Dark Mode, Neumorphism, and Glassmorphism: Which Trend is Here to Stay?

Design is less about decoration and more about human cognition.

This year, Apple unveiled what it calls “Liquid Glass” — a fresh iteration of glassmorphism, now rendered with more fluid depth, translucency, and light behaviour than its predecessors. When Apple embraces a visual paradigm, it signals not only an aesthetic choice but also a cultural moment. These design shifts ripple outward, shaping expectations across the digital landscape. The question is not simply “what looks new” but rather “why it resonates” with users, and whether it will endure.

“Liquid Glass” — a fresh iteration of glassmorphism

Design, after all, is less about decoration and more about human cognition. Dark Mode became popular because it alleviated eye strain in certain environments and fit naturally into the ways people now use devices at all hours of the day. It also carried cultural weight: a mark of modernity, even rebellion, against the blinding whites of the early web. Its staying power lies not just in aesthetics but in the way it addresses a genuine need.

Dark Mode became popular because it alleviated eye strain in certain environments

Neumorphism, by contrast, was born in concept mockups around 2019 — a soft, tactile vision that attempted to revive skeuomorphism’s sense of physicality while maintaining flat design’s restraint. It was beautiful in theory, but in practice, it often faltered. Low contrast harmed accessibility, and interactions became ambiguous. Neumorphism revealed something crucial: that visual delight cannot come at the cost of clarity. It was a reminder that technology may seduce with polish, but the user’s hand must still find the right button to press.

Illustration by Eli Zapa.

Glassmorphism has a longer lineage. Apple first introduced its frosted glass effect with iOS 7 in 2013, a design shift that sought to convey depth after the heavy skeuomorphism of earlier years. It was as much a cultural break as a technical one — an attempt to create a lighter, more spacious environment for users overwhelmed by the clutter of digital realism.

Now, with “Liquid Glass” in 2025, the company has refined the idea, turning it into something more immersive and fluid. Unlike its earlier form, which often felt like a static pane of frosted glass, “Liquid Glass” adapts dynamically to light and movement, behaving less like a sheet and more like a living material.

What we see across these trends is a dialogue between human psychology and cultural context. People crave novelty, but they also crave stability. Dark Mode lasted because it solved a real problem. Neumorphism faltered because it placed form above function. Glassmorphism continues to evolve because it occupies a middle ground — familiar enough to navigate, yet novel enough to feel fresh when technologies allow it to become more convincing. The lesson, as always, is simple:

Aesthetics may catch the eye, but it is usability, cultural resonance, and technological fit that determine whether a trend survives.

Designers would do well to remember that trends are surface currents. What truly matters is whether the underlying design helps people act with less friction, less confusion, and more delight.