The Changing Face of Web Design

The internet is like a giant, ever-changing mosaic. Remember those GeoCities websites from the ’90s? What about the Flash animations that were all the rage? Oh, how the times have changed! The world of web graphics is evolving faster than you can say “JPEG”. But what’s making everyone sit up and take notice? Let’s find out!

Pioneering Web Graphic Trends

The web is an artist’s playground, and there are some cool kids in town!

• Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) – First up, SVGs! They’re not just an alternative to the traditional image formats but a superhero amongst them. With SVGs, you can zoom in and out without losing quality. Imagine going from a grain of sand to a beach effortlessly. That’s what SVGs are like in the web graphics world.
• 3D Elements – Next, 3D elements. Are you ready to take your graphics to another dimension? Quite literally! 3D elements are like those extra sprinkles on your ice cream. They make everything more appealing, engaging, and downright fun.
• Dark Mode – Do you turn to the dark side? Well, a lot of web designers do! Dark Mode is like a soothing lullaby for your eyes, especially during night-time browsing. It’s a hot trend that also saves battery life. A win-win, right?
• Animated Illustrations – What’s more exciting than illustrations? Animated illustrations! They are like the jumping castles of web design – playful and capable of keeping attention for hours.

The Live Casino Connection

Hold on to your seats, folks! We’re about to dive into the glitzy, glamorous world of live casinos and their breathtaking web graphics

Live Casino Software Providers

Hold up, are you into online gaming? Especially the live casinos? Then this one is for you! The third wave of live casino awesomeness comes from the integration of high-end web graphics. When it comes to live casino software providers, the pioneers are rocking the boat with mind-blowing graphics. Imagine playing poker in an environment that feels like you’re actually in Las Vegas. The chips, the table, the dealer – it’s all so real! The visual appeal is skyrocketing!

Integration of Web Graphics in Live Casino

Interactive and immersive graphics are changing the game (pun intended) in live casinos. From card swishes to roulette spins, the graphics make you feel like you’re in the heart of the action.

User Experience (UX) Enhancement

Alright, let’s dive into the wonderful world of User Experience, or as the cool kids call it, UX! So, you might be wondering: “What on Earth is UX? And why should I care?” Well, imagine walking into a party. The music is pumping, the snacks are delish, and everyone is having a blast. That’s what a great UX feels like for the users of your website. It’s all about making sure your visitors are having the time of their lives!

Page Load Speed

It’s no secret – we live in the age of instant gratification. So, waiting for a web page to load is like watching paint dry. SVGs, efficient animations, and optimized images are pushing those load times down.

Accessibility

Making web graphics accessible is like giving everyone a VIP pass to the party! Alt tags, scalable fonts, and high contrast are just a few ways to make sure everyone’s included.

Future Predictions

Augmented Reality (AR)

What’s next? Augmented Reality! Imagine browsing a furniture store and being able to see how a sofa looks in your living room through your screen. Like magic, but real.

Advanced Animation

Think animations are cool now? Just wait! Future animations will be like having a blockbuster movie at your fingertips.

Conclusion

The world of web graphics is a roller coaster of innovation. From SVGs and animations to the incredible graphics in live casinos, the web is more vibrant and interactive than ever. As we plunge into the future, AR and advanced animations are set to redefine our online experience. So buckle up, the ride’s just getting started!

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History of Network Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking

Network virtualization first began to emerge in the late 1990s as a way to reduce the complexity of managing large networks. This eventually led to the development of software-defined networking, which was proposed by Stanford University’s Nick McKeown in 2003. Over the following decade, network virtualization and software-defined networking have evolved significantly, with the Open Networking Foundation being formed in 2006 to promote the development of open standards for software-defined networking.

Benefits of Network Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking

Cost Savings

One of the major benefits of network virtualization and software-defined networking is the potential to reduce costs. By allowing multiple virtual networks to be created on a single physical infrastructure, businesses can reduce the need for additional hardware, resulting in significant cost savings.

Improved Performance

Network virtualization and software-defined networking can significantly improve network performance, as they enable administrators to quickly and easily configure, manage, and optimize networks. By reducing manual labor and manual configuration, these technologies can help networks run more efficiently and reduce latency, resulting in improved overall network performance. In addition, virtual networks can be easily reconfigured in response to changing business needs, allowing businesses to quickly and easily respond to changing customer demands. As a result, businesses can stay competitive in an ever-changing market, as they can quickly adjust their networks in order to meet their customers’ needs.

