This year already has a considerable share of impact on the use of technology. Apps have been the protagonists, which has been reflected in the appearance of new trends in mobile application design in 2021.
With Covid-19, consumer habits have changed, considerably increasing the use of digital platforms.
During the lockdowns, an average of 7 new apps were downloaded per user. There was a 200% increase in the use of apps only during the summer of 2020. Without a doubt, mobile applications are in increasing demand.
Thanks to this increase in demand, new measures have been sought to encourage interaction and time spent in apps. For this, the user experience has been the answer, offering personalized and effective interfaces.
The 2021 mobile app design trends that we are going to discuss are as follows:
- Swiping
- Transparent Elements
- Dark Modes
- Neumorphism
- Transitions
Swiping
Swiping is an original way that allows the passage between several screens or facilitates access to new elements of an app. This action is widely accepted by users, as they consider it to be a comfortable and dynamic way of interacting with an application.
It helps navigation within the applications and is very effective in the event that only one hand is being used on the device.
The quintessential app that uses this type of interface is Tinder, a well-known platform for finding a partner. For its operation, if you slide your finger to the right it is "yes", if it moves to the left it is no, discarding the user.
BarkBuddy to find a pet, Jobr to find a job or Popcorn to find interesting movies, are some examples of other applications that rely on swiping for their operation.
Transparent Elements
The space of a mobile screen is much smaller than that of any computer or tablet. For this reason, the elements that help to provide a feeling of lightness and greater space in them improve the user experience.
For example, to be able to appreciate the background, transparent elements are a technique that helps to promote this dynamic impression.
Gradients, overlays or bursts of color will be semi-transparent or transparent, making it easy to adjust various elements and information in a small space.
Thanks to them, app designers make it possible to see through an image. As if you can touch what is behind it.
Dark Modes
According to Hootsuite, people spend 3 hours and 40 minutes a day in front of a mobile device, 10% more than last year. By spending so much time staring at a screen, the battery drains faster and users may experience eye strain due to its brightness.
To cope with these difficulties, the development of dark modes has been gaining presence in apps and popularity among users.
Eyesight does not tire as quickly or harm people, as in some cases of visual disturbances, normal mode can contribute to damage. In addition, it allows energy savings and the battery will last longer hours.
Among the most popular applications that use dark mode we find WhatsApp, Instagram, Gmail, Facebook Messenger or Telegram. Virtually all renowned apps have incorporated the ability to choose this functionality, and even those of third parties.
Neumorphism
It is one of the leading mobile application design trends of 2021. A groundbreaking technique to revolutionize the user interface with a style based on detail, also known as skeuomorphism.
What does it consist of? It is a design based mainly on adding realism and volume to the elements through shadows, highlights and gradients. By adding these elements, a much more perfectionist image is achieved that generates different shapes than those we are used to seeing.
Neumorphism could be a turning point to put aside the flat design and the simplicity of the forms, and bet on a more futuristic design, based on realism. A commitment to freshness that helps to generate a new sensation and that makes it stand out from the rest.
It requires high knowledge in design and code, so it is not usually found in basic applications. Currently, Apple is the brand that uses this trend the most in its applications, such as in its notepad or on its bookshelf, faithfully representing both concepts.
Transitions
When launching any product, you always seek to stand out from the competition. In the mobile app market, transitions are a good way to go. They attract attention, and are another way to add dynamism to the interface.
Transitions occur when activities within an application are started or closed. Expanding buttons, rotating icons, or pop-ups are some popular examples of this type of trend.
Going from one screen to another with elements that have movement does not leave anyone indifferent. What improves the user experience is by providing the visitors of the app with activity thanks to these animations.
We are used to seeing them on web pages, but they have been appearing more and more on this type of platform since 2020.
Conclusion
We consider that these techniques are practical when it comes to providing functionalities to an app as well as giving dynamism and a new style to the interface.
The importance of applications is reflected in the increase in the use of these devices among consumers. 67% of the population has a mobile device, so the number of potential consumers of an app is very high.
To stay up-to-date in this sector, in addition to UX and UI, there are also a number of trends in app development that provide benefits beyond design.
Standing out in a market with such demand can be achieved with a team of experts who help you develop a quality mobile application. Taking care of the user experience through a striking, updated and functional style is a determining factor for the success of an app.
