Have you ever visited a website and immediately thought “wow, this looks so 2012”? This, in a nutshell, is why it’s worth keeping up with web design trends. If you want your website to come across as modern and relevant, why not check out some of the current popular looks? Maybe you’ll find some inspiration below!
You’ll probably see a recurring theme in this year’s hottest web designs: they’re pretty adventurous. Maybe it’s just the natural progression of things, or maybe it’s a response to the fact that we could all use some extra cheer in our lives. Mixed in between the bright colors and eye-catching designs you’ll also find more austere material, but that’s to be expected – not everyone loves saturated colors 100% of the time. Whatever your personal preferences happen to be, you’re sure to find something you’ll love.
1. Funky, cheerful designs
It could be an e-commerce site or a place for personal portfolios, but one thing’s for sure – there are all kinds of ways to set a website apart with shapes, colors, or even faces. A more abstract design could show users that you have plenty of personality, while splashes of bright colors could communicate optimism. Even if you’re just searching for a place to buy sweaters online, you’re more likely to choose the site that makes you feel good, right? In some cases the design is more straightforward, with a friendly, smiling face right in the middle of the page.
2. Oversized pointers
Most web designs focus on the elements that belong on the page, but it’s time to pay some attention to the lowly pointer. A few websites use large pointers as a stylistic element, and it really does add to the aesthetic. It might even interact with various parts of the site, such as expanding or changing color as it goes across clickable elements. This particular web design may not add to the functionality of a website, but it sure can make the experience more engaging!
3. Monochrome color schemes
When you take color away this does limit the overall design potential, but it also opens up possibilities for some really striking visuals. The contrast makes everything stand out even more, so every element on the page really pops. And not all of these monochrome web designs stick exclusively to the theme; some of them add strategic bits of color to make everything look that much sharper. JETA Corporation’s website makeover by WebCitz has the user land on the homepage thinking it’s going to be all in black and white, but then they scroll down for some pretty impressive color photographs and graphics.
4. Scrolling text elements
People pay attention to things that move, which is why short, easy-to-read phrases are more likely to actually be read if they’re slinking across the page. You don’t want to make the message too complicated, or too long; you’ll just lose the user’s interest. A better choice is to keep things basic, even if you’re just using a common phrase to make a point. After all, this is about more than just getting people to read something; it’s also about making sure they’re having a good time on the site. And with features like scrolling text (if done right), you can make that happen.
5. Pages without images
If you take away the image elements of a page, what do you have left? The text! Make it big, use wacky fonts, and make it your own. As long as you’re left with a page that still holds the viewer’s interest, you don’t necessarily need graphics for a statement website. You could even stick with a more basic typeface for a minimalist look; as long as that’s something you’re happy with, you could pull off an awesome home page with little more than oversized lettering on a blank background.
6. Split-screen aesthetics
This web design used to be popular for its functionality; now it’s making a comeback by virtue of its strong visual effect. You can see screens split horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally, usually with a photo/illustration element on one side, with a more information-dense section on the other. While this provides strong visuals, there’s more to it than that – split screens also offer several different entry points for the site, so users can decide exactly where they want to go.
7. Three-dimensional elements
What’s more interesting than a two-dimensional design? A three-dimensional design! While using 3-D effects isn’t an automatic win where web design is concerned (after all, you still have to make it look good), it’s still a great way to add interest to your site when it’s well executed. You could have elements that look like they’re stacked on top of each other, or use drop-shadow effects to make certain parts of the picture look like they’re standing out from the page. Either way, you’ll be adding a lot to the visual interest factor.
8. Experimental typography
Want to get crazy with your fonts? Apparently you can’t go wrong if you’re doing it on purpose! You can even use serifs: just make them really, truly huge, and now you have a striking web page. One thing to keep in mind, though – everything looks different on a mobile screen. Your stylistic choices may look experimental and bold on a computer screen, but appear clumsy and ridiculous on a mobile device. Just get creative with it, and remember that the only rule is that there are no rules.
It’s 2022, and people want to see something new!
We’ve only just begun the new year, and there are already plenty of exciting new innovations in web design to explore. Who knows where they’ll go from here? Some of them, like split screens, will probably stick around by virtue of their functionality; others, like oversized pointers, may remain a novelty that’s found in just a few sites. Whatever happens, though, it sure will be fun to watch!
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