We have heard this statement time and time again, and as important as it is in the real world it is no less in the digital world. Most of the impressions we build as humans are based on what we see. Web Designs hold subtle hints, just like non-verbal cues, that heavily influence a visitor’s experience.
Staying relevant is a necessity, which is why it is of utmost importance that your marketing strategy include modern web design. At this point, technical possibilities have gained quite the momentum and doesn’t look like it will regress anytime soon. Designers are experimenting and pushing techniques and at times hold on to a few popular styles such as the ubiquitous minimalism and flat illustrations. What you need to know is – what’s new in this year?
Hottest Trends in web design
- Dark Mode
- White Space Framing
- Minimal Navigation
- Neon and Iridescence
- Vintage Color Palette
- Interactive Cursors
- Typography Styling
- Grid Design
- Focus on the CTA
- Artistic Illustrations
Dark Mode
When you have to look at a screen for the most part, you would definitely look forward to darker tones to rest your eyes a little bit. Which is probably the reason that a Dark Mode has been incorporated in many everyday apps and devices. Likewise, Dark Mode web designs are on the rise. It effectively places focus on the elements you intend to stand out while maintaining a contemporary essence.
The dark mode design is actually based more on utility, but it looks good doing its job. Many other ongoing interface trends compliment the use of darker themes, such as the use of neon color and simpler typography.
White Space Framing
For a while designers played around with image filled backgrounds, but they are finding their way back to the minimalistic white space. The grace of white space reflects in the ease of a visitor’s flow from one element to another. It refrains from overwhelming the viewer by removing unnecessary clutter of design and bringing the focus back to what matters – your content.
The classic minimalistic white space, though highly popular still, has received a bit of an upgrade this time. Instead of flat backgrounds to images, the white space is now used to provide solid borders, with asymmetrical borders becoming more and more popular. However, this hasn’t ruled out the classic style of white space minimalism. Both techniques are still used due to the ease in understanding and clean modern feel.
Minimal Navigation
The time spent browsing websites on wearable and mobile devices is rapidly increasing and so it is an obvious requirement that website navigation be simpler. And that is exactly what has happened. Navigation has undergone many changes to accommodate this change, making it compatible for smaller devices. Since usability is less difficult a user can easily spend more time perusing the website as opposed to facing the challenges of limited movement.
This change has caused a direct change in the importance of imagery. Which is why we now see many designers using large-scale visual aids, such as images and videos, to catch the viewer’s attention.
Neon and Iridescence
Web design has gone down a more bold and daring road. We see that color palettes now hold adventurous neon and highly saturated hues that pair well with darker shades and futuristic themes. Depending on your theme, the aim of this trend is to give an iridescent or glow-in-the dark effect.
However, this isn’t the only trend to follow. Color gradients have also made a striking comeback. They are no longer subtle monotones
Vintage Color Palette
Some prefer the futurism of neon designs coupled with 3D floating effects, but others are exploring the pastels of the ‘70s. Modern design doesn’t have to be about the glow, you could take on simple minimalism with muted vintage tones. This trend possess the best array of colors to capture quintessential elegance.
Interactive Cursors
Another trend showcasing progressive possibilities in web design, would most definitely have to be cursor design. Elementary options such as playful cursor shapes is one way to go, or choose to code intricately coded animations that respond to cursor movement. Whichever option strikes you the most, the point is to grab your visitor’s attention and this fun little customer engagement trick does exactly that.
Typography Styling
Typography is speaking volumes this year with ceaseless potential. Keeping it short and simple is the key. But when you have less to say, you find ways to place a little extra oomph to your words.
Bigger and bolder fonts are everything to command your viewer’s attention. Designers want us to remember that options are not limited at all. We are seeing a variety of eye-catching typography including simple font outlines and filled in solid bold fonts. Also, we see a lot of experimenting with oversized headline placement, such as positioning them beyond conventional browser perimeters or less complicated vertical alignments. Asymmetrical layouts with a tasteful fusion of imagery and large fonts are also becoming wildly popular. They do not require the complexities of flashy scrolls and animations to promote its modern feel.
Grid Design
Design grids – the horizontal and vertical guidelines that remove the chaos while working to create a design. But the trend isn’t that designers are using them rather it is the act of displaying the grids post-design completion. Soft or defined gridlines that is completely your choice. The visible lines helps form a professional and structured design.
Focus on the CTA
If you are a running online business you know that the need to convert visitors is a real concern. For this reason, usually, websites will place Call-To-Actions (CTAs) front and center so as to attract the attention of their customers. CTA color schemes will be the same, dull blues and greys for information while the actual CTA buttons are warmer tones of red. The top of your page is now the perfect spot to overcome short attention spans. Designers are placing key CTA buttons above the fold basically within the oversized headers. It is proving to be a great way to favor conversions.
Artistic Illustrations
2020 is the year of personalized elements. From hand drawn graphics to customized illustrations, these are an ideal and creative way to illuminate your website. Designers are looking to personalize graphics for each website to precisely fit the company’s brand and image.
Hand-drawn elements contain an imperfect type of perfection promoting the thought that there is – and always will be – a human behind very digital face of a store. Incorporating this warm and friendly concept endorses emotions which is usually difficult to convey through the futuristic designs that have somehow taken over a vast majority of websites.
In Conclusion
Web Design has come a long way, and is constantly finding itself evolving as consumers and merchants find ways to remain in sync. Knowing your demographic and what appeals to them is the only way to connect. At the end of the day, whether chic nostalgic minimalism or future-forward complex designs, websites created to keep audiences visually engaged will succeed. There is no better way to engage customers than these top ten trends.
