As a business owner or product executive involved in product design, you may already know that it's an exciting field with ever-evolving trends. However, the present moment is especially exhilarating. This is due to the confluence of several trends such as AI/machine learning, robotics, and the Internet of Things that have been gaining momentum for the past decade in the tech market.
According to recent statistics, the use of artificial intelligence in product design has increased by over 20% from 2021. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years as more companies invest in AI to improve their product design processes.
Robotics is also playing an increasingly important role in product design, particularly in the manufacturing sector where robots are being used to automate tasks and improve efficiency. The Internet of Things is yet another trend that is shaking up the industry, as more products are becoming connected and able to communicate with each other. These advancements are unexpectedly converging and giving rise to new and exciting possibilities for product designers and their users.
As we head into the third quarter of 2023, it's important to take stock of the current landscape in product design and make some predictions about where the industry may be headed. This will help your business stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of the latest trends in the field. While we recognize that design is a crucial component of your business, we don't want to miss the opportunity to showcase our talented squad of designers on the BraveUX platform who can help you bring your vision to life.
With that in mind, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the current product design trends that are shaking the industry and will continue to do so in the years to come. Before we delve into that, let's take a closer look at the key concepts shaping the growth of the product design industry in recent years.
Key Concepts Shaping the Growth of Product Design
Product design has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by a variety of factors. Here are some key trends and developments that have contributed to this growth:
Increased focus on user-centered design
Product design has shifted away from solely focusing on aesthetics and towards user-centered design, which emphasizes understanding the needs and preferences of users. This approach involves research, usability testing, and iteration to create products that are intuitive, easy to use, and solve real problems for people.
Advances in technology
The growth of digital technology has transformed product design, making it easier and more affordable to create and test prototypes, collaborate with team members, and communicate ideas with users.
Emphasis on sustainability
Consumers and businesses are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of products, which has led to eco-consciousness on sustainable product design. This includes using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and providing users with products that are durable and repairable.
Globalization
With the rise of e-commerce and international trade, companies are designing products for global markets, taking into account different cultural norms, preferences, and regulations.
Importance of branding
In today's competitive marketplace, product design plays a crucial role in building brand identity and differentiation. Companies are investing more in creating unique, memorable product designs that align with their brand values and resonate with consumers.
These trends have contributed to the growth of product design as a profession, with more companies and industries recognizing the value of good design in creating successful products and businesses.
Product design trends have an impact on the product development process, especially now that technology is creating more ways for designers to solve problems in the design world. Let’s explore the current trends shaping product design and the workflow of product designers.
What are the Product Design Trends for 2023?
Product design is an exciting field that is constantly evolving to meet the needs and preferences of today's consumers. Several product design trends are shaping the design world. Here are the top 8 product design trends to keep an eye on this year:
1. Design Systems
Design systems are important for creating digital products. They help designers to make consistent designs that can be used in multiple products. This saves time and makes the design process more efficient. It can make your work faster and make changes easily.
Design systems are a set of rules and components that can help you to create products that look and work the same way. They include things like colors, fonts, and buttons. You can use these components to create new designs quickly, without having to start from scratch every time. This makes it easier to create digital products that look great and work well.
You can focus on the bigger picture of creating successful products, rather than getting bogged down in the details of design. You can spend more time understanding your user needs and testing designs (usability testing). This is important for creating products that are user-friendly and meet the needs of the target audience.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is very versatile and can be used for broad or specific conversations. Some people worry that AI will take away jobs, like writing introductions for product design articles. However, we believe that AI won't replace any smart product designer.
Instead, designers who know how to use AI will be in high demand.
AI is already being used to help with tasks like spelling, formatting sentences, and suggesting words to complete sentences on desktop and mobile devices. Among other AI trends, we are also seeing the rapid adoption of lightweight content management systems.
As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, you can use AI tools like Vizcom and Midjourney to quickly come up with rough design concepts. However, these concepts may lack important details that you will need to fill in later. You still play an important role in balancing the requirements of the project with your creativity.
3. Metaverse
The "metaverse" is a way to describe a more immersive internet where we can work, play and socialize in a persistent platform. It's expected to boost the global economy by $5 trillion by 2030. This year, we'll see more progress in augmented reality and virtual reality technology. This means we might have better meeting environments where we can talk, brainstorm, and create together in the metaverse. This space could serve as digital art for product designers optimizing UX workflows. Companies like Microsoft and Nvidia are already working on metaverse platforms for collaborating on digital projects.
Avatar technology will also become more advanced, meaning our online presence could look and act like us in real life. This could include unique body language and gestures. Some experts also think that AI-enabled autonomous avatars could represent us in the metaverse even when we're not there.
Already, companies are using metaverse technology to train and onboard employees. Accenture has created a virtual world called the Nth Floor where new hires and current employees can carry out HR tasks without needing to be physically present in an office.
4. The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connection of devices and infrastructure that gather data to create new technologies. It includes things like smart gadgets and appliances that we use in our homes and workspaces. In 2023, there will be a focus on improving communication between these devices by creating global standards and protocols that they can use to talk to each other. Another important area of focus will be improving IoT security to prevent attackers from gaining access to systems and data.
