11 App Design and Development Trends for 2023. Statistics-based Predictions

The ever-evolving web and mobile app development industry is constantly changing, making it hard to stay on top of the latest trends.

The most common reasons behind such an increase in smartphone usage are the digitalization of finance, shopping, and management services, the easy availability of entertaining and educational materials, their affordability, and much more.

Here are entering also numerous business opportunities for individuals and businesses looking to tap into the market’s seemingly endless potential.

Compared to 2016, with almost 141 billion mobile app downloads, 2021 saw a sharp 63% increase, with 230 billion downloads. The 2022 results are already even more impressive.

At the beginning of 2022, it was predicted designers would create powerful visual experiences with bold layouts, competing colors, multiple fonts, little white space, and recognizable patterns. And they were not wrong.

Learning about the latest and emerging trends can help you stay ahead of the curve and get some insight into the possible direction that the app development industry is heading toward.

Remember: It takes a visitor approximately 5 seconds to shape an opinion about a web or mobile app, according to Google’s research.

That’s why a good, user-friendly design is so important.

38% doesn’t sound that many? Hold on.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of web and mobile app development trends that you should know about if you want to impress your visitors and be able to compete in 2023 and beyond. Some of these changes are occurring now.

Mobile app growth affecting factors 2023

Around 90% of smartphone users’ time is spent on Mobile Apps. That’s the fact.

Now let’s analyze and understand the factors motivating smartphone users to stick to their favorite mobile apps - this will help you make your current or future app solution even more productive.

1. Attractive mobile app UI/UX designs

In the past few years, mobile UI/UX designs have advanced much and are becoming a major factor in the success of your mobile apps.

2. Best performance

With such a huge competition going on in the market, your perfect mobile app performance is the key.

• 30% of mobile app users expect their favorite apps to load in a second;
• 49% of mobile app users might stay and wait only if it takes around 2-3 seconds or max by 5 seconds;

3. Platform dedicated audience

To get incredible revenue generation, the best option is to go for cross-platform or hybrid app development. In fact, it is more cost-effective than native app development and helps you generate revenue from all app hosting platforms.

11 app design and development trends for 2023

#1 Anti light mode

Gone are the days when users sometimes occasionally wanted to switch to dark mode - now such a function is an expectation. Devices and interfaces are luminous intensity adaptable and can change accordingly. More and more people are trending towards dark mode and the interfaces that change their luminous intensity accordingly.

#2 NO to traditional cursor

This tip is for your web app design.

A cursor is a silent element through which users interact with the UI, while its usage is universal. We saw a rise in custom cursors in 2021 while the trend continued into 2022 with a strong effect.

Custom cursors are proven to strengthen brand loyalty and reinforce corporate branding.

#3 Ombre & gradient

Have you ever wondered what the difference between those two is?

Gradient yarn is a progression of different colors from light to dark, while ombre yarn is usually a blending of hues of the same color (from light to dark). Ombre adds dynamism to your design while you can also turn static images into energetic pieces by adding some gradient colors to them.

After years of being almost forgotten in favor of modern, monochromatic designs, gradients are finally back.

#4 Immersive scrolling

Adding video materials is an excellent way to engage customers. With their help sellers can showcase their products much better than using just images.

Augmented reality (AR) takes things even further. This technology allows you to demonstrate your items in 3D or depicted in other ways – this way, enhancing the online shopping experience.

#5 Nostalgia

From Gen Z latching onto the retro trend to millennials relishing ’90s nostalgia…with this happening it might be a UI trend in 2023 as well. Trends of the 2000s are very strong also.

Consider the Y2K design aesthetic as well. It’s in everything, taking over: fonts, colors, interfaces, fashion.

Adding such elements at an early stage will differentiate you from your competitors and add attractiveness to your website or app.

#6 Mobile-first approach in web development

As most of the browsing is now done on mobile devices, companies can’t ignore the importance of such an approach. And it’s no longer about developing a website that displays well on mobile devices but making it responsive and fast.

• Focus on vertical orientation and functions done with a touchscreen.
• Add meta viewport tags
• Use different layout methods to make them fit the viewport (Grid, Multi-Column, or Flexbox) and use CSS queries to regulate the size of the elements.

#7 Original illustrations

These are critical to developing attractive and accessible websites since they help to create overall richer designs. For example, hand-drawn or vector graphics for various types of projects or designs with a wide variety of images, logos, and other elements.

But do not forget about mastering color selection and appropriate placement for effective communication when it comes to designing web pages (Photoshop or Illustrator).

#8 The emotional design

The role of emotional design will only grow in the upcoming months. Most people are tired of too much colorful and heavy designs, and they look for those minimalistic and relaxing ones. Try to transmit calmness and trust more than ever in 2023.

#9 Single-page apps

With all the information that enters our brains nowadays, most websites and applications seem too loaded, with too many pages, words, and promises.

Single-page application performance is significantly faster than traditional web apps, while the app experience feels more seamless. Furthermore, such solutions reduce UX lag and speed up loading.

But it can be tricky. By switching to a single-page application you can make your project future-proof, but do not forget that you should not cut on the necessary information and appealing design, modernity, and elegance.

10# Eco product design

The word “sustainability” is widely applied to define the processes, measures, and actions through which humanity avoids the exhaustion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance. It has three key topics: social, economic, and environmental.

The trend shows no signs of slowing down.

From pro-environmental notifications and friendly animations to products oriented towards reducing fuel emissions — there are so many ways to implement pro-environmental aspects and the right colors into your design.

#11 Metaverse. meta design.

Metaverse is intriguing. As we expect to see more companies investing in efficient digital collaboration with Metaverse development, it is not wrong to say that 2023 is a year of it. Avatars, virtual spaces, and NFTs – users start to see them more and more often. Implementing some elements of the Metaverse promises to help you shape an opinion of your company or a product as of those that are always a step ahead.

The only way anyone is successful with their product today is through finding a way to personalize the product while staying true to its original concept and making sure it’s usable and up-to-date.

For free consultation about app design and development click here.

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