Increased Agility

Network virtualization and software-defined networking can also provide businesses with increased agility in network deployment and management. By enabling the quick and easy reconfiguration and redeployment of virtual networks, businesses can quickly and easily respond to changing business needs. This can help businesses stay competitive in an ever-changing market, as they can quickly adjust their networks in order to meet their customers’ needs. Additionally, network virtualization and software-defined networking can reduce the need for manual labor and manual configuration, resulting in cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

Disadvantages of Network Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking

Security Concerns

Security is one of the major risks associated with network virtualization and software-defined networking. As networks become more virtualized and software-defined, they become more vulnerable to attacks from malicious actors. Additionally, virtual networks can be more difficult to monitor and secure, as they can span multiple physical networks and devices. To ensure the security of these networks, businesses must ensure that they have the necessary personnel, processes, and technologies in place to detect and respond to potential security threats. Furthermore, businesses should also invest in specialized skills and knowledge to configure and maintain these networks, as this can help to reduce the potential for security breaches.

Complexity

Network virtualization and software-defined networking can be complex and difficult to manage, particularly for businesses that are new to these technologies. As they require specialized knowledge and skills to configure and maintain, it can be difficult for businesses to deploy and manage these technologies effectively. Additionally, as networks become more virtualized and software-defined, they can become increasingly complex and require more specialized expertise in order to maintain. This can be a barrier to deployment for businesses that are unfamiliar with these technologies or lack the necessary resources to manage them effectively.

Examples of Network Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking

Network Function Virtualization

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is a type of network virtualization that allows multiple network functions such as firewalls and load balancers to be virtualized and deployed on a single physical infrastructure. This can dramatically reduce costs, as businesses no longer need to purchase and deploy separate hardware for each function.

OpenFlow

OpenFlow is an open protocol used to enable software-defined networking. It is based on the idea of programmable network devices, and allows for the remote control of network devices such as switches and routers. OpenFlow also enables dynamic, programmatic network configuration, allowing for the creation of virtual networks that can be quickly and easily reconfigured. Additionally, OpenFlow supports a wide range of applications and services, including network security, traffic engineering, and Quality of Service (QoS). As a result, OpenFlow is used by many businesses to enable rapid, dynamic network configuration, resulting in improved performance and increased agility.

Conclusion

Network virtualization and software-defined networking are powerful technologies that can provide cost savings, improved performance, and increased agility for businesses. However, they can also introduce security risks and increase complexity, so businesses should carefully consider their needs before deploying them. By taking the time to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of these technologies, businesses can ensure that they are making the right choice for their unique needs.

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Consider the main styles in the design of sites from our point of view:

● Classic;
● Minimalism;
● Drawn;
● Metro (cardboard);
● Polygonal;
● Flat (flat);
● Brutalism;
● Festival (promo);
● Grunge;
● Retro;
● Organic & Natural.

Classic Style

Simple, austere, concise and neat. It has a logically structured structure and clear navigation. All elements are located in the expected places. The classic menu at the top or side left, the usual column grid, a minimum of graphics or its complete absence.

Simple neutral colors, neat typography. Fonts are simple, common, the size of the headings are close to the standard, there is no screaming flashy solutions with an unusual size or placement of the text.

Classic style sites used by companies that do not need something in particular to stand out among competitors, they are self-confident, adhere to the rigor and brevity. Also, this style is popular in the niches of law, lawyers, industrial areas.

However, this style is displaced by modern minimalism. The trend is that young progressive companies in these areas are moving away from the boring classics to a more modern and relevant direction:

Minimalism in Web Design

Stylish, neat, spectacular. The main distinguishing feature of minimalism – a large amount of free space, the absence of unnecessary details. The emphasis on the content and photos. The grid is most often used modular. Due to the airiness and properly placed accents can control the gaze of the user, to lead him in the right direction.

I want to shout “we’re betting on this style” =). And yes, designers: you’re probably fed up with the articles on the theme of minimalism, but sorry, we can’t do without it. Moreover, this is the main style of our agency)

Modern minimalism is not a void and simplicity. We are not talking about boredom here! Often, when customers hear minimalism, they imagine a white room with white floor, white walls, white table and chair, and a cheap white closet. So ala neo-cell. But this is a wild misconception, minimalism is not about cheap and lack of everything and everything.

