Jay Leonard
Checkout this beautiful and informative infographic about the future trends of Web Design for 2017
For the visually impaired, here’s the text-friendly version:
As an evolving industry, changes in the web design field are almost inevitable in any part. And as we approach the beginning of 2017, everyone is looking forward once again to many trends and shifts that are already looming in the field of web design.
In this infographic, we’ll look at some of the trends that will shape the world of web design in 2017. From themes to technologies, expect that these trends will influence both the performance of websites and ultimately, the experience of users in the years to come.
1. MICRO-MINI INTERACTIONS
The concept of micro interactions has really swept the feet of many web design enthusiasts since 2015 as it allows them to make the user Interface more appealing and approachable to the user. And as it becomes a fundamental concept in web design, there can be no doubt that more and more brands will implement this on their website.
However, as apps and services are becoming detailed and gritty, we’re expecting to move towards micro-mini interactions — where individual interactions are further broken down Into smaller bits with a greater degree of interaction
2. WEATHER APP DEVELOPMENT
One of the first things that we want to know in the morning is the weather. Because weather can either make or break our daily activities, we often take delight tracking its course, making our plans subsequently.
In 2017, we are more likely to witness an increased demand for weather apps as more and more people need to keep themselves updated with the latest weather. So. Expect to see more UX designers shift their attention in creating mobile weather apps.
3. THE MOBILE FIRST APPROACH
Prioritizing mobile devices in the design process isn’t new. But with more people using their smartphones to connect to the Internet and access their favorite apps, more companies are likely to take the mobile-first approach in designing their sites and apps in 2017.
Because designing for mobile has more restrictions than designing for devices with larger screens like desktops and laptops, the mobile-first approach will also give the brand insights on what core content and messages they really want to communicate.
4. INTERACTIVE WEB STORYTELLING
Storytelling is one of the most powerful approaches that when done right, can attract a lot of visitors to your website. Here are the storytelling trends that brands are likely to implement en their website in the years to come:
Videos
The use of videos to communicate brand messages to users has been abundant, and there is more to come in 2017. With video taking 70er of all consumer Internet traffic by 2018.
Bots
In an effort to achieve a more natural a. interactional interface, web designers are currently experimenting with using chatbots to create the interaction between the website and the user more personal as possible.
Animation
The developments with HTIVILS, CSS and JQuery have allowed brands to include animations on their websites to engage with users. Though most websites employ animation as a UX-enhancer device.
5. MORE RESPONSIVE DESIGN
Responsive design is not new in web design, but in 2017, it is predicted that more brands, regardless of their size, will build a more responsive-based website. Responsive design, which refers to the use of CSS media queries and flexible grid/layouts to build a website – can be very useful as the mobile-first approach gains more importance in the industry.
Responsive design makes a website dynamic, allowing it to adjust and rearrange its content depending on the screen size of the device. In result, brands can make significant cost-savings using this approach since they only need to build a single site, which effectively delivers content on various devices.
6. HAPNOTIC FEEDBACK
Haptic feedback is the technology, which refers to the use of sense of touch in a user interface, such as a virtual keyboard, whose individual keys provide tactile feedback when pressed. Through the years, this technology has undergone a lot of advancements, thanks to the decreasing cost of Electo-Active Polymer Actuators (EAPs).
One of latest modifications of this technology is the hapnotic (haptic hypnotic) feedback, in which an interaction designer can use a sequence of subtle pulses and vibrations to lead user to a “purchase now) button, or even discourage them from exiting a screen by activating pleasant texture on the page. Although this is still in the experimentation phase, we’re likely to see this roll out in to the market within the next 12 months.
7.ORIGINAL IMAGES AND TYPOGRAPHY
We’ve seen a lot of websites that look and work in a very similar way for some time now. Because of this, more brands are more likely to move away from using stock images, videos, and icons on their website, and instead, produce original assets that can make them stand out from the crowd this coming 2017.
Unique Typography
Gone were the days when the digital sphere is very reluctant on using flashy typography on websites. As one of the most powerful and straightforward ways to create brand personality and tone, expect that more brands will take advantage of over-sized and hand-drawn typography on their websites this 2017.
Personalized Illustrations
Playful, and often light-themed illustrations are gaining much traction on the Internet lately, that even some websites have been using this as the main visuals to create their unique identity in the market.
Authentic Photography
Photography will remain to be a staple in web design, but with the exception of stock images. Part of the strategy of many brands lately is to curate high-quality images that can attract users and help them emphasize their brand message and storytelling.
8. MORE FLAT DESIGN
The material design from Google, which was introduced back in 2014, is still considered to be the best way to achieve simplicity in today’s mobile—dominated industry. With its flat colors and simplistic design, users can interact with the website more fluidly and intuitively, making it a consistent trend in the web design world in the years to come.
Another user interface based on Google’s material design is Cards. Made famous by
Pinterest, the card Ul is where sections of content are displayed as individual “cards” which users can navigate through. This works hand in hand with the mobile-first model since it only requires simple gestures such as swiping to navigate the content of mobile devices, which then scale up for desktop users.
9. PARALLAX SCROLLING
Another shift that we’re likely to see in 2017 is the number of brands that will use parallax scrolling on their websites. Parallax is a scrolling mechanic which gives the illusion of 3D to users. Again, this can be very useful for brands who want to make their website as unique and dynamic as possible while serving its purpose to users.
10. PERFORMANCE AND INTELLIGENT ANALYTICS INSIGHT
Web design greatly varies on what works and what doesn’t on your website. This coming 2017, more brands will consider the performance metrics of their website that goes beyond page views and unique visitors when designing their website. With insights that tell you which part of the website should be improved or discarded, a brand can further increase its engagement. Which is one of the primary goals of web design.
These are just some of the trends and shifts that are expected to take place in the web design world in 2017. By being aware of these trends your business will be able to make necessary adjustments and developments on your website to make it at par with the industry’s standards.
This article was written for Business 2 Community by Jay Leonard.
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So the exact same trends as 2016?