Top 10 UX trends to know about in 2024

Are you ready for what 2024 has in store for user experience (UX) design and research?

If you work in user experience, you know that emerging trends and new areas of exploration are constantly pushing the boundaries of the industry.

As we enter a new year, it’s a great time to take stock of what experts are predicting for the next 12 months. What big trends will shape how we approach our UX research and work?

In the spirit of learning, we’ve compiled a list of the top UX trends of 2024 that you need to watch out for.

From design trends to artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, this list of expert-predicted trends is the perfect place to start exploring the concepts and fields of research that will shape the industry throughout the year ahead.

2024 is here, along with new UX trends that challenge past practices and advance the research discipline.

The past few years of UX research have been fast-paced and dynamic, and it looks like this year’s advancements are already full steam ahead.

With this in mind, here are the 10 emerging 2024 UX trends we have our eyes on:

Generative design

A key 2024 trend is the use and development of improved generative design tools—AI-powered resources that can create visual images and concept art.

You may have already seen or played with generative AI art tools like OpenAI’s DALL-E3. But, as demand for and interest in this service has increased, well-known design tools like Canva have also dipped their feet into generative image and design software.

The principle is simple: type in the keywords or parameters of what you are looking for and have AI tools create a starting point for your next design.

While this trend took off in 2023, refining these tools’ abilities will undoubtedly be a focus point of UX design in 2024. UX designers will need to learn how to use these AI-powered resources in their work while ensuring it remains authentic and individual (something that will challenge designers as the year progresses).

Anticipatory design

Anticipatory design has been a trending concept in UX leading into 2024.

As a technique used to streamline a user’s experience on your website or app, anticipatory design aims to be one step ahead of the user to help guide them toward a purchase or desired interaction.

The goal is to reduce barriers and the cognitive load needed to access the quality resources and solutions the customer is looking for.

Companies need to look back at past data to identify behavioral trends and thereby anticipate customers’ needs. Your UX team can use this data to make recommendations for improving the user’s experience when interacting with your brand.

This trend will be highly useful to explore for brands looking to land more satisfied customers in 2024.

Accessibility

Accessibility in UX design has been a trending topic for the past few years. However, according to Alan Redondo, a digital marketer from Ardoz Digital and an SEO expert for Walmart, it will play an even bigger role in 2024.

“In 2024, designers will be even more committed to creating interfaces everyone can use, including people with disabilities. We’re talking about making sure things like screen readers, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast modes are built in,” he explains.

One big reason why accessibility will be such a focus of UX design in 2024 is the increasing legal and social pressure pushing for improved inclusivity.

“A big thing in UX design is coming up with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) kicking in on June 28, 2025. It’s setting new rules for how accessible products and services need to be. UX designers, especially in places where these accessibility laws are coming into play, have to make sure they’re meeting these standards. They’ll be using tools like plugins for design programs and resources like the A11Y Project to get it right.”

The A11Y Project is a community-driven hub that makes digital design more accessible. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their UI and UX accessibility this year.

Ethical design

Another connected trend for 2024 is the push for increased ethical design.

As a catch-all term for a wide variety of design practices, high-quality, ethical design aims to respect a user’s private information and data while being accessible to a broader audience with mindful pattern and color use.

“[Ethical design] means being really clear and careful about privacy and making sure everyone can use what we’re designing,” explains Alan. “Keeping personal info safe, letting users control their own data, and including everyone are top priorities.”

Brands that choose to commit to ethical design practices in 2024 won’t just become more inclusive. They will also achieve their communal beliefs, morals, and visions, rising to the top of their industries as a result.

Micro-interactions

Micro-interactions are small animations or movements that communicate a function or task being completed. They are everywhere. And, as we move into 2024, their use cases are only increasing.

Things like swipe animations, loading circles, and little confetti cannons after a sale goes through are all examples of micro-interactions. When used correctly, they help guide your users and communicate information without the need for additional text.

To properly integrate micro-interactions into your UX design, it’s important to understand their four primary components:

1. Triggers: the initial action that triggers the beginning of a micro-interaction, like a user clicking a button or moving on your landing page

2. Rules: a set of guidelines the micro-interaction must follow to ensure it activates at the right time and in the right way

3. Feedback: an indication that the action has been completed, like a “woosh sound” when your email is sent or an animated checkmark popping up after a successful purchase

4. Loops and modes: the duration of the micro-interaction, which should be adjusted based on the type of task the animation is supporting

Despite their benefits, it’s advisable to exercise caution and restraint when adding micro-interactions to your existing digital resources. Try not to overdo it—this would make your site or app feel clunky and confusing (both things you want to avoid for a great 2024 user experience).