The color schemes are simple and minimal. Often it is one color or monochrome. In this case the color does not have to be neutral white or black. Minimalism welcomes any color solutions, if they set the right tone and accent in the right way. So our user won’t wander with his eyes in the Chinese market, he will easily find the necessary information and in a split second will understand where to click.

Images in minimalism should be in a single style, contrasting, not overloaded with small elements and of the highest quality – the emphasis is on them. The visual magic of the project is created with the help of photographs or premium 3D renderings, and the concept is set.

Typography can be very complicated or simple and laconic. Since the first place in the style of minimalism is the content, the typography is paid special attention. Fonts can be elegant with serifs, strict without serifs, large, standard, bright and modest. The choice depends on the overall mood of the site, the positioning of the brand. The main thing – nothing extraneous: the photo only on the topic, the text in a minimal amount, theses. No complicated textures of bricks under the text, volumetric textured letters, garish banners. The best example for understanding are companies such as: Bork, Apple, BornFight.

This is the most popular (and in our opinion competent) style of site design. It can be used in almost any niche, from technology to parachuting. Minimalism looks good in Fashion, Travel, Beauty, Production, Modern Technologies, IT, Personal Portfolios, Internet-shops, Interior Design. In general, it’s ideal in cases where you need to:

• Present an expensive product;
• To draw attention to photos;
• To reflect the technology, environmental friendliness;
• To convey premium quality;
• Make a user-friendly site in the end =).

Often modern, young, premium, progressive companies choose minimalism.

Picture style

Original, exclusive. Websites in this style look like just drawn. They are interesting, unusual, memorable.

Often beginners when viewing this style of site have the same reaction – wow, I want, how to do. The trick lies in the use of illustrations drawn by an artist or illustrator. That is, to create a drawn website, you need not only UI-designer, but also an artist. Accordingly, the cost of such projects is much higher and the timing is longer.

Drawing sites can be as simple, austere, neat, or super-bright, intricate, engaging: like a maze, inviting to linger to consider every detail.

Colors are used in a variety of ways, from a black and white palette, to a multicolored comic book style design.

Fonts in this style are often also handwritten, or simple, neat, classic, mostly grotesque (sans serif).

The cartoon style is used in the design of the site creative companies – souvenir stores, music groups. Also, the style is well suited for portfolio design in creative niches.

Metro style in web design

Streamlined, simple, convenient. The basis of the metro style (card style) is the principle of building a site structure using sections (cards), which are located all the main content.

This style is used for the convenience of the user in the perception of a large amount of content. Conventionally, it’s like a neatly designed newspaper in which each reader finds the card they want, among a pile of other cards, when viewing it. The easiest way to think of the metro style is to think of the Windows 8 menu with square tiles of folders, apps, and news in one package.

The Metro style is inherently minimalist, functional. Everything is aimed at the convenience of information perception. A cool feature is that this site is very easy to adapt to mobile devices. This saves time, as well as the cost of development.

Colors can be varied, up to a bunch of different colors in the design of one page. The main thing here is not to go too far and pick a well-matched combination of color schemes. Basically uses the tetrad (4 colors).

The fonts are simple, universal, without serifs. The main principle – accessibility and ease of reading. The grid on these sites predominantly modular.

Metro style is used for online shopping, corporate sites, business card sites, portfolios, blogs in various activities.

Polygonal Style

Creative, bright, futuristic. Polygonal style can be quickly defined with a quick look. The design uses geometric shapes – polygons. They can be both background images, decor elements and media content – illustrations.

Polygonal style is based on the simplification and virtualization of realistic objects with polygons – complex shapes, triangles, other geometry (3D-geometry, stereometry, broken lines). At the same time, illustrations and artistic techniques are also represented using polygons. On the one hand it may seem strange, but even in the absence of detail pictures can easily catch the author’s idea.

Strictly speaking, in sites, that straight whole layout was in polygonal style – this is an extreme rarity. Since, even in terms of CSS code, the development of such solutions – a super time-consuming process. Mostly polygonality is used in rendering logos, corporate identity elements, patterns for the background, design elements, etc. Such sites and applications are often bright, futuristic, and reflect the dynamism of the brand. Due to the contrast between the polygonal figure and the background, as well as the layered arrangement of design elements achieves the effect of depth and volume on the site.
Website in the style of geometric minimalism

Typically, additional details are absent, the text is used to a minimum, there is no other graphics, as the polygons in the spotlight and do not need excessive embellishment. In fact, the most important thing in this style – “pictures of triangles. And due to the shadows, the contrast of polygons to each other, animation, color combinations already creates a sense of dynamics and volume of the image.

