If in the first part of this series I explored how technology and AI are shaping smarter and more adaptive interfaces, in this second installment, I want to focus on what, for me as a designer, defines the true future of user experience: people.
In 2026, the goal is no longer just creating products that work. I aim to design experiences that create emotional connection, that include everyone, and that are ethical at every decision point. While AI accelerates processes and opens new possibilities, our responsibility as designers grows: we must understand, feel, and anticipate what the user experiences—beyond the screen itself.
1. Emotional design, not just functional
Interfaces are no longer neutral structures. Today they communicate, accompany, and in many cases help motivate or calm the people who use them. Small details like an animation, a tone of voice, or a microinteraction can make the difference between a cold experience and a memorable one.
Key elements of emotional design in 2026
- Microinteractions that celebrate, guide, or support the user.
- Smooth animations that convey calm or energy (purposeful, not decorative).
- A human, clear, and empathetic tone in every message.
- Visual narratives that tell stories and connect with emotional states.
Real examples
- Headspace: their animations are designed to reduce anxiety through organic shapes and slow rhythms.
- Duolingo: emotional gamification to maintain motivation (positive reinforcement, characters, humor).
2. Inclusive and accessible design as the baseline
Accessibility is no longer an “extra.” By 2026, designing for everyone isn’t optional: beyond being an ethical responsibility, it’s a competitive advantage.
Key practices for inclusion and accessibility
- Proper contrast, legible typography, and clear hierarchy.
- Navigation that doesn’t rely solely on sight or touch.
- Cultural and linguistic inclusion as part of the process—not something added at the end.
- Universal design that works across multiple abilities, devices, and environments.
Real examples (2024–2025)
- Apple iOS – Personal Voice and Live Speech: allow people with speech impairments to create a personalized voice or communicate using preset phrases.
- Google Lookout: describes objects, text, and scenes for users with low vision using real-time AI.
- Microsoft Inclusive Design Toolkit: a globally adopted model for designing with permanent, temporary, and situational limitations in mind.
- YouTube Auto-Captions: AI-enhanced automatic subtitles improving accessibility across multiple languages.
To support these practices, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) remain the strongest framework.
Companies that integrate accessibility from the conceptual stage don’t just create better products—they create products that get used more, and are more robust and trustworthy.
3. Ethics in design: the new frontier
As our relationship with AI becomes part of everyday life, ethical design is no longer an abstract debate. Adaptive systems make decisions invisible to the user: what to recommend, what to hide, what to prioritize. That’s why the designer’s role expands into strategy—and ethics.
Key ethical considerations
- Being transparent about when AI is involved.
- Avoiding dark patterns or emotional manipulation.
- Designing for user well-being, not just conversion.
- Evaluating inherent biases in datasets or models.
A good starting point to explore ethics applied to digital design is this resource from Nielsen Group.
Real examples (2024–2025)
- Meta: began automatically labeling AI-generated images (Llama, Imagine) to prevent misinformation and increase transparency.
- Adobe Firefly: positioned itself as an ethical model by training only on licensed and authorized content.
- Airbnb: removed dark patterns and improved transparency by showing final prices, fees, and rules before booking.
- ChatGPT: incorporated transparency features and activity logs for corporate environments.
Conclusion: unlearning and relearning
The future of UX/UI design doesn’t depend solely on new technologies—it depends on our ability as designers to learn continuously, adapt, listen, and question the assumptions we work with today.
AI creates smarter interfaces, and new modalities create more natural experiences. But only we can give all of this a human purpose.
2026 requires designers who can:
- integrate emotion into their decisions,
- embrace the real diversity of users,
- and act ethically—even when business pressure pushes the other way.
Every new trend is not a destination but an invitation to grow: to explore, make mistakes, iterate, and evolve. Designing for the future means being willing to learn the new, unlearn the old, and reinvent ourselves continuously.
