Google Gears Up for Material Design ‘Expressive’ at I/O 2025
Google is set to unveil a new iteration of its Material Design language, internally known as ‘Material Design 3 Expressive,’ at the upcoming I/O 2025 conference. This update promises to bring a range of enhancements focused on empowering developers to create more engaging and personalized app interfaces.
Hints in the Code
Evidence of the new design direction has surfaced in code commits within the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit. Initially labeled ‘DO NOT SUBMIT I/O 2025 Expressive talk code demos,’ these commits, while later revised, still contain references to ‘io_talk,’ hinting at a planned reveal at the developer conference. Further confirmation comes from the Material Components Android library on GitHub, where ‘Material Design 3 Expressive’ is explicitly mentioned.
What to Expect
While Google remains tight-lipped about the specifics, a spokesperson stated that they are ‘experimenting with bringing developers ways to make their apps more engaging by introducing more expressive features.’ The ‘Expressive’ moniker, coupled with the continued use of the ‘3’ version number, suggests that this update will likely be a collection of smaller, incremental changes rather than a complete overhaul.
Potential Previews
Some elements of the ‘Expressive’ design may already be visible in existing Android apps. Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority points to the Android Settings app, which features toggles with X or checkmark indicators and a card-based layout for grouping items. The updated AI meme generator in Gboard, with its unique progress bar, may also offer a glimpse into the design direction Google is pursuing.
Implications for Developers and Users
The ‘Material Design 3 Expressive’ update signals Google’s continued commitment to evolving the Android UI. By providing developers with more tools for customization and expression, Google aims to foster a richer and more diverse app ecosystem. Users can anticipate seeing more visually appealing and personalized app experiences in the future.