Geometric Web Design

Geometric Polygonal Web Design
It is important that, as in the drawn sites, graphics (polygonal illustrations) are either purchased at stock sites, or hired artist-illustrator, or in the case of complex animated scenes – a trained Front-end developer such stories. All this + to cost, + to time.

Style Flat

Clear, simple, neat. Style Flat, or flat design, can be described as a simplified design with accessible custom solutions. The basic principle – nothing unnecessary, similar to the style of minimalism.

This style is characterized by simple two-dimensional illustrations, lack of volume, textures, gradient, 3D-effects, complex shadows and other effects. Often only one accent color is used, not bright, muted and a few complementary backgrounds.

Typography in this direction is simple, clear and accurate. This is a simple grotesques (fonts without serifs) and classic common sizes in the design of titles and body text.

Flat design is suitable for all niches of business. This corporate sites, sites of large companies, portfolios, business cards, online stores. The style gained more popularity in the UI-design of desktop interfaces and mobile applications.

Brutalism

Bright, creative and controversial. Unconventional appearance of sites in the style of brutalism causes mixed emotions among users. He either like or causes disgust and rejection. However, the style is quite popular, especially among the younger generation. It definitely attracts attention. Companies that decided to take this step are brave and openly declare themselves, without fear of criticism and condemnation.

The main feature of brutalism is a kind of chaos. There is no logic in the construction of the grid, the elements are arranged vertically in a chaotic manner. At the head of the design itself, usability and content are relegated to the background.

Acidic colors in the priority of design, often a combination of red and green shades.

Fonts can be unreadable, have a single healthy size and do not obey logic or hierarchy. By the way, those who care about SEO – do not use brutalism, as in terms of robots in the code on the site will trash, and in terms of behavioral factors and analytics services – a lot of bounce.

Animation is also not subject to a single style, and can be quite diverse: pop-ups, appearing from different sides of the elements – constant companions of the style.

Brutalism has both pluses and minuses.
On the plus side can be attributed a simple approach to design – do not need to spend a lot of time on the TOR, the study structure, grid and logic.

On the downside – the impression of the user. Not everyone goes bold and ambiguous design in this style. There is a risk of spoiling the impression and losing the user.

Therefore, because of its specific design, Brutalism has few areas of application, rather it is design for design’s sake. It can be used on marketplaces, forums, creative encyclopedias, narrowly focused portfolios, or unconventional, creative festivals.

Festival Style

Bright, juicy, memorable. Festival style or promo style is typical for advertising events, products, brands, festivals, marketing creative and event-agencies.

An important criterion – spectacularity. It is necessary to stand out, to remember, to impress, to create a wow-effect. Mostly, festival sites are created as landing pages, because it is complicated, long and very expensive both at design and development stages. Therefore, in 90% of cases these are purely presentation advertising pages. To put it bluntly – it’s a design to show off the ponce =)

In the promo style all the emphasis on the product, the brand. The minimum of text, a maximum of animations, visualizations. Important form of presentation, the description is relegated to the background. Often graphics, complex 3D-effects, motion and video are used in the design. There are no clear rules for this style – the more effective and creative, the better. Often it’s just a mix of “brutalism and adequacy” from the previous point.

In color solutions in the first place – the colorfulness. Juicy contrasting colors, triad or tetrad, possibly acid colors, all kinds of glow, often a dark background to enhance the saturation – all this promotional style.

The text plays a secondary role, mostly using headlines, slogans, appeals, point theses. This is also where to turn, and allowed the most unconventional solutions in the design. Titles can be huge, and can be – a classic size, it’s neat grotesque or ornate decorative (accent) fonts. By the way antiqua (serif) is very rare in promotional sites, rather if you use a decorative font, it will be something handwritten, like the logo of Coca-Cola.

The grid also serves the spectacular and can be as simple as possible, and complex hierarchical, with overlays, the heterogeneity of sizes of objects and other things.

Festival style sites are used in a variety of niches. Its main purpose – advertising. This can be video studios, development agencies, festivals, galleries, brands, products, personalities, marketing, creative, event-agencies and others.

Grunge

Extravagant, brutal, creative.

This style can be described as rebellious. Bold and careless.
In translation from English grunge – repulsive, unpleasant.

The distinctive features of this trend are dark, dirty colors and textures, untidy arrangement of elements, a complex grid or at all broken rules of composition.

