Apparently, a new iteration of the web has arrived: Web 3.0! With all of the marketing terms being thrown around, it can difficult to understand what this term even means. That’s probably because no one has really defined it yet. Fortunately for us, the core fundamentals haven’t changed. Web 3.0 UX Design will still depend upon the same pillars that supported versions 1.0 and 2.0. Keep reading to see the tips that aren’t going out of style anytime soon.
My top 5 Web 3.0 UX Design tips
In the world of UX Design, we heavily depend upon the shared experience we all have when interacting with an application. The term we use is “recognition”. Arguably, this is the most powerful element in UX Design, since it requires no actual design. We just do things the way they’ve always been done. For example, where should you place the cart icon for an ecommerce UX design? Obviously, it goes in the upper, right-hand corner. That’s where it always is (with a few exceptions), and that’s where it will remain (probably).
The point here is that to prepare for the next iteration of the Web, it’s best to stick with what is already in place. Which leads me to my first tip:
There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel
Yes, we have some new terms to address like Web 3.0 or Metaverse, but that doesn’t mean people are interacting with their screens in a different way – at least not yet. In fact, as some over-eager designers begin to deploy new approaches to common tasks, many users will find comfort in the “standard” way of doing things.
Often times during any change in paradigms, the familiar takes on a greater level of importance. In the case of UX Design, the best thing we can do is maintain the status quo. Our job isn’t to make people think about new ways to do things. In fact, it’s our job to make it so people don’t have to think at all.
Our job is to stick with Ole Reliable, especially when some many other things are rapidly changing around us. At times like these, I lean on the adage: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Maintain simplicity
Every day I seem to come across some pretty cool designs and interesting ways of doing things. Most of the time, I feel bad for the users that will have to interact with these designs though. Usually, the stuff that looks the coolest is the most complex. Complexity and good UX Design should be like oil and water!
Maintaining simplicity is obviously in the best interest of users, but it also impacts the designers, coders, and developers that are tasked with building these systems. It’s amazing what can be done with CSS alone these days. Lotties are changing the way we think about graphics. Tools like Figma supercharge design. All of this allows designers to come up with some pretty amazing ways of doing things. But all of those things create headaches for developers. Those designs take longer to build and more effort to maintain.
A lot is unknown about what Web 3.0 will ultimately look like, but one thing is certain: it will be more complex than it is today. So as UX Designers, we can do everyone a favor and maintain simplicity as much as possible!
Responsive design
You might be noticing a theme here – all of these tips have been applicable to UX Design for years. That’s the point. UX Design is about fundamentals, and fundamentals don’t change, especially this one: people use lots of different devices, which all have different screen sizes and aspect ratios. So everything should be designed with that in mind.
One thing I will point out on this topic is that screens are evolving to a degree. Smartwatches are becoming more and more popular. Almost all new cars come with screens that can run CarPlay and Android Auto. Folding screens are even starting to hit the mainstream market.
While I don’t believe responsive design is becoming more important than before, it clearly is becoming more complex.
Understand what your audience and user’s need
In many ways, this tip is an extension of the previous tip on simplicity. Give the user’s what they want – quickly and efficiently. The subtle implication here is to not over-build. As UX Designers have access to more and more tools and functionality, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of “too much stuff”.
Whether the UI becomes overwhelming or the UX itself is too much, we all fall into this one from time to time. The way to get back on track and stay on track with UX designs is to remember what the user’s actually want. In fact, I often write this out on a sticky note and place it on my monitor.
This has helped me dial things back on many occasions. Sure, the on-screen animations are captivating for a user to move through multiple screens. But I don’t do the users any favors be designing something to use 3 screens when it could just as easily be accomplished on one screen lol.
Use visual communication techniques
The human brain is so utterly complex, and, as any UX designer will tell you, completely illogical! Most of us don’t bother reading text, when we think we know what to do. In fact, the majority of us don’t bother reading text even when we have no idea what we are doing. Countless studies have confirmed that people just start clicking things!
This is why visual communication is so important in UX Design. As time goes by, each of us becomes more and more comfortable navigating the digital world. This trend builds a confidence in us that we “know what we are doing”. I like to refer to this as digital ignorance, and I am as guilty of it as anybody. At this point, we instinctively respond to buttons, layouts, positioning, etc.
This is because we are trained on how all of these elements communicate with us. This doesn’t change with Web 3.0 UX Design. In fact, I would argue that visual communication is also becoming more and more important. It has become it’s own virtual language.
It’s the responsibility of the UX Designer to be fluent in this language and ensure every screen, process, and flow articulates the required steps through visual communication.
What does the future hold for Web 3.0 UX Design?
As you can see, I believe it holds more of the same. In many ways, Web 3.0 UX Design will be purified and concentrated on the core fundamentals.
Frankly, that’s what I love about UX Design. The focus is on the users – people, and while technology changes daily, people still think and behave the way we always have.