Trends come and go, but are they worth jumping on the band wagon?

Particularly in the UX design industry, trends happen often, promising innovation and better user experiences. However, this year there are a few “trends” that stand out, being more than just the latest design advice. These best practices are things all professionals should know about. They aren’t fads but rather meaningful shifts in how we design for user needs in an evolving world. 

Better Accessibility Design 

Accessibility design isn’t new in the user experience space. But adaptive interfaces are becoming increasingly more important as users of all abilities use digital interfaces and products. A design feature that use to be an afterthought is now a foundational stepping stone to better, inclusive design. As Eddie Bridgewater mentioned in his online article: companies and brands are learning that “Clear navigation, readable typography, logical interaction patterns, and adaptable layouts benefit every audience.” So, it’s no longer a task that sits at the end of the design process. Top companies like Microsoft now offer features within their products that accommodate a variety of disabilities like low vision, deafness, or hard of hearing. There are even tools for neurodiversity, mobility, and mental health. Designing with accessibility in mind can lead to more thoughtful, flexible experiences that also help a wider audience. 

Personalized Interfaces 

What’s better than a program or product that gets to know us and make our lives easier? Well this year, many of our interfaces we use on a daily basis are about to see an upgrade. According to Lyssna – 32% of designers say they see personalized interfaces making a real impact in 2026. The UX industry is seeing a rise in more adaptive interfaces that personalize layouts and interactions in real time. Making experiences more intuitive and seamless for returning customers. This trend will be seen in navigation; from prioritizing paths users take more frequently to functionality; showing only appropriate features based on the user’s expertise. While this is great for users who want customization, it can sometimes raise a few red flags. For these features to be tailored to us, we have to remember that AI is behind it all. It has to watch us and track our every move to first understand us, and that can sometimes cause privacy concerns. Hopefully down the line we will be able to choose tracking preferences, but it seems that this way of building interfaces will become the new normal, in an AI built world.  

Adding Motion to Design 

This last “trend” is no surprise to most designers. Motion design has always helped static screens seem elevated and have allowed brands to showcase who they are and their products in a unique way. But in 2026, it’s not about big animation stealing the show. As highlighted by Figma, a leading UX design program, this year it’s all about micro animation. Including scroll triggers, button ripples, animated pages and icons. For brands, this means adding personality at key touch points and showing off an experience that feels more engaging and memorable. These features are also known to keep customers on a page longer and help with the overall scrolling experience. With dynamic, digital screens now becoming more popular, interfaces that don’t have these effects may lose customers and get left behind. Now is the time to get comfortable creating these small animations and tweak projects to stay current.  

The Takeaway

With all the changes happening to the UX design industry, it’s hard to know where to look to stay ahead of the curve. What I have found most helpful is to learn the skills that are here to stay and to build and add to it, in your style. These best practices improve usability, inclusivity and overall user satisfaction. With better accessibility, personalized interfaces, and thoughtful motion graphics, we can create strong foundations that enhance user experiences for everyone.