The colors used in the Grunge style are brown, gray, black, marsh green, dark orange. You can often find in the design various textures, patterns (e.g., notebook cage), cracks, scuffs. In addition, various small details – badges, emblems – are often used in the design.

Font solutions are as bold, daring, as the style itself – large size texts, handwritten or non-standard fonts, 3D-effects.

Grunge style is so specific, that it should be used wisely and where it’s appropriate. The business, and more importantly its audience, should be bold, epatastic, and ready for this style. This can be a rock band, a brutal bar, a barber shop, an online store of the corresponding direction, the site of the festival, a young brave company rebel.

Retro

Vintage, eclectic, spectacular. Retro style references the past, an era when books, newspapers, magazines, turntable records were popular. Usually serves to recognize the brand or to emphasize the relevant subjects.

This style is characterized by illustrations and photographs on the subjects of past times, people in the clothes and interiors of the past centuries, old technology.

Muted pastel colors, worn effects, textures of old paper and wood, including patterns and monograms are used in color design.

Typography is characterized by serif fonts, bar fonts as a reference to the typewriter times, handwritten fonts and lettering.

The retro style is usually used for websites of companies with similar themes like vintage stores and exhibitions, retro cars and also portfolios of photographers, designers and artists.

Organic & Natural

Fresh, light, aesthetic. This style is gaining more and more popularity. Everybody is talking about ecology, they want to reduce consumption of plastic and other harmful products, and to switch to natural composition. It can be seen everywhere: in clothing, food, electricity, household.

A distinctive feature of this direction is the use of natural materials and textures in the design. This wood, plant motifs, natural colors and shades. All the attention to decoration. Structure and logic take second place.

In color solutions also the main are natural shades: beige, brown, green, blue. Often these are muted pastel colors, or, conversely, bright, juicy combination of cerulean, lettuce and the like.

Typography is neat and inconspicuous. Classic grotesques, modest, feminine decorative fonts.

The design uses decorative elements: leaves, lines, flowers, animals, birds.

The grid is simple and logical. Usually a column or block.

Websites in this theme are popular in the same niches and brands. This can be business cards, corporate websites, weblinks on natural themes, online stores, such as flower stores, clothing, beauty care products, any eco-business.

A variety of site design styles

In addition to these styles of UI-design, on the expanses of the Internet stroll futurism, art deco, Hi-tech and many others. Often, design styles can use similar solutions and techniques can perfectly combine and complement each other, making the design more integral. And from these combinations are born new styles, from them new trends, from established trends new combinations and so on in a circle … It is almost impossible to follow it =).

But there are variations that are not compatible. For example, it will be strange to see brutal grunge with natural motifs or minimalism :)))

It is important to learn not only to identify the styles of the site, but combine them intelligently, and determine which style will reflect the tone of voice of the brand, and fit into the design for a particular task. So if you’re going to take a risk, then be prepared for an unexpected outcome. Take risks consciously.

The post The Main Web Site Styles in Web Design 2022 appeared first on G&H_web.

Let’s take a closer look at the key trends with examples.

Video, animation and motion design

The most powerful and long-playing trend says that modern sites should be “live”, dynamic, reflecting certain processes, the flow, development. How to achieve this? There are dozens of options – you can choose any, it all works.

To start with a simple – users of all ages, statuses and types love videos. Statistically it attracts attention and sells many times better than any selling texts or static images. A video phone on your home screen is probably the first and best change your site deserves right now.

Creating a brief “About the company in 2 minutes” video would also be a great solution in the spirit of the times, as well as converting (at least partially) your portfolio to video format: became/has been, timelapse of work, selected moments of installation/installation/creation of whatever. Plus, video testimonials. It’s time to forget about thank you letters with stamps. People do NOT believe texts, but they believe real people you can hear and see.

Another way to bring a site to life is through immersive scrolling. That is, the site changes, transforms before the user’s eyes as he scrolls through it, it’s like he’s interacting with it, telling his story. The background changes, individual elements zoom in, highlighted, dimmed, appear from different points (not only at the bottom, but also on the side, or in the manifestation from the center of the screen), running arrows, animated infographics.

