UX/UI design will undergo global changes in 2025 due to the introduction of new technologies (AI, VR, XR, VUI) and changing user behavior. Market is not standing still: according to Jaewoo Joo research, in 2024, 70% of UX/UI designers surveyed will use AI, and a growing number of top companies and corporations require the introduction of voice user interfaces (VUI). Let's take a look at what new trends will be actual in 2025, as well as some trends from previous years that will not lose their relevance.
Immersive user interface (AR and VR)
Increasingly popular will be UI/UX design created using virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. Users will get more interactivity and dynamism, since
VR will provide movement into a vivid virtual environment, while AR will allow virtual content to be overlaid on the real world. The outcome of merging these two technologies will be the creation of Augmented Reality (XR), where the real and virtual world will be blended. In addition to the usability and beauty of UI/UX, developers will also need to consider engaging and realistic design.
SharpesXR: VR prototyping program SharpesXR
Virtual Reality (VR) technology will be applied to every aspect from gaming to telecommuting. More immersive environments will give users an engaging and memorable experience. In 2025, the focus will be on realism and total immersion, where all interactive objects will respond to any user reaction.
Hand tracking and VR in UI/UX
Extra Reality (AR) integration into applications could be realized, such as the ability to virtually try on clothes before buying them. Another option is to create a more comfortable and interactive learning environment that will facilitate learning new skills and understanding information. For example, Froggipedia is one of the most interesting already existing applications with AR integration, where medical students only need to install a program on their smartphone to dissect a frog and study its insides.
Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI in 2025 has the potential to revolutionize the field of UX/UI and graphic design, from increasing personalization by analyzing user behavior to automating repetitive tasks. According to an Adobe study, 57% of the 13,000 employees surveyed from the marketing industry as well as their clients said AI enhances their creativity. And a survey by Jaewoo Joo of 123 UI/UX developers found that designers have already been using AI development for more efficient data processing and testing.
Jaewoo Joo survey: Using AI in design
Increased personalization may be the most promising application of artificial intelligence. Studies show that customers are more positively disposed to a product if they feel a personalized approach and see themselves reflected in the design. This technique was successfully used back in 2016 by the creators of the game Rust, where randomization of the character's skin color was connected. AI technologies, on the other hand, will take this process to the next level.
AI will be able to analyze data about the behavior of a particular user, his preferences and localization, and offer him a unique interface for his request. The brand concept will be preserved, but the site/application will not look identical for different people.
Ptpinc: To provide a better user experience, AI will assess the user's emotional well-being
This is possible because AI can efficiently process large data sets, segment audiences, and provide dynamic content delivery.
How is AI applied in UI/UX design?
There are numerous spheres of artificial intelligence application in design, but let's highlight the main directions:
Analyzing large volumes of user data. The AI will independently process data about potential customers' requests and identify trends in their behavior. UI/UX developers have no need to familiarize themselves with various studies;
Automation. Routine and repetitive tasks, such as creating template layouts, can be delegated to AI;
Developing navigation instructions for customers. AI will help make it easier for consumers to find the right information/section, and algorithms will be guided by the characteristic behavior of a particular user. This applies both to creating different sections of the main resource and feedback messages for customers (e.g. AI-based chatbots);
Improved prototyping and testing. AI will help create prototypes and layouts that more closely match visitor requests;
Increased accessibility. AI creates more inclusive design that targets a broader CA while being tailored to individual users;
Creating emotional design. AI in combination with facial and sentiment recognition technologies will be able to adapt the interface to the emotional state of visitors. That is, the display of the site will literally change. Such interfaces will be more responsive;
Attracting new customers and retaining the audience. This is possible because AI can quickly identify the user and offer them the right products/services at the right time.
Popular AI tools for designers
The number of new tools will only grow, keeping in mind the AI trends. But for now, let's look at interesting services and projects that UI/UX designers can start exploring now:
Unbounce Smart Copy. A service for generating text with high conversion rates for basic pages. GEO-location and visitor preferences are taken into account;
Uizard. The program uses machine learning (ML) and AI to convert hand-drawn sketches and screen photos into functional prototypes. The program uses machine learning (ML) and AI to transform hand-drawn sketches and screen photos into functional prototypes;
Uizard: Screenshot of Uizard's AI-based tool
Pendo AI. AI-based service that selects and analyzes visitor feedback and, based on it, generates suggestions and ideas to improve the site, including the UI/UX area;
Hotjar AI. A service with analytical data in the form of a heat map. With its help, you can see how users interact with the site (what keys they press, how they navigate through sections, etc.).
Acrolinx. The service's AI helps generate content and gives suggestions according to company-specific standards. Creators get prompts by interacting with chatbots;
Research AI. Service for automating analytical tasks. It is enough to upload data (information from social networks, surveys, etc.) to get detailed analytics and hints on how to improve a website/application.
