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Design Trends 2026
This episode is in Finnish. The video below is the original recording; this page provides an English summary for easier reading.
Summary
Mikki and Annika on 2026 design trends: which ones change how teams work, which are conference-stage hype, and how to tell the difference.
About The Good Side in this episode
Annika Tuominen on how The Good Side evaluates new tools and methods: not adopting everything instantly, not rejecting the new either. Trends are judged through client value: does this produce better outcomes for real users?
Key discussion points
- 2026 design trends split into two camps: practice-changing and conference-stage noise
- AI does not replace designers, but designers who use AI well will outpace those who do not
- Faster design means iteration should not be saved only for the end of a project
- Trend test: does this improve the user experience or only the portfolio screenshot?
- Annika admits: some trends look good mainly because everyone else is doing them
- The line between design and development is blurring: that is opportunity, not threat
- Practical trend test: if the client does not notice it, it has no value
Questions & answers
- Which design trends in 2026 actually matter?
- Practice-changing trends like AI-assisted prototyping, component-driven design, and data-informed UX are worth investing in. Visual fashion comes and goes; workflow shifts tend to stay.
- How do designers stay on trend without drowning in hype?
- Simple test: try the trend on a real client project. If it improves the outcome, it is valuable. If it only looks good in a Figma file, it is not. Adopt trends through user benefit, not fashion.
- Does AI significantly change a designer’s job in 2026?
- Yes, but not the way people fear. AI speeds repetitive work: generating options, scaling components, drafting copy. The core job, understanding users and finding the right problem, stays human.
Topics: design trends 2026, UX 2026, AI in design, user experience, design tools, Annika Tuominen, The Good Side, Behind the Pixels, UX design Finland, future of design