What is UI?
"User interface," or UI, design implies the design of user interfaces and other types like voice-controlled interfaces for applications, software, or websites. It’s about aesthetics of programming, the appearance (graphical layout), with a notion to improve user experience.
In layman's terms, a user interface is the feature of an application or device that allows users to interact with it. It includes buttons that users click, reading text, text entry fields, images, sliders, screen layout, transitions, interface animations, and all remaining items the user may interact with. Imagine you are filling a contact form on a company’s website, your user interface, in this scenario, most probably would comprise of a text box, drop-down list, radio buttons, and similar components that allow you to fill in the requisite details into the company’s portal.
To summarize, it can be said that UI comprises elements that are needed to be designed, such as animation, interaction, or any other visual element.
Types of UI Design
There are several types of UI design; however, the following three tops the charts-
- Graphical user interface (GUI): A GUI is an arrangement of interactive visual components of computer software on a digital screen. A GUI displays components that convey information, and allow actions to be taken by the user. The components could switch color, size, or visibility as the user starts interacting with these components on the screen. The essential features of a well-designed GUI should ideally be sketched to support decent findability and learnability.
- Voice user interfaces (VUI): A voice-user interface lets humans interact with computers using voice. It uses speech recognition to grasp voice commands and questions; moreover, it also uses a typical text-to-speech method to reply. An ever-increasing demand for voice-enabled assistants across the globe showcases the fact that its usage is quickly gaining traction.
- Menu-driven interface: A menu-driven interface allows you to interact with a device through a series of screens or menus. It displays a range of options in menu form via pop-ups, full-screen, or drop-down. It can be both verbal and visual. ATMs are an example of a menu-driven interface.
Popular Trends in UI design for Web
The following are the latest hot trends in terms of UI design:
- Aesthetic illustrations: Aesthetic illustrations are a significant factor for elements laced with animation and line-style drawing. This UI design trend is gaining popularity as it enhances the aesthetics, makes the design artistically appealing.
- Audio-user Experiences: This trend is probably going to soar high even more shortly. It augments web experiences significantly by the addition of musical scores and other sound effects.
- Breaking typography rules: Originally, it started as a trend in 2020. Now stabled, this trend would perhaps still be trending in the foreseeable future. The essential element to this trend is that even after shattering the typography rules, a user could still comprehend the intended projection of the designer.
- Color-changing Gradients: It's been a savage comeback by color-changing gradients after being overshadowed by flat designs for a brief time. By the virtue of adding depth, dimension, and realism, it is trending everywhere with a range of features, such as multi-color bold background gradients and subtle texture gradients.
- Dark-theme Design: With an increasing number of people caring for the environment and their eyes, no wonder that the demand for dark-theme design is soaring. This theme augments the readability factor for typography.
