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There are over 5.7 million apps currently on the app stores; adding just another would not justify the competition in the market. Building a mobile app is a market tactic for businesses to unravel untapped customers.

However, this is not as simple as it sounds. 1 in every 4 people abandons an app just after their first use. The reasons can vary, but one of the common issues people face is a bad user interface (UI).

The user interface of an app defines the way it looks and responds to the users. If it doesn’t appeal to them or simplifies navigation, the mobile app will never gain the user interaction the developers wish for.

With every year, multiple mobile app designs come into the market. Some are a big hit, while others miserably fail.

So, we have done our research and come up with 20 mobile app UI designs that you can incorporate in 2021. These are some of the latest UI trends that will make your application interactive and look astounding.

1. Dark theme design

Dark themes are aesthetically powerful and soothing to the eye. Many applications, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Slack, have already adopted this design frame to reduce battery usage and push particular UI components.

The theme constitutes a dark background with light-colored elements to complement the color palette and make it look attractive. This mobile app design can be turned on and off as per the requirement. It is integrated chiefly to allow users to operate the app even in dimmer light without straining much on the eye.

2. Augmented reality/ Virtual reality

The year 2021 is about exploring new technology and amalgamating ideas into various elements for users to experience it themselves. The AR/VR is an innovative mobile app design inspiration that integrates real-world images to make users feel like they are inside the application.

These UI designs are primarily used in high-end games, real estate, e-commerce websites, educational videos to make the experience as authentic as possible. Integrating such technology into your mobile app will attract various users and embark on uniqueness in the market.

3. Voice control

Statistically, 41% of adults use voice search at least once a day. Siri, Alexa, Google assistant Bixby are all AI-integrated voice assistants that work on the user’s command. These make your mobile app design convenient and accessible even for disabled people.

This touchless technology is beneficial for users who don’t have much time and want single-line answers. Developers can also connect the voice control design theme with appliances that interpret the command and fulfill the action.

4. Passwordless theme

A few years back, having a password authentication system while a user logged into the app was necessary. Fast forward to 2021; we are moving to a technology that can verify identity through fingerprints, voice, and face recognition. Integrating such features will boost your mobile app and make it more user-friendly.

Passwords are usually challenging to remember and easy to crack. Thus, enabling a passwordless theme will amplify data safety and protect the user against any phishing attacks. It will also minimize any additional cost. Developers can link the user’s email or mobile number as authenticators, and sending a verification email, in this case, is almost free.

5. Chatbot design

Chatbots have shown 92% growth since 2019, making it the no.1 choice for businesses to interact with their audience. Most mobile apps now have a pre-installed AI-driven chatbot that answers questions and makes users comfortable on the interface.

Developers can integrate a chatbot that not just offers 24*7 assistance but help users understand the app, send welcome messages, show product videos in short, help them with everything they could expect from a human conversation. Our aim should be to mimic a human touch through slang, emotions, phrases, emojis, and sentence structure.

6. 3D design

Three-dimensional designs are primarily used in virtual games, but developers now adopt them in various mobile apps to make the interface closer to reality. Users are mostly tired of the same design structures and want something personalized and attractive.

The popularity of 3D UI designs will only go up due to its integration with augmented and virtual reality, gradients, unusual angles, layering, and shadows. However, developers must ensure that it’s lightweight and doesn’t affect the loading time of the mobile application.

7. Air gesture control

Using air gestures to control the movement on the mobile app is very attractive. Users can enable specific options on their phone setting to experience such effects. Here, users don’t have to touch the screen to make any changes; they can automatically do it through specific air gestures.

Some of the movements that can automate your mobile phone’s screens are-

• Quick glance- Users can look into their phones to read messages at a glance.
• Air jump- Move your fingers vertically to scroll the screen.
• Air accept- Wave at the screen to take any incoming calls.
• Air browse- Move your hands horizontally to look at albums, change songs, swipe through webpages, etc.

8. Neumorphism

“Neumorphism” originated from “new” and “skeuomorphism.” Here, the developers try to add dimensions and give a fuller effect to icons.

These are not 3-D designs but look much more accurate than our regular flat elements. The interface usually includes a light-colored palate, round edges, and shadows. The UI design produces an eye-soothing effect to create a soft visual of components placed on the screen.

However, there are certain limitations that developers need to combat before implementing the Neumorphism design. The elements placed are of a color similar to the background, which makes it difficult for navigation. Thus, the icons must be separated with proper borders for users to ensure standard readability.

9. Gradients

Gradient has come a long way from being categorized as a mistake for developers to be integrated into several mobile applications. Like Neumorphism, developers will create depth using shadows and give a fuller look to elements. Besides, here you will find a darker color palette compared with the background.

