Incoming App Design Trends for 2021

Updating your mobile app’s design in-line with growing trends is key to maintaining user engagement and keeping up with the competition. Knowing what’s been a hit, and what new features and designs are set to be in demand over the next 12 months is an essential first step to boosting downloads and ensuring your app contines to work hard for your small business.

“Dark Mode” Option

We saw ability to turn on dark mode emerging as a key trend this year but don’t expect it to go anywhere as we head into 2021. In essence, dark mode flips the original design on its head, with a dark background and light text instead of the traditional light background and darker text. Many leading apps have implemented this, including Instagram, Android, and Apple.

This gives apps a modern and sleek appearance and users like being able to personalise the app by selecting the theme that they prefer. From a design element, this also gives new ways to highlight key elements, as well as saving battery life on older models and being easier on the eye.

Layering 3D Elements

3D elements have been incorporated into modern app design for some time now, but are extremely gripping and immersive for viewers as they merge the virtual world with the real one to create a unique user experience. This is another trend that shows no sign of dimming in popularity next year.

To really up the ante in 2021, try layering 3D elements by creating soft shadows or floating visuals, be this to text, images, or videos. This helps to create a lightweight feel while building more depth for a hyper-realistic design. Overlapping graphics with other elements also allows you to add more personality into your app that reflects your brand. This can in turn help you to build strong brand awareness and retain app users.

E-commerce

Given the spike in online shopping this year, it should come as no surprise to learn that e-commerce looks set to be the most important app trend of the next 12 months. Research suggests that mobile app spending is rising and, with more consumers saying that they will stick to online shopping rather than heading in store, haing an e-commerce element could mean big business in the New Year.