2024 was a defining year for UI/UX, characterized by cutting-edge AI features, some controversial updates, and significant industry changes. Here's a recap of the most notable events.

Changes in the UI/UX Landscape

InVision Closes Its Doors

InVision, once a leading name in UX design, shut down its platform at the end of 2024 due to fierce competition from Figma. Miro acquired Freehand, InVision’s virtual workboard tool, and integrated it into its platform. Users were advised to migrate their work before the shutdown deadline.

Biggest UI/UX Updates of 2024

Figma AI: Smarter Tools for Designers

Figma introduced a beta suite of AI-powered features that streamline tasks like component search, prototyping, and content generation while prioritizing data privacy. These beta features were available for free through 2024, with future plans for scalability and tailored pricing.

Samsung One UI 7: AI Comes to Mobile

Samsung launched One UI 7 with powerful AI tools like writing assistance and a new "Now Bar" for quick access to essential functions. The update also included a more intuitive camera interface, focusing on smoother transitions and easier controls.

3D UI Designs: Paving the Way for AR/VR

With the release of devices like Apple Vision Pro, augmented and virtual reality drove a major shift in UI/UX design. 3D interfaces now offer more immersive experiences than the usual 2D-based patterns and approaches. As brands embrace this shift, designers are exploring new ways to use spatial layouts, signaling the next big trend in design.

Biggest UI/UX Controversies of 2024

Apple’s iPhone Photos App Redesign

Apple’s iOS 18 overhaul of the Photos app didn’t sit well with users, who found the new layout cluttered and unintuitive. AI-driven features and the loss of familiar navigation options left many longing for the old design.

Spotify’s New UI: A Step Too Far?

Spotify’s latest update, which introduced a "Create" button, annoyed users who felt it disrupted their experience. The button was seen as redundant and pushed AI-driven features that many didn’t want, highlighting a growing tension between innovation and user comfort.

Ethics in Growth Design

The challenge of balancing business goals with ethical considerations was discussed in the context of growth design. Ethical design, as advocated by companies like LinkedIn and Duolingo, emphasizes user-centered solutions that align with business objectives while respecting users' needs.

Nike’s $25B Data Blunder

Nike’s $25 billion marketing failure underscored the risks of relying too heavily on data. A shift to digital-first sales overlooked customer insights, resulting in poor inventory management and alienation of broader audiences. This underscores the importance of balancing quantitative and qualitative insights in both UI/UX and business decisions.

Future of UI/UX: What’s Next?

Five New Roles for Designers

As AI continues to shape the design industry, new roles are emerging. These positions, such as Meta-Designer and Pattern Wrangler, focus on managing design processes, ensuring coherence, and maintaining user-centered approaches despite automation.

AI Beyond Chatbots

Innovative interface ideas are pushing the boundaries of AI, offering new ways to interact with technology. Concepts like visual feedback loops and intelligent research assistants point to a future where AI enhances creativity and reasoning in design.

Wrapping It Up: UI/UX in 2024

In 2024, UI/UX experienced significant changes with AI-driven tools shaping the design process. Key events, like InVision's closure and the rise of AR/VR interfaces, showed where the industry is headed. Brands are diving into immersive 3D designs, and companies like Nike are learning the importance of balancing data with customer insights. The focus remains on improving technology while keeping the user experience at the center. These trends will continue to evolve and influence the design world in the years to come.

  • Technologies