Design Trends We’re Trying this Year
3D objects and no-code dev are on the list of design tools and techniques we’re using in 2024!
The way we design products is ever evolving as access to new tools and new tech becomes available faster than ever before. Our design team is always looking out for ways to improve as we create products that put people first. Find out which trends we can’t wait to try this year.
Vusi: Augmented Reality, Glassmorphism and Typography in Motion
Vusi is excited to craft digital elements to seamlessly blend with real-world environments, occasionally offering restricted interactivity. This integration occurs via smartphones, the latest Apple Vision Pro AR glasses, or wearable computers, elevating possibilities for interaction and cross-platform utilization to unprecedented heights.
Glassmorphism is a design style, coined by Michal Malewicz from Hype4.Academy to connect and combine all of the uses of the “frosted glass” effect in the UI design environment.
Typography in motion entails animating typography around objects or during transitions between pages or tabs.
Byron: GSAP Animation, Wild Layouts and Enormous Fonts
With the rise of Lottie and lightweight animation, there has never been a better time for some interesting movement in what we see on the web. GSAP takes it a step further with additional features like morphing SVGs and After-Effects like text effects.
Looking for wild layouts and tired of seeing newsfeed based content where we spend the majority of the day, Byron wants to visit a shocking yellow website and see a gigantic Gameboy-shaped object while his mouse cursor causes the screen to ripple like water.
As for enormous fonts, what’s the point of our increasingly higher resolution devices if we can’t see a stunningly rendered font in huge sizes?
Sipho: Grids & Visible Borders, Composition Heavy Designs & Dot Display Graphics
Bento boxes organise content into visually appealing compartments, creating a structured yet visually stimulating layout. It also considers good use of screen real estate and improves overall usability.
Sipho also wants to experiment with composition-heavy designs because this style brings a sophisticated and artful touch to web design in a world of AI. Composition-heavy designs add depth and personality to websites, elevating them from mundane to extraordinary.
Dot Display Graphics is a throwback, very similar to the 3310 website. By harnessing the power of dot matrix patterns, these graphics infuse websites with a sense of nostalgia while embracing cutting-edge technology.
Greg: No-code Dev, Big & Weird Fonts and 3D Web Integrations
Greg’s #1 most exciting trend is the rise of the likes of Framer and Webflow, bringing the power of frontend dev and animation to designer’s hands.
What’s with the fonts? The internet looping back around to editorial style layouts has set the stage for unique font usage and Greg is so here for it!
3D model creation has become more accessible than ever, with easy integration into web development that doesn’t wreck your browser. Hooray!
Zubeir: Retro Fonts, 3D Objects and Animations
Retro fonts are a throwback to design styles from past decades, often evoking nostalgia or a vintage aesthetic. They feature characteristics like bold outlines, exaggerated serifs, and unique letterforms reminiscent of typewriters, neon signs, or old advertisements. Retro fonts also add personality and charm to UI designs, providing a distinctive visual appeal that can help brands stand out and create a sense of familiarity or nostalgia among users.
Incorporating 3D objects into UI design adds depth, realism, and interactivity to digital interfaces. These objects can range from simple geometric shapes to complex models and animations, creating immersive user experiences. 3D elements enhance visual storytelling, allowing designers to convey information more effectively and engage users in interactive experiences. They also enable innovative design solutions, such as product visualizations, virtual environments, and augmented reality interfaces, pushing the boundaries of traditional flat design and bringing digital experiences closer to the physical world.
Animations play a crucial role in enhancing user experience by adding fluidity, feedback, and delight to UI interactions. From subtle micro-interactions to dynamic transitions and effects, animations guide users through interfaces, provide visual feedback for actions, and create engaging experiences. They help communicate hierarchy, relationships, and context, making interactions more intuitive and enjoyable. Whether used for functional purposes like loading indicators and form validations or for purely aesthetic effects, animations contribute to the overall usability and appeal of UI designs, fostering user engagement and retention.
Oscar: Big Fonts, Glassmorphism and 3D Designs
Oscar is all about pushing the boundaries of BIG typography with experimental and artistic font designs, catering for unique and creative projects.
Glassmorphism will also be part of the mix for Oscar, as he sees value in it’s use across various design elements such as buttons, cards, and modals, often combined with minimalist or futuristic design aesthetics.
3D designs built for AR and the metaverse have become increasingly realistic, making the augmented reality road an exciting one to journey in 2024!