Muscat: If you’ve noticed rectangles replacing your beloved squares, you’re not alone. Curated feeds that once resembled flawless collages are suddenly jumbled, with pieces of the puzzle no longer fitting as they once did. Love it or hate it, the platform is pivoting toward a more dynamic, Reels-friendly design that also mirrors TikTok’s vertical focus.

According to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, this shift isn’t just about competing with TikTok, though that certainly factors in; it’s about catering to how people currently use the app—scrolling vertically and consuming video content at a rapid pace. If you’re in mourning over your carefully designed layout, think of it as the price of progress. As technology evolves, so must the interfaces we interact with, even if it means bidding farewell to a pristine photo grid.

This small tweak on Instagram’s profile layout highlights a broader reality, and you may want to know why UX and UI matter when you use an app. 

User Interface (UI) design has a massive influence on our digital lives. Whether it’s a sleek app that guides users seamlessly or a website that confuses them, the nuances of UI can determine how we experience content. A robust UI isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s about functionality, accessibility, and enjoyment. It turns complex processes into intuitive steps, ensuring users can achieve their goals with minimal friction.

That’s where User Experience (UX) comes into the picture. UX and UI are two sides of the same coin—UI is the visible layer, while UX underpins the overall feel of interacting with a product. A visually appealing interface might catch your eye, but if the navigation is clunky, you’ll lose interest fast. Similarly, a purely functional design without any charm might not keep you coming back. The sweet spot is a balance of intuitive layout, efficient navigation, and aesthetic appeal.

For businesses operating in the digital realm, these design principles can make or break user engagement. A well-structured interface entices people to stay, browse, and explore. Conversely, a clumsy interface can send them running—sometimes straight to a competitor’s product. Emphasizing clean, consistent visuals and thoughtful interactions helps to build familiarity and trust, much like recognizing a brand’s logo in a sea of advertisements.

But UI is about more than just hooking users. Inclusive design ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy the experience. Accessibility features—such as clear color contrasts, scalable fonts, and intuitive touchpoints—expand your reach and demonstrate a commitment to diversity.

Looking ahead, expect security elements to become more visible in UI design. With increasing data breaches, icons like locks and verification badges won’t just be decorative extras; they’ll serve as daily reminders that your privacy matters. These elements also reinforce trust, keeping users engaged and loyal.

So, if Instagram’s new rectangular look has left you scrambling to realign your feed, take heart. This is the digital world’s natural evolution at work. From squares to rectangles, from purely aesthetic to highly functional and secure, UI design is constantly morphing to meet new user behaviours and expectations. Embrace the change—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll discover a fresh way to express your creativity along the way.