In our constantly evolving world of web design, it’s befitting we stay on top of the latest trends to remain competitive. Not surprisingly, time spent on the World Wide Web is continuing to rise. Mobile first websites (that is, sites designed to first and foremost look great on mobile devices) is a definite must.
As attention span is increasingly becoming shorter and shorter, we must compensate for this by developing websites that load quickly and successfully capture their gaze.
More Movement
You’ve likely noticed the trend toward more dynamic sites. A simple hover of the mouse can create interesting effects such as slide-in text, fade-in photos, shifting graphics, or a pop-up on your screen. Engaging video backgrounds are now very commonly seen on the site header. All these things are intended to be attention grabbers, and it’s highly effective (provided that it’s also fast-loading.) It is satisfying for viewers to interact with your site and inspired with their mouse clicks. Just be sure not to overdo it.
Creative Use of Geometric Shapes
Colorful graphics and shapes are becoming increasingly popular. It’s a great way to add interest without slowing the site down as the images tend to be low resolution and therefore fast loading. It’s common to find these geometric shapes on the website header to direct the user’s gaze to pertinent information including your CTA button. The design should be strategic and correlate with your site theme. Keep it fresh, original, pair it with photos when appropriate
and don’t forget the “less is more” principle.
Below is an example of a site that effectively uses hexagon shapes to form an exciting and colorful picture collage.
Original + Quality Images = Attention Grabbers
At one time cheesy stock images were all the rage. OK, at least acceptable. Fast forward to 2018, and it’s a very different picture, literally. If you want to appear credible and gain the attention your site deserves, be thoughtful in your image selection. Choose only high-quality images that seem authentic for your website; if you have original photos — even better. However, there is indeed no shortage of high-quality stock images available from several different sources.
We love Pexels.com for a decent royalty-free selection that is cost-free. Adobe Stock is another excellent option with a broader variety for pay by image or month plans.
Asymmetrical Design
As original, cutting-edge web design is gaining recognition, and there is a growing trend toward asymmetrical design. The asymmetrical design is just as it sounds; a design layout that is not symmetrical and not following a grid layout. For instance, you could have a text block balancing out an image. It must be used strategically so that it still appears balanced and pleasing to the eye.
Chatbots
Chatbots are becoming more and more common in our ever-increasing technological generation. Many prefer digital communication to potentially waiting several minutes on hold to reach customer support. It’s convenient for users to type in their questions and receive instant feedback for their query. It benefits business owners as it allows them to assist customers without being physically there. Besides, you can gather information about your potential customer to serve their needs better.
Bright Colors & Gradients
In the last few years, we’ve seen more and more vibrant color schemes stylized on websites. Instagram popularized this concept by being one of the first companies to brand their logo with the flamboyant purple, pink and yellow gradient. It’s an effective way to gain interest when applied to headers, images, page backgrounds, and even text. It can be incorporated boldly to add intensity or subtly as in the below website examples.
Alluring Typography
As web browsers are better supporting custom fonts, we are noticing an increase in gorgeous typography that can sometimes gain more attention than the images! Bold, eclectic and occasionally custom fonts are a nice touch and should tie in with your company design style. Experiment with different font pairings that look good together.
Sites like TypeKit, FontSquirrel, and Fonts.com make it easy to check out different fonts and obtain the web font information.
Conclusion
In our constantly evolving world of web design trends, there is one thing that will remain the same: UX Design or User Experience. Ensure that your site functions well and navigation is made easy. Make sure your website provides ample information and is a satisfying and visually pleasing experience. Just as you would expect on a world-class cruise ship, go the extra mile and exceed your client’s expectations.