This mobile app design can be incorporated to highlight a certain element and give the interface a realistic effect. The correct balance of gradients over the screen would amplify the user’s readability and give them a clear space to navigate.

10. Personalisation

People are now inclined towards mobile apps that offer personalized interfaces through a data-driven matrix. They collect information analyzing past behaviors and only present elements that enhance user experience. Many big brands are using personalization as their USP to attract more users.

Remember how Netflix suggests shows that are similar to the ones their users are watching. The platform identifies the trends and makes the user feel that the content is specially curated for them. Many bigger apps, including Spotify, Amazon, Instagram, and others, use similar technology to deliver personalized experiences.

11. Interactive motion effect

Animation is the latest UI trend of 2021. Users would love to interact with the app’s interface through custom animation. Developers can use minimalistic animations to create curiosity and keep the users engaged. Many apps have integrated 3-D models to generate interactive motion effects that make the environment hyper-realistic.

We are now seeing many mobile apps allowing motion effects as the cursor moves, keeping the text still. These minor effects make the user interact more with the interface and entertain them even offline.

12. Animated data visualization idea

Users are bored of seeing numbers; they want a visually appealing interface that is easy to absorb. Thus, transforming numeric data into visuals has been prioritized in 2021. These changes encourage storytelling and help you grasp the information you might not see otherwise.

Developers are also adding animation to such data charts to make the content more appealing. These designs give a realistic effect to the user and make them stay more on the application. Personalized data charts with micro animation are seen as successful for many mobile applications.

13. Advanced animation

Animation is a great way not to lose your user’s interest even if your app is still processing data to load. Minimalistic animations are used in almost all apps to make the interface fun and interactive. Integrating motion into elements shows a higher response rate and boosts interaction between the user and the app.

Adding animation makes navigation easier for the user. It makes scrolling and swiping interactive and pushes them to use the app more. Minimalistic animation can convey information in a much more appealing way than simple texts.

14. Micro animations

Micro animations are similar to micro-interaction that guides a user through the task. Integrating this animation into the app’s UI design makes the information digestible. Remember, the moving circle every time you want to refresh something can be categorized as micro animations. These changes are rarely complimented but cannot be neglected.

Developers are increasingly evolving micro animations with better design frames to enrich interaction and offer clarity to the interface. Integrating this design frame will help users navigate easily and respond to the actions taken by them on the mobile app.

15. Disabled friendly animations

Developers can make their mobile applications user-friendly, even for specially-abled people, by integrating certain UI elements. Having a voice control feature, chatbot design, passwordless theme, motion sensors can be helpful for these users.

These apps should focus more on audio input and have an easier navigational path to make the interface more accessible. For deaf users, the developers should use a contrasting color-palate to make each element look distinctive and easy to operate.

16. Swiping and scrolling experience

These design frames might seem little to bother about but create a distinctive effect when it goes missing. Developers must focus on amplifying the “turning the page” experience and add animation to guide the user of the task completed.

There are multiple approaches that developers can opt for to make these design frames appealing. You can collaborate micro animations with a 3-design model to develop a unique swiping and scrolling experience.

17. Geometric art

The use of geometric art is back in 2021. Many developers have integrated this design frame to give more depth to each element. These provide an illusional effect to users without incorporating heavy 3-D designs. This year we are expecting to see many more applications using the complex abstract art on their interface.

Many developers are also integrating unrealistic angles to make the interface unique and appealing. These designs are breaking the usual curves and shape formats to stand out.

18. Layering and shadows design

Shadows and layers add an extra depth to your interface, making the text pop out. These make the design look sleek and realistic to the eye. In addition to integrating shadows, users can also layer elements to make the interface more appealing. These designs look more powerful with a dark color palette which complements the elements well.

19. Realistic designs

The latest UI app design trends focus on making the interface more realistic, allowing users to imagine themselves inside the app. Adding advanced 3-d animations with virtual reality changes the overall look of the interface. Developers can take inspiration from various famous mobile apps that offer a realistic design frame, making the navigational process more fun.

20. Bottom navigation design

Bottom navigation might seem like mere icons placed to help users switch pages. However, integrating a suitable design farm would amplify the user experience and make your interface appealing. In 2021, we can see minimal graphics giving a realistic appearance to the navigational bars. Developers can integrate various design ideas to change the look of these icons.

Wrapping up

These UI design examples are ready to conquer 2021. Developers can inspire and collaborate on one or more designs and create an interface that makes the user stay. You can integrate such design elements after analyzing your mobile app’s size, structure, and color palate. These designs will amplify user experience and make your mobile app stand out against competitors.