Material 3: Google Reveals New Android Design Language

Google to Introduce "Material Design 3 Expressive" at Google I/O

A new iteration of Google’s Android design language is scheduled for unveiling at the forthcoming Google I/O developer conference. This information stems from a published event schedule and a Google blog post that was briefly made available online.

The session title suggests substantial modifications to Android’s design system, transitioning it from “Material 3” to “Material Design 3 Expressive.”

Focus on Emotional Connection

The prematurely released blog post detailed that Google’s revised design aims to forge interfaces that establish a stronger “emotional level” connection with users.

Updates to design systems invariably impact how application developers construct and personalize user experiences, ultimately influencing the overall perception of Android devices.

Key Characteristics of Material 3 Expressive

While specific implementation details remain limited, the blog post highlighted that the new system will be defined by a “bold use of shape and color” to generate more engaging user experiences.

This approach is intended to create interfaces that are not only visually appealing but also enhance usability.

Evolution of Material Design

Introduced in 2014, Material Design is Google’s open-source design system. It provides guidelines for crafting user interfaces for Android applications, encompassing visual, motion, and interaction design principles.

A significant update arrived in May 2021 with “Material You” (also known as Material 3). This version introduced an adaptive interface allowing users greater personalization options.

For example, changing the Android wallpaper would dynamically update the entire system’s color scheme to match.

Building on Material You

Material 3 Expressive is anticipated to be an evolution of the Material You language, rather than a complete restructuring.

Research-Driven Design

The leaked blog post emphasized the research underpinning the update. Studies indicated a preference for more expressive designs that simultaneously improve usability.

Google observed that this design style effectively draws attention to crucial elements and user actions, resulting in “significant gains in performance.”

Accessibility Benefits

Notably, the company found that expressive design also simplifies app usage for older adults, promoting inclusivity across all age groups.

Balancing Expression with Standards

Google acknowledged that expressive design isn’t universally applicable. App developers must still adhere to established design patterns and standards when customizing their interfaces.

I/O Conference Details

The blog post was initially discovered by 9to5Google and archived by the Wayback Machine. Despite its swift removal, the I/O session titled “Build next-level UX with Material 3 Expressive” confirms Google’s plans to unveil the updated system later this month.

The session description indicates that developers will learn to implement “new emotional design patterns” to enhance engagement, usability, and product desirability.

Google intends to distribute files and alpha code during the conference, enabling developers to experiment with the changes before a public release.