When you are asked about the definition of product design, you might say that product design is the process of creating products. Basically, you are right about that. However, product design goes beyond this definition as it involves comprehensive processes that may start from identifying a problem or consumer demand up to the final quality assurance of the product.
Usually, web design companies in the UK and businesses hire product designers since they have vast skills and knowledge that not only solve a consumer’s problem but also design products aligned with the company’s mission and goals.
Furthermore, product design is not limited to tangible products, but it also covers digital products, such as software and web-based applications. In the U.S., the product design services industry is a $3 billion market with over 12,000 businesses and 23,000 industry professionals.
So, if you are a product manager, developer, programmer, and especially designer, these product design trends for 2023 are just right for you to understand the current demands and preferences of consumers.
Minimalistic Approach
In terms of design, the minimalistic approach has been the trend for the last few years. This trend is expected to continue as users prefer products that are easy to use and learn. Even though a product’s visual appeal is essential, as a product designer, you should not compromise its functionality over the design.
For instance, over-the-top graphics and images on websites can result in slower website loading. But according to an Entrepreneur article, consumers expect at least two seconds for a website to load. And if it doesn’t they will leave the site. Thus, going for minimalistic that prioritizes functionality is still the current trend this 2023.
Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication is not new, but it will continue to grow in 2023. In this age of technology, mobile phones allow facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Both can be used to enhance security, such as in mobile banking apps and social media accounts, and offer convenience for users.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Integration
Virtual reality is a simulated environment that allows users to see and interact with virtual surroundings. On the other hand, augmented reality integrates digital information, such as images and sound, with the user’s environment in real-time. Their main difference is that AR uses real-world settings, while VR is completely virtual.
Incorporating VR and AR into the product design allows users to visualize a particular product before they purchase it. Furthermore, it can make the product design process faster and more efficient for designers. It helps them visualize actual products in a modeled environment or create the visualization of a product in a real environment.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design
As people have become more aware of climate change and environmental issues, most product designers aim for a more eco-friendly and sustainable product design. In fact, according to Business News Daily, consumers consider a company’s environmental footprint before purchasing its products. Furthermore, based on their survey, 72% of the consumers are actively buying more eco-friendly products than they did five years ago.
Thus, a sustainable and eco-friendly design is one of the current trends of product design this 2023.
Personalized User Experience
Every year’s end, Spotify releases personalized Spotify Wrapped dedicated to their users. Meanwhile, Twitter has now personalized ‘For You’ tab. Although it is not a new concept, the personalization of products has seen positive outcomes for product owners and developers, especially on the internet.
According to an Epsilon survey, 8 out of 10 consumers are more likely to purchase a product when brands offer personalized experiences. So, you can expect that product designers will create products, especially digital products, personalized for their consumers.
Final Thoughts
The product design industry is a gradually growing market since consumers continuously demand products that can solve their problems or offer convenience. Whether you are a business owner, a project manager, a developer, and especially a product designer, you need to know the current product design trends to keep up with consumer demands.
This year, some of the product design trends are the minimalistic approach, biometric authentication, VR and AR integration, sustainable and eco-friendly design, and personalized user experience. If you are a product designer, hopefully, you can consider these things in your next product design projects.
