Web design isn’t a fancy term anymore. In fact, it has come quite a long way from blinking text and pixelated graphics to the late 90s and 2000s of improving and emerging websites to the 2010s where third-party cookies were used extensively and clickbait started ruling supreme until its ouster.
The field is dynamic one and is constantly evolving to keep pace with upcoming technologies and users’ expectations. Let us now go in a bit deeper and explore the world of web design and some trends that shaped it, plus where it is going now.
What was web design like back then?
A prime focus on functionality marked the early days of web design. Websites based on Web 1.0 were usually informational with basic layouts and limited user interaction. Web 2.0 ushered in a wave of extensive creativity when the internet matured.
Material design that mimicked real-world objects became quite popular. Buttons began resembling 3D knobs or menus which were styled like file folders. They are indeed visually appealing but in the 2000s, these elements slowed down loading times.
When did minimalism become popular?
The 2010s saw a rise in the popularity of minimalism. A flat design with vibrant colors, clean lines, clear fonts, and abundant white space became the norm. This shift gave priority to user experience (UX) emphasizing clean layouts, abundant white space, and perceptive navigation. Though minimalism does continue exerting influence, Maximalism came up eventually.
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What does today’s web design embrace?
Web design today embraces a wide range of trends. Subtle animations and rich media are used strategically. This helps enhance user engagement without hurting the website’s loading speed. Microinteractions in the form of hover effects and subtle animations help add delight and finesse.
Professionals from a web design company in the UAE prioritize Accessibility. It helps people who are differently abled access and use websites seamlessly without any hindrance. Inclusive web design gives accessibility topmost priority for users having disabilities. It makes sure everyone can navigate and interact with websites on effective terms.
What does the future hold for web design?
Web design has a future that is full of exciting possibilities. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are proving to be quite important in web design. Imagine websites that can personalize content based on the preferences of users or chatbots providing interactive and intelligent support. However, personalization is being trimmed whilst chatbots have fallen short.
Yet the boundaries between digital and physical are being blurred. Extended reality (XR) encompassed both augmented and virtual realities (AR/VR). It is opening doors for immersive online experiences.
One of the best applications seen so far is experiencing and trying products in 3D or experiencing vacation destinations in a multi-dimensional manner within the web browser or via XR devices.
What trends in web design should web designers take notice of?
Web design is more than just aesthetics. It is about creating valuable connections with users. Technology advances, and designers will continue creating top-notch websites. A website cost in Dubai is no longer about frugality but rather about adding value to websites. Websites should be stunning, accessible, intuitive, and capable of creating deeper user engagement.
Here are some trends web designers should not overlook:
Customized illustrations
Illustrations breathe life into the website. Modern web design pulls inspiration for this from print publishing plus other traditional art formats. Cookie-cutter stock images are now old. Websites are now adding custom illustrations to their web designs. They help make the brand unique and also add a new degree of brand awareness especially when these illustrations speak the brand’s style.
Complete-page headers
Full-page headers will be an important component of modern web design. Web designers can implement variations in page headers. Yet a popular method involves adding key text, or call-to-action (CTA) buttons to the left side of the page header. Captivating imagery is added to the right. This is done because readers usually focus their attention to the top left side of the page.
Parallax Scrolling
Another modern web design trend, this scrolling helps expose more of the website each time a visitor/user scrolls. It helps the website tell a story.
