Is your product stuck in the minimalist past? If this sounds like your app, website, or product, it's time to think about the rise of expressive design. Big names like Apple and Google are already diving into this emotional UX movement, with Apple's Liquid Glass and Google's Material Design M3 Expressive. These aren't just updates; they're feelings in code. But you don't have to be a tech giant to join the party. In fact, this trend doesn't even begin with them.
Exploring the trailblazers
Let's tip our hats to the real pioneers who paved this creative highway long before Silicon Valley jumped on board. Spotify Wrapped has been delighting users with its annual burst of whimsy for years (it's basically a viral holiday). CashApp transformed financial transactions from formal to fun, making sending money feel like a casual conversation. Even Mailchimp got rid of its corporate skin in 2018, embracing quirky illustrations and cheeky copy to resoundingly stand out in a SaaS sea. Write SaaS platforms normally operate, but Gumroad took a different route by making pink their primary button color.
If you're designing, let your unique perspective shine through. Take cues from these innovators who reveal the magic that happens when bold choices disrupt the status quo.
Why now? A shift from sterile to spirited
What's driving this shift toward expressive design? To find out, we turned to two brilliant designers, Andrea and Neha.
Andrea summed it up perfectly: "Expressive design feels like a direct response to the fatigue people are getting from minimalist trends.” For years, minimalism ruled, draining color and character from our screens. But now, expressive design is here to shake things up.
Adding to this, Neha pointed out that, "Expressive design is bringing joy not only to the final product but to designers themselves." The pressure to break from conventional patterns is giving designers a fresh playground, inviting more fun and innovation.
Why should you care?In a crowded digital ecosystem, standing out is vital. Expressive design cuts through the noise. Whether you run a startup or lead a design team, grabbing user attention often hinges on evoking an emotional connection.
Taking the plunge: Your guide to expressive design
Thinking about diving in? Here's where to start:
1. Rethink functionalities: Turn mundane tasks into delightful interactions. Can you make that form feel like a game? A minor tweak can add surprise and joy to otherwise routine actions.
2. Embrace bold choices: Ditch the default button colors, consider a more engaging palette. Is there room for quirky illustrations, or playful animations, in your app's user journey?
3. Express your unique vision: Allow your distinctive outlook on the world to shine through your designs. Push the boundaries and create a narrative that welcomes the user in, while keeping usability as your north star.
4. Capture emotions: Whether through color, text, or another medium, ensure your design is making your users feel something. When products stir emotions, they linger in the minds of users long after they’re closed.
Wrapping it up
Sure, expressive design is riding high now, and like any trend, it'll ebb and flow. But the creativity it's injecting into the digital experience is invigorating. It's making the internet a more vibrant, engaging place, and thrillingly, you can be part of it.
Here at Koi Studios, we thrive on helping innovators like you bring this fresh approach to life. So, whether you're revamping a current product or crafting something entirely new, let's make it an exciting journey. Curious about where your design work could go? [Chat with our team](https://www.koistudios.io/contact) to explore how we can bring expressive design into your project.
