The digital world is moving at an unprecedented pace but also at an exciting one! This makes it hard to predict the future of UX, particularly into 2030. Look how far we’ve come in the past decade alone!?
The future of UX design is going to undoubtedly widen and our UX design principles. Thinking methods and problem solving is going to have to be stepped up and potentially rewired. That’s due to the future capabilities currently being unlocked by the likes of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technological advancements.
So, what are KIJO’s predictions for the future 2030 in UX design? Below, you’ll find what we think are going to be the most dominant, world-changing advancements in the future for UX.
AI is currently influencing web design in new ways nearly monthly! Our instinct at KIJO is that it will never replace the need for a designer. However, it will become a tool we rely on to complete repetitive tasks and speed up design delivery.
Currently, there are AI tools in existence that can generate sitemaps at the snap of your fingers. This provides designers with the basic building blocks for a site faster so their focus can instead be given to the problem solving and goal achieving steps of a website. The fun bit! Arguably, this enables more creativity time for the UX designer! This same AI can also generate content to fit the sitemaps and provides a very basic website wireframe layout. This AI skill will no doubt develop exponentially over the next decade.
In terms of visual design, it becomes harder to predict what will be a future UX trend in 10 years. Design trends seem to cycle every 6-12 months. However, the complexity of design layouts and styles may be enhanced greatly by AI. That said, the demand for a minimalist design seems to prevail often here for us at KIJO and our clients. That’s because minimalism stands the test of time. So, whilst AI may enable more complexity in UX design, we may only see it if the demand for it is there. We’re not 100% convinced of just yet!
Alongside this, we’re already starting to see huge advancements in AI chatbots. We reckon these are going to grow not only in their ability, but become popular commonplace on business sites. In particular, those that need to communicate directly with clients.
AI can feel like a scary, unknown beast. But, it’s inevitable: we have to embrace it and work with it. At KIJO, we see AI as an opportunity to improve productivity in all areas of strategy. This includes a chance to eliminate the mundane tasks that are slow but essential in UX design.
Are we threatened by AI? No. We believe that no matter how advanced AI becomes in UX, we’ll always need human, expert professionals to produce the bespoke feel that meets a client’s goal exactly.
We’re already starting to see face recognition replace passcodes on phones. The most recent Apple Macbook’s have a dedicated key that reads your fingerprint in order to access your personal device. We see biometric security becoming the new norm – and more advanced – over the next decade.
The benefits of biometric security are great. Not only do they provide an enhanced layer of security when compared to traditional methods (and are incredibly hard to steal or replicate, and thus lowers fraud risk), it delivers a higher user experience too. Biometric scanners eliminate the need to remember complex passwords. This makes it more convenient and faster for users to access their personalised accounts.
We’ve already seen fingerprint and face recognition boom in recent years. However, the KIJO team can see biometrics expanding out to things like iris recognition when it comes to accessing apps and site accounts.
The only problem that biometrics might face is the growth of deepfake. These are images and videos that have been altered so expertly that they look real. If deepfake keeps advancing, this may pose a problem for face recognition for sure. In addition, ethical issues like updates to GDPR and data storage for companies may restrict the growth of biometric security advancing too…
Leading on from biometric security concerns, the faster AI and technological advancements develop, the more hesitant and fearful consumers can become. In the UK and Europe we have GDPR now and data protection is taken very seriously. However, these rules and regulations will continue to be updated. This will be something UX designers and developers will need to be constantly on top of.
Not only is the seriousness of security essential in UX design principles, but vital for maintaining brand reputation, customer loyalty and business. So, on that understanding, KIJO absolutely foresees constant changes and updates happening to the ethical guidelines, rules and regulations regarding data. This will include how it’s stored, used and treated over the next ten years.
The self-design website tools available are going to see an advancement revolution over the next few years. This is one of our undoubtable predictions, of that we’re certain.
We’re already starting to see how easy it is to set up a website and make it look really good on Content Management Systems (CSM) like WordPress. Tools, templates and defaults will become easier, less complicated and more consolidated. We’ll see everyone of all capabilities be able to create at least a basic, aesthetically pleasing, working website.
The future of UX design is arguably impossible to accurately scope in this ever changing digital landscape. However, we think people will begin to view and consume information in a more hands-off way in the future.
Take the Apple Vision Pro for example. This is the new VR headset designed by Apple. It allows people to interact with websites via a headset rather than looking at a device. How does one use the device? With just their eyes, a hand and their voice. Anyone who’s anyone knows that this brand is an enormous trend setter in tech. So, we think by 2029, VR headset usage will become more normalised. This means UX design is going to have to shift according to this trend.
Accessibility has been a hot topic in recent years and for good reason. The world of technology is only for everyone, if it’s made with everyone in mind. Inclusive UX design is already at the forefront of the KIJO team’s minds. It’s a fundamental principle of ours as a company. But, we think site accessibility will be a consumer expectation – not just a demand – in the future. And, it makes good business sense. An accessible website is more likely to rank higher on Google than a non-accessible one already.
We think we’ll see a growth of voice control and interaction, particularly as artificial intelligence grows in it’s capabilities. Just like Siri works on Apple products, consumers will expect to be able to instruct websites verbally just like they can their devices. Voice recognition software will inevitably keep getting better. This means that this ability will become more reliable as well as an expected feature.
Ensuring websites are accessible to users of all abilities is obviously the right thing to do. We’re already starting to see WordPress developers incorporating accessibility features like alt text for images and colour contrast considerations for the visually impaired. Content audio recordings for those that are hard of hearing. We also think it will become a legal requirement in even more forward-thinking, accessibility-conscious countries.
We don’t have a crystal ball, but the team at KIJO have their finger on the pulse at all times. So, we think our predictions for the future – 2030 and beyond – in UX design have a pretty good chance of being accurate.
Of course, no one can know for certain. But, what we can do is stay up to date, and be ready and willing to embrace the UX design advancements undeniably coming our way!
If you think the team at KIJO can help you with your future web design, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
