Interaction Design Trends 2015 & 2016

Meaningful Delight 23
Slack’s true success, however, is that it’s more than just a workflow
tool. It’s a social tool that improves workflow at its core by
encouraging more interaction between people.
With Slack’s success being attributed to an attention to detail and
an importance placed on user-focused design, other companies
are looking to replicate their success in the same way. Now every
new app or web service is required to demonstrate a certain level
of interface polish, slick interaction design, and overall humane
consideration for the user’s emotional and functional needs.
As UX designer Ben Rowe explains, there’s two layers to delightful
design: the surface layer and the deeper layer of flow. In this
case, the fun visual design comprise the surface layer, while the
“passively magical” interaction design forms the much more important
layer of experiential flow.
2. Medium
Delightful design is not simply fun colors and cartoons. As Rowe
was saying, the experience builds a stronger connections, so delightful
design relies on empowerment through usability – which
requires far more than just a cutesy mascot.
One of the most popular blogging platforms, Medium uses a trademark
minimalist style, a heavy dose of white, and no cartoons or
wild colors whatsoever. The reason it’s on our list of delightful
sites is the simple yet powerful experience.