It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close. It only seems like yesterday that we were talking about video, a move away from stock images and AI as the web design trends we could expect to see in 2018.
Things didn’t quite go as expected though did they? AI moved on but not really to the heights it promised, especially as the market is set to be worth $108 billion by 2021. It still seems to be a work in progress and we can expect great strides over the next year.
Maybe things went exactly right for you though and you reaped the rewards after embarking on a new web design project this year. Here at Webthinking we certainly embraced the use of bright, bold colours and the mobile first mantra as we created and developed a whole range of sites, including eCommerce solutions for our clients.
Amazingly, going into 2019 29% of small businesses still do not have a professional website. This statistic amazes us when you consider that the World Wide Web first made an appearance in 1991.
That coupled with the fact that a website is one of the cheapest ways to advertise your business (and your shopfront 24/7) it’s time more businesses realised they needed to move with the times.
But with another study revealing that 48% of visitors admitted that the design of a website is the most telling factor about the credibility of a business, it’s essential you get it right.
Keep it simple
As our attention now turns to 2019 we’re talking about minimalist designs, cleaner and simpler layouts and asymmetric shapes.
As things get all the more complicated and computers and mobile device graphics get better and more sophisticated, it seems we’ve had enough so next year is set to be the year of the flat design.
The simple approach that is so often found on mobile apps will be more appealing than flashy, crowded, complex designs.
In case you don’t know what it is, a flat design is a minimalist one, which makes a website cleaner and simpler to navigate and puts the emphasis on usability.
The clean open spaces and 2d illustrations, which will be preferred to images, also means that the sites load faster on both desktops and mobiles. So, they meet the speed requirements which are now so key to your SEO rankings.
If you’re still not sure what we’re talking about think Microsoft interface and you’re on the right track.
But, if you think flat sounds dull, you couldn’t be further from the truth. When you think of your home decor and you decide to declutter, it doesn’t make it any less homely, does it? Just easier to find things 🙂
It’s all in the colour
When you are using the less is more approach it actually gives more creative power. You can be more selective when it comes to fonts and colours to really catch the eye.
We all know about the psychology of colours, and if they are playing a dominant part in your web design then it’s essential to bear the following in mind:
- Using red can capture the attention of your readers because it is associated with excitement, passion, energy and action which is why it is often used in a call to action, like buy now or to catch the eye, like in sale banners. Overuse of the colour though can have a detrimental effect as it is also associated with danger so potential customers could be put off.
- The use of yellow can evoke feelings of optimism, positivity and happiness, thanks largely to the link with sunshine. A touch of vibrant yellow can give a positive response to your brand.
- Green is often linked with nature, growth and health which is why it is often used by agriculture brands, environmental charities and health businesses. The use of the colour, coupled with outdoor imagery can help you attract outdoor types who aspire to be the persona you have created.
- Blue is a common colour used in business branding because it represents stability, calm and trust, which is essential if you want your customers to build a relationship with you.
- While we are talking about more white space and less clutter it’s worth mentioning the psychology behind the shade because it is associated with innocence, cleanliness and humility and also offers a sense of peace and calm, which is why so many websites now work with more white space than before.
Broken grids and asymmetric design
We have become quite accustomed to literal grid layouts, thanks largely to the use of ‘cards’ and the influence of Instagram, but 2019 is all about breaking the grid to catch the eye.
Breaking away from the more traditional grid type layout can help you add extra emphasis to a certain element but the ‘breaking’ of the grid should only be an option for the right reason and not just because it’s meant to be the next big thing.
Understanding the reason behind the grid is essential though. Not only do they keep content organised they also help with the flow, whether we’re talking about design or content so it’s important that if you do decide to ‘break’ the grid then the content still flows in a logical fashion to avoid confusion.
To speed up the website loading time, particularly on mobile devices, we can expect to see more people using shapes over images. Just as images can trigger thoughts and emotions so can shapes.
- Circles are used in 20% of the world’s most admired brands because they convey positive emotional messages because of what they represent: unity and commitment, strength, sturdiness and an element of community.
- The other main shape used in a logo is a square, which often inspires a feeling of trust and safety. The proportion of the shape helps to also generate a feeling of balance and professionalism.
- Triangles are probably an underused shape when you consider that they can help inspire a feeling of energy because they feel like they have movement. The shape also represents dynamic power, a sense of hierarchy, and continuous motion or improvement. If you are going to use a triangle though make sure you put it the right way up because a triangle that points downwards or left can channel negative thoughts.
Video
Video was expected to be big in 2019 and the use of it shows no signs of let up in 2019 with them being preferred to imagery for backgrounds – now people have realised the effect of video on loading times is not as bad as first thought – they are taking homepage designs to a whole new level.
Videos naturally catch the eye, so people will spend longer on your website watching a video than they would normally, which gives you longer to impress and try to convert visitors into paying customers.
The fact you can also now use videos on Instagram and as social media headers means you will get more use from any videos you have specifically shot.
VUI or Voice User Interface
Following on from AI, VUI is set to move on at a pace in 2019 because of the use of devices such as Siri, Alexa and Google Home, which is set to continue to grow. By adding VUI into your website sooner, rather than later, you will steal a march on your competitors.
Conclusion
Less is going to be more in 2019 when it comes to web design but that doesn’t have to mean the end result is any less impressive. In fact, a more minimalist approach can allow you to be more creative and get your message across better than ever.
So if you’re thinking of a new website in the next 12 months, let us do the hard work for you and design and build a site which is ready for both the present and the future.
