THE FUTURE IS.

2015 was nothing but buzzwords in design. Can you guess some of them? I am sure you read articles in Mashables, Medium, or FastCo. I will give you a hint…think...

experience, end-user, simple, innovation, ux, ui, the why?

Since it is a new year I want to share my prophesy for the design world for 2016.

Forecasting the recent trends of technology I see the biggest move within the next half decade in designing beyond the screens, plugs, and hardware. Technologies like wearables and advances in artificial intelligence signify new ways to interact user-driven stories. This will increase and be recognized as the optimal way to engage in the latest software devices. Think I-Watch and Oculus Rift on steroids.

The use of storytelling in design is also increasing in value. I only see the method getting more popular in the field of design, marketing, and business operations. Why storytelling you ask? Because it brings the consumer's life into the forefront, making it a more relatable service or product. Producing brand loyalty, customer satisfaction, and a service or product that will better a consumer's life. 

“In the past, R&D shops developed new concepts, conducted extensive testing, and sold cutting-edge ideas to developers. After the 1990s, this channel from insight to action faded in favor of pitching ideas to funders to obtain capital or to executives to secure approval for development projects. That trend will continue, but a shift toward storytelling as the primary way to capture investor and executive attention will grow” (Invision Blog). Examples of storytelling include the use of personas, user journeys, etc. We will only see this become a necessary tool in the designing process.

Lastly, critical design thinking will be the change that this world desperately needs. The future will be revolving around design centered intelligence that will focus on social impact, environmental innovations, and overall, helping create a better tomorrow. Education will get better. It will concentrate purely on discovery, strategy, and integration of design bridging the gap of international relations. I foresee the use of icons becoming more and more universal and may eventually change language back into hieroglyphs. 

However you may look at design, just know it is becoming a more prompt aspect of all our lives and if you stop to take a look, you will notice that design is all around. So go out and find design inspiration in everything you do. Let your creative genius flow and be influenced by the food you eat, the sounds you hear, the music you listen to, and the books you read. 

Till next time,

aa