As technology advances and turns out to be more ingrained into each aspect of our everyday lives, users are expecting more and more from their online user experiences.
Subjective, interactive, as well as relevant are 3 keywords which users want from their user experiences. This eventually means web designers working in web design agencies, nowadays face the challenge of developing a website which comprehends and responds to its users all through the procedure.
What’s different in 2017?
Let’s look into the five most recent trends that can be followed by creative web designers:
Conversational UI
Last year was marked for conversational interfaces. As messaging platforms are going beyond social networks and app downloads, companies are starting to think about ways on how to make use of this transformation.
As a result, the design of conversational user interfaces (e.g. for websites) will turn out to be an increasingly important topic for the majority of web designers this year.
GIFs and other animations
Several websites as well as apps use animations for a while. What’s different is that GIFs are turning out to be quite popular. GIFs are great and all over the place. Nowadays built into Fb, it can be used for your web design, as well.
However don’t overuse them – they work well to attract a user’s attention. It allows you to offer a richer product experience, give details about the workflow, or just offer a how to guide for your consumers. And with numerous creation tools for it, designers are not limited in their designing.
Minimalistic design
Ease is being taken to a complete different level this year, therefore rather than visiting the homepage; users are nowadays offered with a card. These are entry points which work as the access to extra information. In a website itself, various cards can be used to visually advise a topic and attract users to click. This simplicity will go for menus and navigation a well, both of which will be as uncomplicated as possible.
Basically, people nowadays want de-cluttered, simple, and visually descriptive web designs.
Typography goes large
Typography is getting larger as well as bolder. Brands will be going larger in size, more striking, and even full screen. Dynamic shades and textures will be added to attention-grabbing and vibrant fonts to come up with a complete ‘wow’ effect.
It seems typography works well both to for attracting as well as retaining user’s attention. Big typography can be used efficiently to break up the grids, particularly if the site has a long scrolling page.
Less stock photos, more genuineness
As people, we do have a preference to see bespoke images which actually are in connection with the business or company, instead of a general image.
Web designers should rather use no image of any kind then making use of a stock photo. Taking photographs is an art form and one which possibly got a bit lost for a few years. However, this year it’s back and more influential than ever before. The vital thing to keep in mind though is that your website serves a purpose and so everything on it, comprising the image, should do so as well. Pictures of your people (meet the team) are popular as well – put a face to the brand.
Not just genuine imagery is on the rise. Cartoons, comic strips as well as other artworks are as well.
At the same time as we think everything on this list is fairly good, don’t try and fit each single one of these trends into your new website.
Be choosy, be careful, and, above all, be innovative.
About Author
Hitesh Dhawan
Founder of Neuronimbus, A digital evangelist, entrepreneur, mentor, digital tranformation expert. Two decades of providing digital solutions to brands around the world.
