8 undoubtably true predictions for UX in 2019
The annual UX industry predictions you didn’t know you needed.
No matter how much I cringe at end-of-year trend articles, and predictions for the coming year, I always click them. Last year, I wrote this article to take a new spin to looking ahead.
This year, we’re looking to 2019. Each entry asks you to vote for whether you think the prediction is Too Real, Plausible, or Absurd. Use Medium’s highlighter to leave your vote, like this:
And if you have comments on my predictions, I’d love to hear them.
Let’s go!
1. We still won’t know if everyone — or no one — is a UX designer
The esoteric debate about who is and isn’t a UX designer will continue. And, of course, the question of what UX really is. It’s essential to the industry. The confusion that simmers under the surface sustains us all. Plus, as more and more UXers call themselves product designers or move into management roles, calling everyone a UX designer will maintain the illusion that it’s still the hottest field to be in.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
* reminder: 👆 that’s where you vote, highlight your vote
2. Designers will summon forces of darkness
If you’re entering 2019 and have yet to design a dark interface, fall on your sword and submit your resignation. It’s not about your users preferring a dark interface. It’s about your responsibility as a designer to do what is right, and design for darkness.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
3. You’ll wish you had a remote job so you can finally live the dream of not interacting with others in real life
Remote positions will continue to proliferate. Facilitate a strategy workshop from an outdoor music festival in the rain? Hand draw wireframes off-the-grid in a remote village by candlelight? Wait for sign off on that new button hover state from your uncle’s basement with a freshly microwaved hot-pocket?
Sign. Me. Up. Why still work in an office like some kinda caged animal? Surely the less we interact with humans, the better we’ll get at designing products for humans.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
4. Tons of new tools, all going unused
Year after year we see new tools come out. Trying to dethrone the leaders or failed attempts at making the perfect tool. In 2019, new tools wont really serve the industry. In fact, the distractions they cause for designer will do more harm than good. Sure, we’ll get excited about new tools, but that wont change what we actually use on a daily basis.
But, will 2019 see some big acquisitions? Tools buying other tools? I sure hope so, we could use a little excitement like this.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
5. A new, gritty UX trend for the world’s fast growing ideologies of hate
When UX was coined, it never said we should only be designing for users we agree with, or are objectively not-evil. More and more people around the world are comfortable with expressing their bigotry. They’re saying things in public that is now the new normal. UXers smell opportunity.
Many will start empathetically designing products for these fascist users. Don’t they deserve delightful digital experiences to remove friction brought on by societal norms of what it means to be a respectable human being?
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
6. As UXers age, Ageism will keep them confident
With each passing year, UX designers are getting older. And with age, comes irrelevance—especially in tech. All the while, newer, faster, and cooler-by-default designers are jumping in and making the old ones sweat.
But the rapidly-greying UX community will fight back with new arguments about the immaturity and naiveté of the new kids. If they play their cards right, the kids will never know what they don’t know.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
7. Blobs, Squircles, and Reuleaux Triangles will battle for dominance
In 2018 shapes were a thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good blob as much as anyone. Nothing’s changing in 2019, except new shapes will fight for dominance. Squircles will come back, and reuleaux triangles will be everywhere, with all kinds of new textures. Most importantly, designers will keep busy on the critical topic of shape trends.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
8. The end-days of the T-shaped UX Designer will commence
Let’s face it, the days of the generalist UX designer that does all the things is coming to an end. Except for budget strapped companies, most will see specialists as the ones to hire. A researcher trained in research and a UI designer who knows UI magic will, in the end, lead to a better result. A UX designer who claims to do everything will give up and become a manager.
Too Real
Plausible
Absurd
There you have it—2019 in the bag. Thanks for reading. Please share with others who may enjoy, and let me know what you thought below. If this article is anything like last year’s, none of these will come true. 😅
And for the podcast lovers, check out this episode on Opacity. We talk more about these predictions, and more.