Augmented and virtual reality

User experience can be significantly improved with well-created augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). AR is a technology that overlays virtual resources onto the existing environment, while VR creates a brand new digital reality for you to exist in.

AR and VR are hugely impactful technologies already taking over the video game industry, so 2024 will be the year they transition into more user-centric applications.

Possible use cases for these technologies include virtual teaching opportunities in niche areas of study like medicine or trades, augmented reality furniture and clothing shopping experiences, and interactive entertainment. UX experts versed in AR and VR are highly sought after for work in 2024.

Personalization

While this trend isn’t necessarily new in 2024, the demand for increased personalization in UX design is expected to keep rising as the year goes on.

More and more consumers expect a more personalized experience every time they interact with a brand. This means UX designers who want to keep up with the times and provide great results need to find ways to integrate consumer insights and preferences into their work.

With AI-powered software that collects user insights, UX designers can craft user journeys aligned with customers’ unique requirements, delivering experiences tailored to individual needs.

Personalization signifies predicting users’ expectations and aligning the product or service with their goals. This results in more helpful, engaging, and easy-to-understand design solutions.

Personalization is key to long-term brand loyalty and improved customer experience. UX designers who choose to double down on this trend in 2024 can expect significant returns on their efforts.

Dark-mode

Are you a fan of dark-mode design? If so, you’re not alone!

The demand and interest in offering compatible dark-mode versions of web designs will steadily increase into 2024. This means UX designers need to know how to use this trend to improve their digital products.

Defined as designs that “invert” traditionally white or light color schemes into darker options, dark-mode designs are a popular choice for websites and apps used for day-to-day activities.

Dark mode can be easier on the eyes as it uses less bright white space, but it can also pose problems if text and images are not adjusted to meet the theme correctly.

Historically, dark-mode options have been an afterthought for designers. However, in 2024, they are predicted to be a more prominent part of great UX design.

AI integration

As possibly the most talked about trend of 2024 already, AI integration into UX and user interface (UI) designs is touching almost every industry and niche.

Researchers have felt the pressure of the AI boom for the past few years. The demand for and interest in AI-powered products, resources, and shortcuts has never been stronger.

“Here’s how I see it—AI integration in UX changes everything. We’re no longer just designing interfaces. We’re crafting intelligent environments that learn, adapt, and even predict user needs,” explains Ruslan Valis, VP of Production and Design at DashDevs.

“In my work, I’ve seen firsthand how AI can transform a user’s journey from a static path to an interactive dialogue. It’s about creating an experience that feels almost magically attuned to the user.”

But, just because AI is being painted as a magical solution to every problem, it shouldn’t replace the power and skill set of well-trained UX experts.

“...let’s not sugarcoat it. The rise of AI in UX poses a real challenge to the human element in design. As someone who values user-centric approaches, I worry that over-reliance on AI could lead to a homogenized, impersonal user experience,” Ruslan explains.

This year’s challenge in the field of UX and UI design will be striking a balance between machine-learning resources and human-driven creation. We’re sure it will be a hot-button topic as this year continues.

Sustainability

Finally, to wrap up our list of the best UX design trends in 2024, let’s look at sustainability and eco-conscious design. These are expected to be in high demand this calendar year.

It’s no secret that the climate crisis is a top-of-mind issue worldwide. It makes sense that consumers, UX designers, product teams, and developers are interested in more sustainable options when designing new products.

Concepts like energy-efficient design, minimalist style, and reducing digital carbon footprints are popular sustainable options that eco-friendly companies are exploring.

As the demand for sustainable options expands within consumer markets, companies that invest in this trend and transparently share their improvements with their audience will come out on top.

Sustainability isn’t about greenwashing. In 2024, companies making bigger moves to commit to more eco-friendly design and practices will see remarkable benefits.

New year, new UX trends. Are you up to date with the trends and concepts coming your way in 2024?

UX is a dynamic field of study, especially with the recent emergence of AI tools and resources speeding up previously time-intensive practices. So, whether you’re a UX researcher or just a fan of all things user experience, keeping up with the latest expert-predicted trends is one of the best ways to allow your research and projects to push the boundaries of modern-day practices.

Use this resource as a helpful jumping-off point to get you curious and interested in what’s to come in 2024. We know these trends have got us excited for some big, exciting changes this year!

A big thank you to the UX and UI experts who provided insights for this piece. Find them via their LinkedIn profiles below:

• Alan Redondo is a seasoned digital marketing expert with over 15 years of comprehensive experience across all aspects of the field. Alan’s proficiency extends beyond web design, SEO, and content marketing, encompassing a wide range of digital marketing disciplines.

• Ruslan Valis is the VP of Production and Design at DashDevs, a fintech software agency. He has over 12 years of experience in UX-related work, including software engineering, leadership, and software architecture.