Finally, the third way is a variety of animations:

animated cursor changing its shape or size when hovering over certain blocks attracts attention, keeping the user on the site while it “plays”. customizable animation effects for the loading window, keeping the user’s attention while waiting; animation in logos; micro-animation, when the splash screen shows the user not just an image of, say, a city, but the city in which cars are driving, smoke is coming from the chimneys, windows are opening, and birds are flying by; 360-degree animation for displaying products (clothing, furniture, jewelry, appliances, etc.).

3D volumetric world

The manifestation of the same trend “in statics” is the growing popularity of 3D images. They also make the world on the screen more alive and touchable in their own way, as they do not transmit a flat image, and the volume, that is, bring the site into a new spatial dimension, making it more expressive.

Popularity is gaining not only volumetric images, but the volume of fonts, which can be used in headings, and even in the logo.

Complex shapes and outlines

One of the key messages of modern web design – the world (person, phenomenon, product, etc.) is extremely complex and multifaceted. It is like a fractal, a kaleidoscope or a crystal with many faces. Simple shapes like circles and triangles, so beloved by designers in the past decade, are no longer perceived as interesting and self-sufficient. The gaze of the user is looking for something that requires a long look, comprehension, immersion in a mosaic of elements and forms.

The supreme art in this regard would be to allow the viewer to think, unravel and evaluate your image on his or her own. No need to give ready-made solutions – preference is given to associative illustrations in the spirit of sketches, where you want to trace the course of lines, find the nodes of their intertwining to form a picture, or connect your own imagination.

Combining photos with graphics

One of the possible ways to create a complex multi-layered image would be to combine photos with graphics. The synthesis of different types of images allows you to create something quite new, at the “crossroads” of the two worlds: on the one hand, you can stylize a photo by using decorative elements, and on the other hand, breathe life into the painted elements by integrating the real image.

Abstractions, Patterns, Sketches

In a sense, abstractions are also “complex shapes”. We don’t see a “ready-made” picture of a house, a tree or a car, but we perceive color, shape, curve of lines at another – subconscious level, which gives rise to a number of associations in the head, and different for each individual person.

And in the world of web design 2022 abstractions rule! As well as patterns (repeating patterns) and drawings “by hand” in the spirit of sketches, sketches. All this follows in the spirit of the times, appealing to both hemispheres of our brain, making us not just passively perceive the ready-made image, but reinterpret it through the prism of our own experience and worldview.

Where there is room for different interpretations and associative sequences, the interaction with the user is more personal, as if he is having an internal dialogue with you. After all, he sees something that no one else sees, and everyone sees something different, never exactly the same.

Glass and crystal effect

Another “hot” trend in 2022 is the glass effect in textures and/or crystals in volumetric images. It is already being actively used in their design by trend-setting technology leaders, which means that soon this trend will spread everywhere.

Glass textures with the effect of transparency and characteristic glare / gradients are great for the design of backgrounds, substrates, buttons and other elements of the site. The important emphasis is NOT glitter, but rather matte and transparency.

Crystal shapes, in turn, are gaining popularity for use in large format images, logos, website elements. Muted, layered images with blurred competitors and countless facets, hand-drawn (not photo) are a priority – another example of “complex shapes” appealing to a world of associations.

Back to the ’90s, on the cusp of the ’00s

Did you know that some fashion trends are cyclical and rather predictable? Until recently, at the peak of their popularity was the stylistics of the 80’s, today it has already become boring and the turn of the next decade is coming: the fashion of the 90’s, characterized by a bright color palette, metallic colors, grainy textures and a certain brutality is coming back.

At the same time the appeal to the aesthetics of the noughties begins, which is next in line. Its attributes are neon colors, bright highlights with direct allusion to CDs, technology and flirting with futuristic forms.

These retro-wave organically complements the blooming of street culture, graffiti and psychedelic themes in web design – the listed phenomena were just born and actively developed in the mentioned decades. Today they have already tacitly received the status of “official” art and have turned from counterculture into one of its directions. Designers of the 2020s want to take them to a new level, rethink them and use them to find fresh solutions and approaches.

All these themes are great for products that are close to rebelliousness, innovation, freedom of expression, future-oriented, soulfulness, non-conformism.

From art deco to minimalism

At the same time, the modern picture of trends is a celebration of diversity, a kaleidoscope of possibilities and the infinity of stylistic directions. And while some are inspired by graffiti and abstractionism, others choose time-tested classics and sophistication.

Today’s “reference” classic is the Art Deco style, with its deliberate decorativeness, ornamental motifs, characteristic fonts and geometric shapes. It is chosen by projects which translate such associations as prestige, solidity, premium quality, exclusivity, unconditional style and sense of taste, refinement.

