Thanks to the advancements in technology, what’s “hot” and “trending” in web design is constantly changing. So, what’s getting a lot of attention in 2016 on the web design front?
Here’s a sampling of what’s trending.
1.Live Product Reviews
“Landing page design has seen incredible growth stemming from greater Internet speeds and browser capabilities. One major trend I’ve noticed is the addition of live product previews on homepages or custom landing pages,” says Jake Rocheleau.
Whether by means of a video tour, vector graphics or live animation, the consumer is given a glimpse into how the product works. Even a simple PNG screenshot can offer a preview of how the product operates.
2.The question remains: To Scroll or Not to Scroll?
Could it be we’ve reached the point where scrolling increases readership, but yet we want less scrolling? Possibly, says Amber Leigh Turner. “For 2016, I anticipate some sites going with minimal scrolling while others embracing the long scroll. It will be interesting to see the scrolling battle play out in 2016 and which one comes out on top.”
While there are pros and cons to both, currently there are more long scrolling sites than those utilizing the short scroll. Many consumers enjoy the easier, more natural feel of the long scroll although scanning for content can be more difficult. Like me, they prefer to “scroll” rather than the “click, click, click” that often accompanies a short-scroll site. Each format obviously has a place and will no doubt continue to be tweaked to obtain optimal content consumption.
3.Expanded Typography Options
Due to increased resolutions and responsive designs, font options have increased. “Typography can be more colorful and stand out. It can make a statement. Two trends that I’ve seen with typography are the use of serifs and hand-writing,” shares Randy Brown.
Now that screen resolutions and sizes have increased, the use of serifs is on the rise. Serifs improve legibility and open the door to more elegant fonts. Brown expects to see more use of serifs within content.
Handwriting is not only pretty, it creates a more personal touch. Brown expects to find handwriting in logos, headers, titles and so forth. The challenge will remain with both serif and handwriting fonts to keep the style readable on small screens.
4.Tiles Replaced with Cards
Thanks in part to Pinterest, tile-based designs took off in 2015. With a deeper level of functionality and interactivity, this web design uses hover effects that flip the cards over, expand them and the like. It’s basically a grid layout where the focus remains on the imagery, making the content easy to see at a glance.
At ASJ Partners, we make it our business to remain on the cutting edge of web design. We will ensure your website speaks to your success and nets exceptional results with a unique responsive design and attention to mobile solutions. Contact our design team today for more information.