Keeping up with the latest web design trends is essential, especially in this modern age, when trends are coming and going at break-neck speed. Whether you are a web designer or a business owner, staying on top of the latest design trends will ensure that your website looks modern, up to date, and well-thought-out.
Take a look at some of the most popular web designs that took over 2020:
Minimalism
Minimalism has taken over design in many ways, not just in web design. It’s also a popular trend in architecture, interior design, graphic design, and almost every other industry that involves designs and aesthetics. Needless to say, this trend is not going away any time soon, and if your website is still hasn’t incorporated minimalism in its UI, then you are likely to be left behind by your competitors.
Minimalism can be applied to almost all aspects of web design, such as simpler PPC advertising graphics, narrower color palettes, increased white space, and sleeker-looking elements. Incorporating minimalism can make it easier for you to drive your visitors’ focus on the most important parts of your website. Apart from that, it also helps users navigate your website easier, increasing the chances of lead conversion.
Hand-drawn graphics
It seems that we’re coming back to traditional means when it comes to web design art. From lettering to illustrations, hand-drawn is where it’s at. But in a world where modern tech allows us to create almost anything we want on the computer, why are hand-drawn elements making a comeback?
Today’s customers want personality from a brand, not just a corporate face. And one of the best ways to do that is to create unique, hand-drawn graphics that not only showcase creativity but also exude positivity and emotion through your designs.
Luminous colors
Luminous and glowing color schemes are in trend this year, and you will most likely see them on tech websites that want to give off a futuristic, high-tech feel. This trend uses neon colors against dark backgrounds to make elements pop and give off a striking aesthetic. And for some web designers, they combine these luminous colors with solid tones to create a balance and give users’ eyes a rest from the neon.
Dark mode
Dark mode is a relatively recent trend that started with Twitter. Then, other social media platforms and even non-social media websites followed suit. But why do users love dark mode so much?
The ability to toggle dark mode on and off increases the quality of users’ experience, simply because the higher contrast ratio of dark mode is easier on the eyes. Apart from that, putting lighter colors on a dark background makes those foreground elements pop, thus improving aesthetics while enhancing visual ergonomics.
Dark mode might not be applicable for all kinds of websites, but it is a good idea to give users the option to toggle dark mode on and off. For instance, if you have a food blog, a dark gray background might not fit well with the feel of your blog. But with a dark mode option, users can turn it on when their eyes start to feel strained while reading, enhancing the user experience.
Large photography
Large photos that take up most of your home page effectively drive your visitors’ attention to your objective the second they click on your website. However, the composition and quality of the photo are crucial. Hence, web designers who want to dive into this trend should choose the right image carefully, as a bad image can have an opposite effect.
Bold typography
Like large photography, bold and large typography aims to do the same thing: catch users’ attention and divert their focus on the main part of the page. To maximize the effect of large and bold photography, ensure that you optimize the text for both desktops and smartphones. Otherwise, your typography might look okay on a desktop, but it might be all wonky on a mobile browser.
Furthermore, choose the right font. Cursive typefaces are a no-no. Go for fonts that are easy-to-read, stylish, and matches the rest of your website perfectly. If you have the resources, you can even create your own typeface for a truly unique look.
Web design trends come and go, but some will be staying longer than others. Whatever the case, staying in the loop with these trends is a must if you want your website to look modern and contemporary, which is the best way to catch the attention of today’s audience.
What other design trends have you observed in the past year? Share your opinion with us in the comments below.