It is not necessary to literally follow all the established canons of the past – we do not set out to copy the style of the 20’s, but only to be inspired by it, offering something “based on motives”, but with a new taste and emphasis. In this regard projects that combine art deco with minimalism look especially interesting, which as a leitmotif of our time plays the main theme in everything for many years.

Minimalism remains trendy and relevant on its own, not diluted by other styles. The priority is functionality and simplicity, that is, to remove all unnecessary things as much as possible, leaving only the most critical.

Gradients

Another visual solution, which is gaining popularity is gradients and in particular multicolors. Smooth transitions of color, tone and halftone, the use of a wider and brighter palette to create a mood, blurred abstractions, jazz style, leaving the “boring” monotony – that’s what sets the direction in choosing backgrounds.

A combination of a multicolored gradient background with a photo or illustration, where all the layers are superimposed, looks fresh and stylish, so that it is hard to distinguish where one begins and another ends.

A muted palette + eco and nature theme

For every trend, there is usually a counter-trend of the exact opposite direction. If juicy, optimistic gradients don’t appeal to you, look to Scandinavian restraint. A calm, pastel, muted palette of natural shades, kraft paper, is also at the peak of popularity. Olive, beige, pale pink, gray-blue, muted mustard, cream and pistachio are perfect!

An appeal for inspiration to nature can be observed not only at the level of the color palette, but also in terms of patterns, shapes, starting points for logos and/or naming. Various stylized minimalistic patterns of flowers, grass, forests, and the sea are at the peak of popularity today. Preferably it is the patterns “by hand”, in a simplified manner with maximum stylization: tree = triangle or a set of circles of different sizes, a flower inscribed into a square, the line sets the shape of the landscape, etc.

Monochrome and dark aesthetics

Many fashion projects today choose black to create a powerful graphic accent on the site. Modern and stylish look completely monochrome projects in which the leading role is given to forms, concours, typography, and illustrations are presented, for example, in pencil shades of gray.

After many years of the “dominance” of light (white backgrounds, lots of air, free space) there is a backslide toward the dark themes of sites. They are subconsciously perceived as more weighty, aesthetic and premium.

Zero design / brutalism / design without pictures

But there are quite a few people who are tired of the endless race for new visual forms of expression. They depart from all beauty and aesthetics, and offer a counter design, or its verified and deliberate absence, thus standing out among the thousands of “equally beautiful” sites. Its signs – the simplest forms and fonts, a minimum number of colors and graphic elements, references to the era of the birth of the Internet (remember the first computers with white fonts on the blue screen menu), or the internal workspace developers (circuit, arrows, prototypes without any attempts to embellish anything).

This trend has been commonly referred to as brutalism, but it should not be confused with bad design. In the same way, quality natural makeup is far from equal to the complete absence of makeup or its inept application. Unlike “bad” sites, brutal counter-design projects do NOT scare customers away, but attract them, everything in them is in place and working to make the right impression. In some ways, the creation of such a project is even more difficult than creating a “beautiful” site in the traditional sense.

However, you should be careful when choosing this style for your site. It is most suitable for technology companies, applications and products related to IT – this is the audience will appreciate the brutalism and understand its underlying sarcasm. A wide traditional audience is more likely to be put off by this approach.

Accentuated typeface

If you’re close to the concept of minimalism and reducing the proportion of pictures/graphics/gradients/elements in a design, but brutalism seems too extreme, a great solution is to create a font project that prioritizes text and exactly how it’s written.

One common technique is to take up most of the main screen with a text message. There shouldn’t be too many words, but they should be written in a very large – huge – size and an interesting font that 1-in-1 fits the mood of your project. In this case, the picture is generally no longer needed: you can leave the background minimalistically monochrome, or use some muted images that do not draw attention.

In general, font solutions in the web are experiencing an era of prosperity – more and more projects put the emphasis not on color or shape, but on the font component.

Another unusual and fresh visual solution that partially echoes the previous theme is a minimalistic screen in the style of a billboard or a magazine editorial. It only has one message (it could be the essence of your proposal, a new product presentation, some kind of breaking news, etc.), and the background or the image below it occupies 100% of the area of the first screen of the site. No additional blocks, carousels, links, icons explaining “why you should choose us” and other “splitting” into small elements of the lower levels – all of this is acceptable (in moderation), but not in the upper face of the site, where in addition to this main message is usually left only neaktentsentirovanie menu bar.

