#23 App Design Trends To Look Forward To In 2023

Cell phones have come a long way from being just simple devices designed to connect people to becoming people’s one-stop solution for all their various queries and problems. It wouldn’t be wrong to dub them as “man’s best digital friend.” 

The vast array of apps they behold is a big part of what makes mobile phones enticing. However, our ever-growing need for innovation puts every app to the test of time. Each year brings new trends, technologies, and ways to design apps. 

Thus, to maintain their grip on the market, apps need to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments and incorporate the same into their design to be able to appeal to the ever-evolving sensibilities of their users successfully. 

In this post, we’ll take a look at the top mobile app design trends that will be shaping the outlook of digital products in 2023:

1. Adaptive Lumination

Users no longer want to switch between dark and light modes or bedtime readability features. They prefer automated adaptive luminous intensity. The light and color temperature can change automatically based on the outside light, time of the day, etc.,

2. Revamping The Traditional Cursor

Imagine navigating through your screen without a cursor! It would be like walking with eyes closed. At the same time, we are sure all of us can agree that it could use a little bit of redecoration. This 2023, we are keeping our quintessential cursor and adding a dash of funk and fun to its traditional look.

3. Designing with Cross-Device User Experience

A lot of our day-to-day lives revolve around three categories of devices- smartphones, tabs, and laptops. Therefore, designing for all kinds of devices and operating systems is another inevitable rule trend that will take the front seat in the coming year.

4. Dark themes

Dark themes are one of the most popular trends in design. With dark backgrounds and text, it’s easy to get lost in your phone or tablet—especially after a long day of work or school. Dark themes can be used for everyday tasks like reading news feeds or browsing social media and even more excitingly, they can also be used for games!

5. Ombre & Gradient

One of the never-ending confusions looming around colors is the difference between Ombre and Gradient. Are they the same? Nah! They are different, and as a designer in 2023, you should know these twins apart. Gradient refers to the gradual transition from one color to another, from light to dark, etc.; Ombre, on the other hand, lifts a flat design with dynamic elements, like transitional motion graphical pieces.

6. Minimalism

Minimalism is a trend that can be seen in many places, but it’s especially prevalent in the world of app design. It has been around for years, but with the rise of Material Design and its emphasis on simplicity, minimalism is becoming more popular than ever. We predict this trend will only grow as companies look for ways to simplify their apps while maintaining functionality and ease of use.

7. Handmade Graphics and Photos

Hand-drawn elements are more human and make apps look cool! The hand-drawn element is back. It’s been around for years, but the trend has gotten stronger recently. This year we saw a lot of hand-drawn elements on mobile apps as well as websites. While it may seem like an odd choice for a design trend considering how much we’ve become used to slick computerized layouts, there’s something about seeing images created by actual humans that makes them more relatable and approachable.

8. Immersive Scrolling

Immersive scrolling is a mobile app design trend in which the content on the screen is designed to scroll horizontally. The immersive scrolling design trend has been popularized by social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This type of design is perfect for scrolling through long text or images as it makes it easier for users to see more content at once. It also helps with navigation, as users can scroll through the app without tapping specific links or buttons.

9. Default Digital Wellbeing

We are living in the digital era. Phones and the internet have gained a place in the top shelf of the essentials pyramid. And it’s not just adults; kids these days are growing up with technology, too. The digital well-being feature has become a default add-on in all device interfaces, especially mobile. It helps users manage the time spent on their phones by limiting the amount of time that apps can spend in the foreground and by offering features like wind-down mode, bedtime mode, etc.

10. 3D Interactive Objects

As we move into the future, more and more app designers are looking to create 3D interactive objects within their apps. This trend is being driven by the increasing popularity of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. By incorporating 3D objects into their apps, designers can create a more immersive and engaging experience for users.

11. Nostalgia

We’ll see a re-imagined take on nostalgia. In an attempt to bring back the glory days of our youth, we’ll see apps that are designed with a nostalgic feel in mind. Apps like these will feature designs inspired by old-school computers and consoles, as well as retro games and toys. These types of apps can help you relive your childhood while also making it easier to communicate with friends or family members who grew up before smartphones existed (or even social media).

12. Combined Home Experiences

As we move into the next decade, we will see a continued focus on design that emphasizes combined home experiences. This means creating apps that work seamlessly with other devices in the home, as well as with other apps and services. We will see more apps that are designed to be used in conjunction with voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. And we will also see more apps that are designed to be used in conjunction with smart home devices.

