Within just 20 years or so, the World Wide Web has evolved immensely. But, do you know why it was actually discovered? While you share a meme right now with your friends on social media, back then, the web was designed to ease information sharing for research and education institutions. Huh! who would’ve thought that this tool would become the backbone for the economy of the modern era. After food, clothes, and shelter, we all know that the internet has become a necessity for humankind.
But, wait, that’s not it for the internet! Deep down, we all knew something was about to change. Like Darwin said, “evolution happens by natural selection.'' The evolution of the internet, essential for modern lives, was indispensable. And so, welcome it with the drum rolls; Web 3 is here! Yes, there has been a monumental paradigm shift in the use and design of apps and websites. The tech-savvy experts hail this new era as Web 3.0. With all the evoked excitement, let us now dive straight into understanding what Web 3.0 is and why you have to care for it as a designer.
From Web 2.0 to Web 3.0
Remember when you first created a Facebook ID in the early 2000s? That was when tech giants provided platforms for users like us to consume and create content. These multinational tech companies acted as the third party between consumers and the content.
Breaking this barrier of interruption of a middleman, Web 3.0 is the era of independence. The era of complete ownership of content. It all started when John Markoff coined this term back in 2006. Web 3.0 is a space dominated by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to deliver users decentralized systems. So that they can experience AR/VR/MR, 3D effects, and more in a personalized and transparent manner, Web 3.0 will vanish the need for third-party intervention. Thus, in the age of Web 3, we can not only consume and create content but also own it. Also, its aim to remove data monopoly and protect data through decentralization using Blockchain and other similar technologies is just a cherry on the top!
What exactly is Web 3?
If you were intimated by the term before, let us tell you, it’s no rocket science! Web 3 is not a new technology, but it encompasses the evolution of new technologies. As the internet expands, the data it holds is also expanding with the speed of light! Web 3 is here to manage and protect this vast data.
This is why industry experts have been mulling over cryptocurrencies and blockchain to create a decentralized web. It will end the need for you to seek hosting services from the already powerful tech companies like Google and Facebook and give rise to a peer-to-peer network. Overall, the web will become a more safe, playful, accessible, and personalized space for everyone.
Web 3.0 will fetch highly accurate and personalized data with AI-driven ubiquitous design. Moreover, the web search will closely resonate with each user, targeting even their search intent. Thus, optimized through AI and advanced algorithms, Web 3 evolves the semantic web, harnessing the power of connectivity and immersive experiences.
Yes, Web 3 Has An Impact on Designing
As Web 3.0 firmly digs its roots into the digital world, creativity has been highly impacted. Gone are the days for shapes and blobs to highlight content and create a beautiful interface. Instead, web 3.0 emphasizes the use of illustrations and visual elements to display content, services, or products meant for special purposes. Animation and gamification are other new entries that UI/UX designers need to acknowledge and apply for advanced user experience. In addition, typography has also been incorporated to contribute a significant change as designers try to grab the attention of users in Web 3.0.
Web 3 Contemporary Pros and Cons For Designers
Design elements and shapes that highlight content and essential features in the design are a core part of design aesthetics. They bind the design together and ensure the flow and consistency of the user experience. However, like other creators, UI/UX designers have to adapt to the trends of Web 3.0. These cutting-edge changes will offer them a level playing field with other given below advantages.
Grab User Attention
Illustrations, animations, icons, and more will profusely grab user attention, ultimately compelling them to explore the app or website further.
Simplify designs
Instead of texts and headlines, designers can now rely on fun illustrations to simplify their designs for users.
Easy identification and optimization for design and business
Brands and businesses can create distinct and unique identities through advanced UX/UI. Web 3 offers designers to align design and content in order to develop a pleasant design and positive brand image through new graphics and visuals.
Designers have to take a leap of faith while designing in Web 3.0. That’s so because, with all its benefits, there still lie some challenges in this growing space of creativity. The most prominent of them are as follows:
It’s immensely vast and vague
The organization of the vast user data is still unclear on Web 3. So, targeting user problems could be a bit fuzzy for designers till this issue of vastness and vagueness is dealt with.
Inconsistency of data
Uncertain values and inconsistent data may result in designers’ hard work to collect data going in vain. Confusion and irrelevant analysis remain a big challenge to work in Web 3 for UX/UI designers.
May discard traditional design practices
Some established design practices are vital for optimum design standards. Because of no regulation in this new free space, fear of losing these ethical practices looms for designing in Web 3.
Brace yourselves; Web 3 is here!
Hopefully, users will embrace a newfound responsibility as they adapt themselves to the control and ownership they experience with Web 3.0. With improved searches and highly interconnected space, these users will expect a smart, secure, and superior user experience. And, this duty of ensuring trust and a smooth experience befalls designers.
AI and blockchain are harnessing a decentralized creator community. These creators will become users in the future, for which designers have to design advanced digital products. Thus, to ensure safe, efficient, and intuitive designs that correspond with this unprecedented control by the users, designers should stay fluent with these future technologies.
Thus, brace yourselves to become part of this web 3.0. It’s no time to lag behind; gear up to align with the fast evolution of the web revolution!