Bali, Indonesia, is a world-renowned tourist destination for its stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, and ancient temples. But Bali is also a place where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously. This is evident in the island’s unique aesthetic, which blends modern UI/UX design with traditional Balinese cultural influences.
What is UI/UX design?
UI/UX design, or user interface and user experience design, is the process of designing digital products and services that are both easy to use and visually appealing. UI designers focus on the look and feel of a product. In contrast, UX designers focus on the user’s experience when interacting with it.
How is UI/UX design influenced by Balinese culture?
Balinese culture is known for its emphasis on harmony, balance, and beauty. These same principles are reflected in Balinese UI/UX design.
Harmony: Balinese UI/UX designers strive to create harmonious designs that are visually appealing and easy to use. This often involves using natural elements, such as wood and stone, and traditional Balinese patterns and motifs.
Balance: Balinese UI/UX designers also strongly emphasise balance. This is achieved using symmetrical layouts and balancing different design elements, such as text, images, and colors.
Beauty: Balinese UI/UX designers take pride in creating beautiful designs. This is evident in vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and elegant typography.
Examples of Balinese UI/UX design
Here are a few examples of Balinese UI/UX design:
- The website of the Bali Tourism Board features a harmonious design that blends traditional Balinese elements with modern UI/UX principles. The website is easy to navigate and provides users with all the information they need to plan their trip to Bali.
- The mobile app for the Tanah Lot temple offers visitors a personalized experience. The app includes information about the temple’s history, culture, architecture, a map of the temple grounds, and a schedule of events.
- The user interface of the Indonesian airline Garuda Indonesia is inspired by traditional Balinese culture. The airline’s logo features a mythical Garuda bird, and its website and in-flight entertainment system feature traditional Balinese music and art.
Balancing modernity and tradition
The key to balancing modernity and tradition in Balinese UI/UX design is to find a way to incorporate traditional elements into modern designs without making them feel outdated or kitschy.
Here are a few tips:
- Use traditional elements sparingly. Refrain from overloading your designs with traditional details, making them feel cluttered and overwhelming. Instead, use key elements to create a subtle and elegant look.
- Use traditional features in a modern way. There are many ways to incorporate traditional elements into modern designs. For example, you could use traditional patterns as backgrounds or borders or classic Balinese typography to create headings and subheadings.
- Get feedback from local people. Once you have created a design, it’s a good idea to get feedback from local people to ensure that it is both culturally appropriate and visually appealing.
Conclusion
Balinese UI/UX design uniquely blends modern and traditional influences. Following the tips above, you can create visually appealing designs that respect Balinese culture.