New technologies like 5G and 6G services will allow more devices to be connected, and communication between them will be improved. This will lead to more reliable connected devices that can be used in important procedures like robotic surgery. Brave Achievers expects a boom in products and services aimed at helping users manage their health and well-being with digital medical devices, especially with the ongoing threat of pandemics. Smart devices like Apple Watches and fitness trackers will have even more advanced features to help us monitor our health. These devices are called wearables.
5. Wearable Technology
For more than 10 years, people have been saying that wearables will change everything in our lives. It took a while, but it seems like they were right. Wearables have been tracking basic information about our sleep and activity levels, but in 2023, new technology could take things to the next level. Experts think that wearables will soon be able to measure things like blood glucose levels and blood pressure without any invasive procedures. This could have a big impact on public health.
There are many other ways that wearables could be used to improve our health. For example, there could be devices that track breathing or monitor recovery from a concussion. The new wearables are designed to be comfortable and easy to wear, so people might be more likely to use them.
6. Retro Design
Retro shades are a current trend in product design, with designers drawing inspiration from past eras to create products with a nostalgic feel. This trend is particularly prevalent in fashion and home decor, but it's also beginning to influence other areas of product design.
To create successful retro designs, designers need to consider the business goals of the product and the needs of the target audience. They need to strike a balance between nostalgia and modernity, creating products that are both familiar and innovative.
7. Motion Design
With the rapid development of new trends such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, designers are exploring new ways to incorporate motion into their products to enhance the user experience.
Incorporating motion into product design can create more intuitive and engaging interactions between users and products.
For example, smart home devices with motion sensors can detect when a user enters a room and adjust the lighting or temperature accordingly. Wearable devices with motion-tracking capabilities can provide more accurate and personalized fitness and health data. And in the automotive industry, motion design is used to enhance safety, comfort, and entertainment features in vehicles.
As motion becomes more prevalent in product design, you will need to have a deep understanding of the principles of motion design and how to use them in full range. This includes considerations such as the speed, direction, and smoothness of motion, as well as how motion can be used to communicate information and create emotional connections with users.
The integration of motion in product design is an exciting new trend that will continue to evolve and shape the future of products in various industries.
8. Robotics
In recent years, robots that can work on their own have become more and more common in the US. They're being used in a lot of industries, like making things, farming, and selling things online. In 2022, the field of humanoid robotics saw a significant shift with the introduction of Ameca. This robot stood out due to its fluid body movements and ability to display various facial expressions, making it an excellent choice for seamless customer interaction.
This trend isn't going away in 2023. In fact, it's growing because there aren't enough workers and some things are hard to get because of supply problems. Plus, robots are getting better at using their "brains" to find things, move around, and make quick decisions based on what's happening around them.
But it's not like robots will take over all the jobs. Instead, they can help people do their jobs better and more safely. Some factories are already using robots that can move things around to make it easier for workers who might have trouble carrying heavy stuff. This is just one way robots can be helpful.
When it comes to product design, one of the top trends for 2023 will be designing products that work well with robots. As more companies use robots to make and sell things, product designers will need to think about how their products can be used with robots. They might need to design products that robots can pick up easily or that can be assembled more quickly with the help of robots.
In addition, designers will need to think about how to make products that work well with voice commands, since many robots are controlled using voice. This means designing products with simple and clear interfaces that respond well to voice commands.
Tips to Keep up with the Latest Product Design Trends
Keeping up with technology trends in product design in 2023 can be exciting and a bit overwhelming, but there are some easy ways to stay informed. Here are some tips:
Stay informed: Keep up with the latest news and updates from tech companies, attend conferences and events, and read industry publications.
Learn new skills: To stay competitive, it's essential to keep learning new skills like motion design, artificial intelligence, and user experience design.
Collaborate: Partner with experts in related fields and collaborate to create innovative products that incorporate the latest technologies. Collaboration will make you increasingly aware of the latest product design trends.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Innovation often comes from taking risks and trying new approaches. You can make conscious effort to focus on human centered design, micro interactions, or material design to meet your users' needs.
By following these tips, you can stay ahead of the curve and enjoy rapid growth in the product design industry in 2023.
Conclusion
This year is going to be a game-changer for technological innovation in product design, with significant shifts that exceed even the most optimistic expectations. Technologies that have been percolating for years are finally coming to full fruition, which will subtly and significantly change our day-to-day lives.
At Brave Achievers, we are excited to offer valuable design services that incorporate these innovative technologies into your product. Our team of experts has a deep understanding of motion design, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies that can enhance the user experience of your products.
As we move toward the middle of 2023, we expect to see even more groundbreaking innovations in technology that will continue to change our lives for the better. This is why we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and incorporating these advancements into our design services to help you achieve your goals.
So, if you're looking to take your product design to the next level, check out the BUX platform today. Let us help you incorporate the latest technologies and design principles into your products to create a seamless and engaging user experience. The future of technology is NOW and together, we can create a successful product that truly makes a difference.