Hotjar: A tool for creating a heat map of visitor activity on a website
Using voice user interfaces
Voice tech will set the trends for 2025 as it improves customer interaction with digital products by making interfaces more intuitive. Voice user interface (VIU) is realized through the work of online bots, voice systems for navigation and so on. In the context of websites, VIUs offer interaction through voice commands and thus make it easier to find the right products/services/information. The reason for the popularity is simple - it is more typical for any potential customers to speak than to type. Besides, VIU acts as a solution for people with disabilities. What trends await in the development of VUI:
Increasing natural language processing (NLP): Voice interfaces will increasingly be able to understand natural language. This is not only about increasing vocabulary, but also understanding different stylistic constructions. This will increase the accuracy of responses;
More natural responses: voice assistants are evolving and can provide increasingly full and engaging dialog.
Voice User Interface Designer (voice UX designer) is usually in charge of VUI development. In 2025, specialists working with voice interfaces will need knowledge not only in web and logo design, but also in psychology, linguistics, and analytics. To simplify the prototyping of voice dialog it is already possible to use such programs as Sayspring, Amazon Alexa Skill Builder and SDK.
Sayspring: Example of a tool for prototyping voice dialogs
Even in the initial stages of development, it is important to understand whether a particular scenario is suitable for implementation in audio format, what wording to use to build a natural dialog and how to quickly adapt the text and design when the input conditions change. However, preliminary audience analysis still plays a decisive role.
Increasing the number of microinteractions
The trends of 2025 are aimed at offering a more engaging user experience and creating an easy-to-understand interface. Microinteractions - small details of an app/site, clicks on which provide additional instructions for further actions or make routine tasks more fun. Examples of popular microinteractions: “swipe” instead of the classic ‘click’, animation of any processes and buttons, highlighted actual information about the status of the current process, and so on. Thus, the microphone icon in the application often starts pulsing to show the user that his speech is recognized. The main advantages of microinteractions:
focus attention on a specific element or block of information;
give the user cues through them;
improve navigation;
give feedback after actions have been performed;
make the application/site interface more emotional;
increase user engagement.
In 2025, the emphasis in interactions will be on emotion and humor to make the interface more human. Also, current trends aim for increasing personalization.
Animation of buttons and processes is an important element when creating an interface
In animations, the popularity of Lottie will continue. After all, such animations are lighter than GIF files and their loading speed is much faster. Lottie files do not cause performance damage, but add dynamism. To avoid overload, designers will favor “thin animations” with smooth transitions.
Active use of Web3 technologies
Websites and applications with high decentralization, blockchain technology and economic processes based on cryptocurrencies will become increasingly popular. So UI/UX designers will increasingly explore the niche of Dapps (decentralized applications), bots for automated trading, crypto wallets and exchanges (CEX and DEX). In addition to development and design skills, this will require an understanding of blockchain technology: decentralized platforms, NFT, token management, cryptographic keys and smart contracts. In addition, it should be taken into account that the Web3 ecosystem is extremely dynamic - new projects and tools are constantly being created, and innovative technologies are being introduced.
Solflare website: Example dapp - Solflare crypto wallet on Solana blockchain
A major goal of the Web3 UX/UI designer is to make it easier for users to understand decentralized applications and the concept of blockchain. For this purpose, in 2025, developers will have to create clear hints and provide easy navigation. It is important that even a novice can easily use the functionality of dapps, conduct transactions with cryptocurrencies and use analytics tools for trading. What are the main principles of Web3 UX/UI that developers will adhere to:
Increased transparency. When designing dapps, it is necessary to give users a clear and visual representation of how transactions take place, how much money is in the account, and how the application can be managed;
More permissions. The interface should give users the ability to manage assets and keys easily and securely;
Adaptive interfaces. They should encourage and simplify interactions between different blockchains and platforms;
Ensuring security. Advanced encryption methods and algorithms for user authentication should be used to protect personal data and assets.
Trends that will stay relevant in 2025
The introduction of AI and VR are pretty fresh trends in UX/UI design. But not all trends that will be relevant in 2025 are innovative. Principles such as inclusivity and minimalism, already familiar to most designers and developers, will not lose popularity. After all, the main goals are to make applications/sites understandable for users and to make information presentation as easy as possible. Design trends in top programming languages have already been taken into account. For example, HTML5 is actively used in the development of Telegram games.
Design inclusivity
UX/UI designers should take care in 2025 to ensure that digital experiences are accessible to users with different skills, gender, age, preferences and limitations caused by disabilities. That is, the web design should have been designed for the widest possible audience. Realizing this principle often requires: