What Are the Top 10 UI/UX Web Design Trends 2022

While UI and UX are often talked about together as if they are both part of one pot, the truth is they are polar opposites. You can think of it like two sides of the same brain – the design brain.

UI or User Interaction/User Interface is the portion of the design process that resembles the right brain – creative, abstract, aesthetically focused. Color, font, and layouts that please the eye are all part of UI.

UX or User Experience is more like the left brain. It deals with more finite structures, like architecture, interaction, research, and prototypes. Does the site function properly and lead the user to the intended conclusion?

By using both when designing and developing a website, you create a holistic and pleasing experience for the user. One that looks great and functions beautifully. In other words, you can’t have one without the other if you are going to create a stunning new customer experience.

10 UX and UI Web Design Trends for 2022

Let’s look at the latest web design trends to see where incorporating UI/UX design trends would be helpful. We include both UI and UX processes or elements here because they are all part of the same whole (or brain).

1. Mobile Responsiveness

You can’t begin any discussion about UX trends 2022 without considering the impact of mobile devices.

Today, over 68% of all website visits are from mobile devices, with less than 30% coming from traditional desktops and laptops, and just over 3% from tablets. Phones are being used to book reservations, make travel arrangements, and place grocery orders to be delivered.

Now more than ever, web design has to be mobile responsive using a mobile-first design concept that guarantees an improved user interaction.

2. A Personalized Experience

Seamless, personalized experiences are expected by today’s consumers.

If your new website design doesn’t offer a user experience that feels unique, you may lose that site visitor to a competitor that is able to provide a more customized experience. In fact, 75% of users expect personalized experiences from the companies they do business with, including anticipating their needs and providing relevant suggestions.

Additionally, personalization reduces options and distractions where you sometimes lose users and guides them along the sales continuum to close the deal.

3. Immersive 3D

With gaming a full-time distraction for many, immersive 3D impacts both UI and UX design and challenges them to create visually stunning experiences that can be translated to a mobile platform.

Added levels of depth for both images and typography are being used to create engaging elements that jump off the page and make it hard to look away. For UI, this includes everything from the creative use of shadowing all the way to three-dimensional animations to capture the users’ attention.

4. Custom Illustrations

The use of custom illustrations has quickly replaced stock options. By using custom illustrations, you can tell a story that impacts the user experience and explains products or services at a glance.

Additionally, the custom illustrations are ranging further and wider in scope and use from delicate and elegant illustrations to artsy or animated images.

Creative and original, custom illustrations can better fit both a brand and message which makes them a popular choice for an engaging website or marketing element.

5. Voice User Interface (VUI)

Voice-activated interface has become mainstream with the popularity of Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Impacting everything from shopping trends to search engine inquiries, consumers are finding more ways that VUI simplifies their lives, and they want voice command capabilities whenever possible.

UX trends 2022 are focused on bringing VUI to website design and individualizing it for specific sites.

6. Scannable Fonts

Today, users are scanning content more than ever. So, naturally, it follows that your headings, subheadings, and hero images should be scannable and engaging to capture attention. In fact, some companies use font so effectively that it’s associated with their brand – think Apple.

As a focal point, typography and fonts are being used as a single design element with UI designers willing to use multiple fonts to create poster-type effects on websites. Think about the easy readability of Arial, Lucida Sans, Verdana, or Helvetica paired together in a poster-style hero image.

7. Air Gesture Control

With evolving touchscreen capabilities, air gesture control has become a significant component of the mobile UIUX roadmap for 2022.

Today, consumers aren’t limited by what’s included in their phones. They have access to free plug & play controllers like AirMouse (that uses a Bluetooth-enabled device) and Wave Control. Imagine using your phone while eating or cooking or working out – you no longer have to touch the screen for many functions.

As a design element, air gesture control is an app design trend for 2022 that you don’t want to ignore.

8. Customized Icons

Icons have been used in website design for some time as a way to direct site visitors and represent Calls to Action (CTAs). In 2021 and 2022, customizing icons on a website design gives recognizable visual cues to visitors that are company specific and meaningful.

Like today’s design trends that use tailor-made illustrations that show more customization and imagination, icons are showing more character and personality and are a UI trend that is expected to expand.

9. Vivid Color

A major component of UI design that engages viewers, vivid color is being used more often in elements to catch the eye.

Lighter colors that are bright and intense also promote the concept of energy and youthfulness which makes them very appealing for upbeat, fresh brands looking to make a splash with a young audience.

With the whole world engaging through a small phone screen, vivid color makes maximum impact and grabs the attention quickly. One example is the use of dark theme which makes color stand out even more. Many people use dark mode whenever available because they like the rich color enhancement it provides.

10. Device Synchronization

Your audience wants their data synchronized across all their devices instantly. From phone to laptop to tablet to wearable device, users want to access information seamlessly.

Multi-platform UX will become increasingly crucial as people rely on assorted devices simultaneously. Users want to continue a task without missing a beat regardless of which device they pick up.

The Bottom Line

Graphic design trends in 2022 and 2023 are expected to follow the increase in technology, as well as the rapid adaptability of today’s users. It seems that people will absorb new technology as quickly as it’s made available.

That makes website design and development using UI and UX critical to your user’s experience. It should help you increase engagement and conversions both on websites and with your overall marketing endeavors.

From logo design to mobile apps, 2022 web design should create a seamless presentation to your audience.

Contact Lounge Lizard to discuss UI/UX web design and designing for the human experience.