Have you ever wondered what is changing in terms of experience online?
Unleashing the Potential of Online Experiences: A Designer’s Perspective
As a millennial, I was lucky enough to witness the rise of technology firsthand. Growing up, I spent plenty of time outside and engaged in traditional childhood activities, but I was always drawn to exploring the inner workings of the digital world. This curiosity eventually led me to pursue a career in UX UI design, where I can use my creativity and love for human nature to create meaningful digital experiences. With each passing year, I’m constantly amazed by the ever-evolving landscape of technology and the endless possibilities it presents.
Some of you may have something in common with me, others not, but technology certainly changes our lives, so we can’t help but want to understand it.
I had discussions with various people. Some were scared of technology, and others were motivated.
Fear comes with technology because things change very quickly, and we may not even have time to get used to a situation when something new appears. You start to ask yourself existential questions: “if I don’t do this, then what is my purpose in life?”, “Will I be replaced by a robot?”, “Will I have to compete with technology to keep my work?”.
But technology is an opportunity to improve our lives and make things easier. And as we move forward, we must embrace and adapt to change. It’s not about competing with technology but collaborating to achieve a better user experience.
UX UI Design is not just about code and illustrations; it’s about connecting with the people who use them. And as designers, we have the power to create meaningful experiences for users that make their lives better. We can make a difference through a website, an app, or a digital product. So, let’s not be afraid of technology but instead embrace it and use it to our advantage.
The Online Experience Revolution: How Designers Can Stay Ahead of the Curve
I understand the importance of using technology to enhance our capabilities and make our lives easier. It’s exciting to see how fast the world is changing and how we can adapt. However, it’s also important to remember the human aspect of technology. We shouldn’t let ourselves become so absorbed in screens that we forget to experience the real world.
Learning and adapting to new technologies is essential, and it’s okay for jobs to change or disappear. It’s natural for technology and for us to evolve with it. But as technology becomes more advanced and human-like, it’s essential to maintain a balance between the virtual and real worlds.
That’s why I believe in sharing knowledge and interacting with others online. It’s a way to bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds and ensure that technology continues to enhance our lives rather than replace them. And as a millennial who grew up with the internet, I’m excited to see what the future holds for technology and its impact on our lives.
How is the user experience online now, and how is it changing?
1. From Micro Interactions to Complex Interactions – Unlocking the Full Potential of UX/UI Design
In today’s world, Micro-interactions have become a natural part of designing apps and websites. These small animations and effects give a distinct personality to the product and make users feel engaged. However, as UX/UI designers, we must look beyond these micro-interactions and explore more Complex Interactions.
While micro-interactions are valuable for creating user habits and a friendly interface, more is needed to stand out in a crowded market. That’s why forward-thinking platforms now offer the opportunity to Test Products before purchasing them in Virtual and Augmented Reality. With the help of AI and Machine Learning, we can now learn and adapt our interactions to provide a seamless user experience.
But why limit ourselves to the Visual Senses alone? We can extend our interactions to Touch, Hearing, Smell, and Taste, providing a truly immersive experience. By considering Human Accessibility, we can expand the types of interactions even further and make our designs more Inclusive and Accessible to all users.
As UX/UI designers, we are responsible for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and creating products that truly stand out. By unlocking the full potential of complex interactions, we can take our designs to the next level and create unforgettable experiences for our users.
2. From User Journey to Storytelling- Designing for Emotional Connections
As UX/UI designers, we understand the importance of creating a seamless User Journey to connect with our users. We consider the brand’s relationship with the client, the user’s difficulties, and the priority of functionalities to create designs that meet their needs. However, we must remember that we are dealing with people.
Buying a product or service is not 100% rational but also emotional. That’s why Storytelling has become essential for creating emotional connections with users. By using storytelling, we can increase trust and loyalty among website and application users.
In addition to traditional user journey mapping, UX Writing and Video Content have become increasingly popular in UX/UI design. These new tools allow us to create compelling stories that bring our designs to life and help sell products online.
As designers, we must constantly adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of our users. By incorporating storytelling into our designs, we can create emotional connections with our users, build brand loyalty, and drive conversions.
3. From User Expectations to Humanization & Personalization- Designing for Humanity
As UX/UI designers, we understand the importance of meeting Client’s Needs and Expectations. Each field of activity has certain expectations of services and products, and it’s our job to design interfaces that meet those expectations. We rely on UX/UI and Psychology Rules to guide us in creating intuitive and user-friendly designs.
While keeping up with industry standards and the competition is essential, the key to creating a successful design is to Humanize and Personalize Interactions on your website or app using Machine Learning. You can connect emotionally with your users by considering Human Emotions and Needs in your design and messages. This can lead to increased engagement, loyalty, and conversions.
Emphasis, Simplicity, and Accessibility are critical when designing for emotional connections. By highlighting key features and functionality, simplifying the user experience, and making your interface accessible to all users, you can create a design that resonates with your audience and meets their needs.
Humanizing and personalizing your design cannot be overstated in a world of increasingly sophisticated technology. By designing for emotional connections, you can create a more engaging and satisfying user experience and, ultimately, build a strong brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace.
4. From California Roll Rule to Next-Generation Design – Designing for a Virtual Future
The California Roll Rule taught us that people only want the same thing in a different “packaging” because resetting the interaction with a site or app and creating new habits is difficult. However, the New Generations were born with technology and will become the new mass of users. As the internet has become the new world, it is crucial to reevaluate online interaction habits, especially with the rise of new technologies like the Neuro link.
With the virtual world becoming the new generation’s first source of information and interaction, creating designs that meet their needs and expectations is more critical than ever. Today, the trend is to make online elements simulate the functioning of real things, which enhances the user experience and makes it more intuitive. From buttons that react like actual buttons to cars on the map that move in the app, these designs create a virtual world that mimics reality.
“Technological evolution results from our desire to lead a better life.”
― R.S. Amblee
As designers, we need to keep up with the latest trends and technology to create next-generation designs that are intuitive, user-friendly, and innovative. With the rise of new technologies like the Neuro link, we must be prepared for a future where online and offline worlds merge seamlessly. Creating functional and beautiful designs is essential to design for this virtual future. By doing so, we can create a better world for the new generations of users and ensure that they have the best possible experience in the virtual world.
Kindly share your thoughts on which changes you believe will emerge first. Your valuable opinion in the comment section would be appreciated.
Reference:
- Walther, Cornelia C. (2021) Technology, social change, and human behavior: influence for impact
- Makridakis, Spyros The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution: Its impact on society and firms
- Knowledge, people, and digital transformation: approaches for a sustainable future / Florinda Matos [and more], editors. (2020)
- D. Allam User Experience: Challenges and Opportunities
- Alves, R., Valente, P., & Nunes, N. J. (2014). The state of user experience evaluation practice. In Proceedings of the 8th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Fun, Fast, Foundational (pp. 93–102). New York: ACM.
