from-home for safety reasons or simply because the remote work style suits them, the future of UX is sure to be impacted to reflect this trend.
In this article, let’s dive into topics that are set to influence the way UX designers work in this ever evolving world.
Here’s a brief overview of best UX trends to watch out for in 2023
1. Remote work – the new normal
2. AR/VR – way forward
3. Metaverse - Next big thing
4. More and more No-code tools
5. The rise of autonomous cars
1. Remote work – the new normal
Covid-19 has impacted many industries and tech industry is no different. In this fast evolving tech industry, UX designers will find remote working to be of great benefit to suit their lifestyles. Design learnings, seminars, events etc. will flourish more online than in person. Remote technologies like Web 3.0, AR/VR, and the Metaverse will boom as it will help host larger numbers of designers across the world in a safe yet engaging way.
As remote work impacts the nature of collaboration and communication, designers will need to master new skills. The interviewing of relevant stakeholders cannot happen in a traditional way, so it is paramount for the designers to learn new online collaborative tools. Tools like Figma, Miro, and Slack can make remote collaboration easy and effective.
2. AR/VR – way forward
We are already experiencing technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual reality (VR) in our day to day life via various web and mobile apps. We are currently looking at just the tip of the iceberg of this exciting AR/VR field. As AR/VR becomes more prevalent, UX designers will need to become well-versed in designing for such platforms in creative and effective ways. WebXR which is the latest evolution in the exploration of virtual and augmented realities, taps the power of the web along with the unification of these realities under one philosophical umbrella. It makes creating immersive 3D art, interactive environments, VR tools, etc. easier. Designers will also have to learn 3D imaging, holography, spatial and audio augmentation etc. to effectively communicate their ideas.
3. METAVERSE – the next big thing
Ever since Facebook rebranded itself as Meta, Metaverse has suddenly become a major trending topic. But the concept has been around for close to three decades. The definition of Metaverse is still complicated because there is no metaverse as of now, and no one knows what it will be in the future. Metaverse is constantly evolving, there is every possibility that it will be much grander and more immersive by the time it becomes a reality than how it is being imagined today. The metaverse is still in its early development but it’s a matter of time that metaverse will become as real and common as the internet. So, UX designers should keep an eye on its advancement. This technology will result in device and experience being much more connected than ever and will impact a variety of sectors like education, architecture, e-commerce, medical, gaming etc.
4. More and more no-code tools
A no-code framework is a programming platform that uses a Graphic User Interface (GUI) to enable non-technical users to build applications by dragging and dropping software components to create a full app. No code tools are very useful for the UX designers to develop their ideas on their own without depending on the developers. Becoming an expert at using these tools can significantly expedite their work and the design process. This, however, comes with a challenge of clients not giving enough credence to the designer’s expertise. So, UX designers may defend themselves by utilizing quantitative data alongside qualitative insights to back up and strengthen their design decisions.
5. The rise of autonomous cars
The autonomous car is not a distant vision, it’s already happening. How the future of car design looks like? What does it mean for the digital cockpit when your car can take care of getting you from A to B safely, and on the quickest available route, all on its own? Is the classic instrument cluster needed at all? Is that information completely secondary to our infotainment requirements? With endless possibilities the role of UX designers become paramount to deliver an intuitive, deeply connected, and accessible HMI design that provides satisfying and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
As many challenges as the pandemic has presented to the UX design community, and as uncertain as the times may be, UX designers have the potential to be major changemakers in our society.
One of the best ways to practice UX is to keep yourself up-to-date and connected to the world around you. And all that really comes down to doing what you already do best: listening and observing, then iterating to find the most effective ways forward.
The challenges will be in adapting and evolving your skillset to a remote-forward work environment and finding new and innovative ways to communicate, collaborate, and continue connecting with and advocating for your users.
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