13. Anime Revival

Anime is making a comeback in the world of app design. This Japanese art form was once popular in the early days of the Internet but fell out of favor in recent years. However, with the release of several highly successful anime-inspired games and apps, anime is gaining popularity. Some of the most popular anime-inspired apps are those that allow users to create and share their animations. These apps are often very user-friendly and allow even those with no prior experience in animation to create beautiful, complex animations.

14. Advanced Micro-Interactions

Microinteractions are tiny UI details that can have big impacts on user experience. These are small interactions that usually occur in the background and don’t interrupt the user’s flow. They’re often used for things like confirming actions, switching between different screens, or updating data when it changes in real-time (like a stock ticker).

15. Mainstreaming E-commerce AR/VR

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are examples of emerging technologies that can potentially transform how we interact with our environment. AR uses technology to combine real-world objects with computer-generated imagery, allowing users to see things in a new way. VR uses a headset that blocks out all external stimuli and immerses users in an artificial world.

16. Off-White

Off-white is neither gray nor white or black! It’s in between all of that, but better. Off-white shades are expected to dominate user interface designs across devices in the coming year, mainly because of their freshness and strong appeal. Off-white will become a default background color in many websites and apps as it works great for reading as well as for the luminosity transition.

17. Bold Typography

One word! BOLD. Yes, bold, minimal words and strong typography are still going to be irreplaceable in 2023. They convey the exact message, and users simply can’t look away from them.

18. Immersive Experiences on Wearables

As we move into the 2020s, we will see a shift in the way that people interact with technology. There will be a move away from traditional screens and towards devices that promise an immersive experience.

This trend is being driven by the increasing popularity of wearable devices such as smartwatches and augmented reality glasses. These devices provide a much more natural and intimate way of interacting with technology. 

Wearables will become increasingly commonplace in the coming years, and they will offer a wide range of new opportunities for app designers. We will also see apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of these devices, such as their ability to track our movements and location.

19. Glassmorphism, Pearlcore & Iridescent

Glassmorphism, Pearlcore, and Iridescent are all design trends that are set to take the app world by storm in 2023.

• Glassmorphism is a design trend that takes inspiration from the smooth, polished look of glass. This trend is all about creating sleek, minimalistic designs that have a modern feel. 
• Pearlcore is another trend that takes its cues from nature, specifically the iridescent colors of pearls. This trend is perfect for creating stylish and sophisticated app designs.
• Iridescent is a trend that combines both Glassmorphism and Pearlcore to create eye-catching, colorful designs. This trend is perfect for apps that want to make a bold statement and stand out from the crowd.

20. Neumorphism

Neumorphic design is a term used to describe a type of app design that focuses on conveying information through rich visuals. The word neu-morphic is derived from the Greek mythological creature Nessus, who was turned into a centaur by Circe and then killed by Hercules. The concept behind neumorphic design is simple: it aims to put users at ease by using naturalistic imagery and colors.

21. Adaptive Zoom

With the proliferation of larger screens, users are expecting a more immersive experience that caters to their individual needs. This is where adaptive zoom comes in. Adaptive zoom is a feature that allows users to dynamically scale content to fit the size of their screen. 

This means that whether you’re viewing on a phone, tablet, or desktop, the content will always look its best. This trend is being driven by the increasing popularity of responsive design. More and more websites are being designed with responsive principles in mind, and this is starting to carry over into apps as well.

22. Marrying Functionality To User Experience.

In the past, interfaces were designed to be useful and efficient. The focus was on functionality.. However, as technology has advanced over time—and as our lives become more complex—we have come to expect more from our digital experiences. In this new era of user-centric design (UCD), we are shifting away from just getting things done toward creating experiences that are meaningful for users.

23. No Touch

There’s a lot of buzz around voice UI, but it’s not just about speaking to your phone. With gesture-based interaction and AI, you can interact with your device without needing to touch it. For example, if you’re watching a video on YouTube and want to skip ahead in the video (or, more likely just skip back), you can simply swipe up from the bottom of your screen with two fingers.

Wrapping Up!

The landscape of app design is changing as rapidly as technology itself. We’re going to see new trends emerge with every passing year. The best thing to do is stay ahead of the curve by staying informed, keeping up with the trends in design and user experience research (and maybe even some coding), and leveraging those insights when you sit down to build an application! Get in touch with us to know more about market trends and all other digital marketing services-related queries.