A Revamped Version Of Material Design To Be Unveiled At I/O 2025
In anticipation of the annual I/O conference in 2025, Google appears to be setting the stage for a major update to its Material Design framework. This new evolution, tentatively known as “Expressive,” promises to bring a fresh layer of dynamism to Google’s design language. The foundations of this upcoming update have been detected in the code repositories maintained by the tech giant, with indications that preliminary elements are already visible in beta versions of Android 16 and Gboard.
The revelation comes courtesy of Mishaal Rahman, a developer and journalist with Android Authority. Rahman uncovered a reference to a new theme named “Material3Expressive” while diving into Google’s GitHub repositories that are associated with Material Design for Android. In response to queries, a Google engineer confirmed that their Material team is indeed working on ways to enhance user engagement by incorporating more expressive features into apps.
Further substantives supporting these findings emerged in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). A patch titled “DO NOT SUBMIT I/O 2025 Expressive talk code demos” made waves, hinting at a potential showcase during the I/O 2025 event. Though the direct reference to “Expressive” was subsequently edited out, the enduring mention of I/O 2025 within the patch suggests an official announcement might be imminent at the conference.
Despite the intriguing evidence collected, Google has so far withheld official confirmation and declined to comment on these discoveries. Nevertheless, internal documents refer to the update under the moniker “Material Design 3 Expressive.” Although the specific features and the definitive name of this redesign are yet to be officially confirmed, the exploratory journey of Android Authority has lent insight into forthcoming transformations.
Preliminary impressions of the Android 16 Beta 3 offer glimpses of a reimagined system settings app, now featuring more rounded elements and a suite of updated buttons. Meanwhile, Gboard is experimenting with a new progress bar format within its meme generator tool, signaling potential UI refinements.
The tech community has set its sights on May 20, which marks the opening keynote of Google I/O 2025. The expectation is that Google will use this platform to formally introduce the revamped Material Design, hopefully, shedding light on what ‘Expressive’ truly entails.
The anticipated advancements within Material Design’s third iteration may lead to a significant shift in how users interact with Android applications, potentially setting new standards for app design across the industry. As the unveiling date approaches, designers, developers, and enthusiasts alike eagerly await Google’s next stride in crafting user experiences.