This design can suit many projects in very different areas, but it is especially good “friends” with the concept of storytelling, when your site “tells” the story of the company or product. In this case, a certain media form and content complement and reinforce each other.

Inclusiveness, accessibility, adaptability

You might be thinking of a version for the visually impaired right now. And you’re right, but that’s only a small part of the iceberg. Users – absolutely everyone – are opting for sites that are easy to use. That is, the priority is no longer so much a memorable self-design that reflects some sort of message of the company itself, but an adaptive design in every sense, changing to suit the particular user.

What does that mean? Yes, it’s also thoughtful adaptive versions for different screen resolutions, but not only that – mobile layout has long been implied by default, today it’s time to reach new levels of adaptability.

For example, many web projects are now starting to actively add options such as adjusting the desired level of contrast or selecting light/dark presentation options. Paradoxically, but statistics show that such a simple and, at the same time, non-obvious solution as the duplication of the site in light and dark design can significantly increase interest and conversion rates. No need to choose for users at the design stage – they just want to do it themselves! To begin with, the dark theme (as in various readers) is much more comfortable for the eyes in dim lighting and in general in the evening. But beyond that, people are divided into those who visually perceive dark sites better and those who prefer light sites – and those and others are about equal. Don’t lose that other half of your customers.

Site adaptation can also go on another level – the auditory level. Think about how many people you know on messenger like to send voice messages (and how many others just freak out when they get them). Everyone is completely different. But in today’s world of web design, no one should be left out. Create another inclusive solution for those who prefer to “hear” the site (due to personal characteristics, or temporary circumstances – driving, poor eyesight, insufficient lighting, other) – which implies access to the voicing of certain elements/blocks, as well as interaction through voice commands.

These are by no means all of the gaining trends in web design, but we think they are the most striking, distinctive and promising. Combine them in different proportions, follow them, argue with them, or just ignore them. You know best how your business should “look” in the online space.

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Let’s take a look at the main web design trends of 2020.

Let’s start with the fact that the color of the year announced by Pantone in 2020 is classic blue – 19-4052 Classic Blue. The emphasis on this color is observed not only in printing, interior design and clothing, but also on websites and mobile application interfaces.

For Pantone 2020 – Classic Blue reference: Pantone is a world-renowned provider of color schemes and advanced color accuracy technologies for various industries: printing, color inks, fabric and plastic, digital technology, fashion, architecture, and interior design.

Historically, most websites and web applications have been developed for the desktop and then adapted for viewing on mobile devices. The current situation is that more than 50% of traffic (up to 70% in large cities) comes to the site from mobile devices. Consequently, web designers need to emphasize the development of adaptive interfaces.

In 2020 is still relevant trend to use non-standard fonts, when the text of a simple set of letters becomes a real composition, an independent form. A text made in this style combines well with geometric figures.

3D design is reaching a new level thanks to the greater availability of technology. Websites, logos and other elements are becoming more three-dimensional, including fonts.

Bright colors and colorful elements are still popular. At the same time, monochrome and dark themes for websites and apps are trending. Take a photo of a yellow lemon against a yellow background, for example, or apply a monochrome filter to any photo and it will be in line with the trend!

Still relevant is the trend for illustration – drawn characters and various diagrams. Digital illustration itself has long been widely used in web design, increasingly replacing photography.

Collage is still popular. Collage compositions, due to their multi-layered nature, allow you to tell a whole story, holding the attention of visitors to the site.

A trend that is gaining popularity is the combination of photography and drawing. Looks original, allows you to accentuate the details.

Line-art (line illustrations), created by contour lines – minimalism and irregularity, attracting attention. Animation gives a special effect to the linear graphics.

Op-art – optical illusions – giving dynamism to static pictures – a method that allows you to keep a visitor’s eye.

Neomorphism – using smooth soft shadows and light to give volume. Realistic bulges attract the eye and cause a desire to touch them.

In 2020, realistic textures (glass, water, glossy metals and their combinations) are popular again. This technique is often used in branding and product design.

Keep up with fashion in design is not always possible, but it’s not bad. Frequent changes to the site may be perceived negatively by visitors, because they need to make some effort to adapt to the innovations. However, be in a position backward outsider more expensive – in the end, missed opportunities and the loss of a part of the audience. Keeping track of design trends, of course, is necessary, but observe the moderation and appropriateness of the use of certain creative solutions.

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