2014 has seen incredible growth and evolution in portable devices. Smartphone screens are getting bigger, tablet screens are getting smaller, and we even have the ability to carry tiny touch screens on our wrists thanks to smartwatches. As consumers, we are becoming more and more reliant on our ability to surf the web no matter where we are. Tailoring websites to our expanding collection of devices is becoming increasingly important.
As we look to 2015, it will be the responsibility of web designers to create user-centric interfaces that are visually appealing across all of our devices.
With that in mind, here are 5 web design trends to look for in 2015:
- Responsive Design – As new devices are introduced and existing devices evolve, responsive design will become increasingly important in 2015. Responsive design refers to the ability of a website to resize itself and reorganize content according to the dimensions of the screen and device ion which it is viewed. Today, websites are no longer visited solely by computers, but also by smartphones, tablets and even smartwatches. Web developers must keep this in mind when choosing page layout, content and images. The goal of responsive design is not only to ensure that users can easily navigate the page, but also to make content aesthetically pleasing no matter how it’s viewed.
- Typography – Thanks to Google Fonts, picking a charismatic font that best represents your brand has become more affordable and easier to access. Choosing a unique font is a great way to personalize and reinforce consistency of your brand across digital and print campaigns. In addition, using an individualized typography reflects style and creativity on your website without adding excess clutter. Although not all types of businesses have the ability to use fancy fonts on their web pages, the days of being restricted to Helvetica, Times New Roman and Arial are definitely a thing of the past.
- Flat Design – Another emerging trend seen in 2014 that will continue to be embraced by web developers is flat design. Flat design is part of a bigger movement for digital interfaces to become more user-centric. Visually, flat design can be described as a digital layout that includes bold color choice and simple geometry. It is “flat” because it omits features that would convey depth or dimensionality, such as shadows or gradients. One popular example that often uses the flat design technique is infographics. By using bold colors and simple geometric shapes, flat design is an optimal choice for communicating information in a fun, direct and user-friendly way.
- Bigger Images – Our smartphone screens keep increasing in size and this extra viewing space has opened the door to more (and bigger) image use. According to com, we will see more websites using large images as backgrounds for their home pages in 2015. The big image trend is the result of bandwidth and loading no longer being a restriction. Using images on your webpage is a great way to express ideas in a visually appealing manner. Additionally, images are much better at communicating ideas on small devices, where text may be hard to read. Choosing a unique image as your website’s background will make your page stand out and make your brand memorable to consumers.
- Parallax Scrolling – A final trend to look out for in 2015 is the increasing popularity of parallax scrolling in web design. Parallax scrolling is a technique often used in video games to create three-dimensional visuals in a two-dimensional plane. This affect is achieved by making the background move slower than the foreground as the user scrolls down the page. Not only does parallax scrolling make your page more visually intriguing, it also can be used to tell a story as the user navigates through the page. One breathtaking example is Sony’s “Be Moved” Parallax scrolling is a wonderful way to share information while creating a more interactive user experience.
Although we can’t predict what kinds of emerging technology will be released in 2015, it is clear that user experience will be at the center of web design. As the New Year approaches, we can look forward to both increased functionality as well as aesthetically pleasing features no matter what devices we’re using.
