6 Trending Elements of Web Design

The world of design, as a whole, is constantly evolving. Nowhere is this more apparent than web design. In this post, we’ll present you with the trending elements that were created to innovate and to enhance user experience. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Fixed headers:
Fixed headers have been around for a while, but only recently has their full potential been exploited. A fixed header can help simplify a site’s navigation by allowing a user to have persistent access to it. This can make navigating a site feel more natural by reducing the need for scrolling or using a back button. Facebook probably has the most well-known fixed header on the internet.
2. Large photo/video backgrounds:
An increasingly popular design choice is the use of massive photos and high definition videos versus patterns and colors for a site’s background. This practice is great for catching a user’s attention and creating an instant connection with the site’s content. This can be a huge boost for marketing because users can quickly grasp what a product or brand is all about, right from the start.
3. In-Depth Videos:
Users appreciate immediacy, and in-depth videos are a great vehicle to provide that instant information. Detailed videos featuring brands, products, and benefits are a simple and straightforward way to deliver content. They can also reduce the complexity of learning and engaging with content. The modern world is a busy, chaotic place and it’s easy to see why video content is becoming a popular trend in web design.
4. Flat Design:
Flat design is focused on putting content first. This trend, introduced by Microsoft with their Windows Phone platform, sticks to a minimalistic style, that steers clear of fancy effects like beveled edges, gradients and drop shadows. The simplified aesthetic utilizes ample white space and cleaner layouts to draw a user’s attention towards what’s most important: meaningful content. This method also eliminates clutter and increases the legibility of your message, guaranteeing a more satisfying experience for the user, particularly in mobile devices.
5. Parallax Scrolling:
This particular web trend has been picking up a lot of steam in just the past few years, and has graced the pages of some major companies including Spotify and Oakley. Parallax scrolling basically means that website objects and content moves at different speeds on different layers as the user scrolls. This creates a visually appealing three dimensional effect that gives a website additional depth. Parallax scrolling can add a lot to a website’s overall impression, but web developers need to exercise caution when implementing it. If not done properly, parallax can add to a site’s loading time as well as confusion to a site’s layout. Everything in moderation, as they say.
6. Hero Graphics:
Hero graphics are the large introductory areas just below the header of many modern websites. Usually incorporating a wall-to-wall image with large minimal text, hero graphics are a great way to grab a user’s attention and very quickly introduce a key product or service.
Websites are becoming simpler, with a heavier emphasis on content and mobile-friendliness, all in an effort to create an experience that is attractive and efficient.
Here are some topic-related posts:
– Why Responsive Design?
– 13 Scare Website Features
– Reasons Why a Website Redesign is Worth the Investment