What Shaped China’s 2021 UI/UX Design Trends? A Deep Dive

Introduction

By collecting and analyzing a large number of domestic design cases, the author summarizes the 2021 UI/UX design trends in China to help fellow designers.

The research began with a search for outstanding domestic design examples, focusing on products with large user bases, and examined how design trends originated and impacted user experience.

Background

2021 design trends continue the aggressive visual exploration sparked by lifestyle changes during the 2020 pandemic, while also introducing more grounded, practical outcomes.

The analysis considers major corporate styles, popular app designs, and the balance between exploratory and implementable design.

User Demographics

User groups are the foundation for product demand and design decisions. The 7th national census shows an aging population and a rising “silver economy,” with older users valuing discounts, convenience, and variety. Meanwhile, cross‑platform collaboration energizes Gen‑Z users, whose short‑video usage approached 800 million in Q2 2021, followed by e‑commerce and community platforms.

Three Main Directions

01. Depth and 3D Elements Designers increasingly explore Z‑axis depth, adding 3D components such as glass‑like materials and enhanced card shadows to create layered interfaces.

02. Softer, Healing Color Palettes The overall color trend moves toward gentle, soothing hues, reducing high‑contrast clashing colors and favoring progressive, light‑filled palettes that evoke a calming atmosphere.

03. Playful Micro‑Interactions More entertaining motion designs are emerging, driven by the card‑based design wave and the need for new micro‑interaction experiences.

Detailed Trends

1. 3D

3D design is no longer novel; since last year, many C4D works have popularized a three‑dimensional wave in the design community. It offers intuitive, rich visual expression that stands out from flat interfaces, though it is still mainly used on splash screens, placeholders, or promotional pages.

2. Glass‑Like Materials

Glass and acrylic‑style designs, popular since 2019, continue to evolve in 2021. These materials break the limits of flat UI by providing eye‑catching visual effects and decorative functions, often appearing in navigation bars or icons. Their blur effect also helps protect privacy or indicate hierarchy.

3. Card‑Based Design

Card layouts dominate many app redesigns in the first half of 2021, offering familiar, tangible experiences that bridge users and interfaces. Varied corner radii and shadow details add visual interest, and the approach has been applied to products like the McDonald’s mini‑program, improving ordering experiences.

4. Colored Shadows

Colored shadows enrich visual depth and can convey brand colors, becoming a popular detail as card design spreads.

5. Light Gradients

UI color schemes trend toward lighter, softer gradients, creating a gentle, dreamy atmosphere that aligns with the “healing” aesthetic favored in 2021.

6. Micro‑Interactions

Micro‑interactions are placed at the final design stage to attract attention, but their success is measured by usability improvements, narrative emphasis, and clarity of interface relationships.

Conclusion

The author joined the Meiyou UX Design Center in 2021, expressing gratitude for the team’s support and hoping future designs will continue moving toward more beautiful directions, just like the trends described.