That’s right, we’re already heading into the new year ahead. Suddenly, we blinked, and now it’s almost 2024. What’s important with time going by this fast is staying up-to-date with tech predictions and trends, especially when it comes to the world of web.
Although we can dive into many specialty topics related to web, in this Issue we will specifically focus on trends that we might see for web design.
You Guessed it, More AI and Machine Learning
AI and Machine Learning has been bringing significant changes to the tech industry by analyzing user data and behaviour. This is a big boost for web design since websites can become more adapted to what users want based on all this information.
AI can support repetitive tasks such as prototyping and creating content while designers can now focus on creative and strategic planning for web projects. Meanwhile, Machine Learning can be used to make designs more contextually relevant based on user behaviour and preferences.
AI and Machine Learning are definitely here to stay!
Voice User Interface (VUI) is on the Rise
VUI is already something we have seen before (like Siri or Alexa or even the Bad Dream House in The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode), but more websites are also taking on this adaptation. This enables users to effortlessly navigate through a website with spoken commands.
Since this is becoming more popular, web design strategies need to consider how Voice User Interface can be integrated into a visual design. VUI is reshaping the way someone can interact with a website, which helps businesses reach a broader audience and allows their digital presence to become more accessible.
The Simpsons is ahead of it’s time. Always.
Immersive Experience and Interaction
More and more websites are starting to offer users creative immersive experiences. It can be a creative way to grab attention, involve the audience as they dive into a digital realm, and leave an everlasting imaginative impression. This can look like interacting with 3D models, entering virtual storefronts, or utilizing gamification.
On a less technical level, an immersive experience can also come from emotionally engaging videos or visuals which can achieve the same results. It can still be used as a powerful way to connect the user and the site by giving the user content to reflect upon.
Minimalism Design for Maximum Effect
Clean, simple, and intentional design will remain a timeless trend for websites. Sites that lean into minimalism do improve user engagement by enhancing the most crucial information, creating a more seamless browsing experience across multiple devices.
Some of Sland’s favourite design effects we love seeing integrated with minimalism:
Vivid Gradients For Contrast
Gradients can be a great way to incorporate vivid contrast to a site. When used sparingly, gradients draw attention from the user to take action. An example is a site that uses mainly a dark grey scale palette, but has bright and light gradient colours for CTAs buttons, icons and borders.
Large Text
Large or oversized text doesn’t need to be reserved only for Heading Ones, but can be used throughout the site to highlight key information and sections. It’s a fantastic way to say “less is more” if web copy is minimal yet impactful. Over exaggerated text sizes can also help users digest information easier since they can take away what’s high-level and most important when in comparison to smaller long form sections with smaller text.
Balanced and Visible Borders
Something that’s on the rise is the use of visible borders. It’s a nice way to divide up information and provide balance and symmetry. For a while, websites were going extremely border free, but this simple style that is trending again is a great way to enhance design with minimal changes to a website.
More Subtle Animations
If things are zooming in, zooming out, growing, shrinking, fading, twirling, and bouncing, it can become a big distraction to the actual content a website has to offer. Subtle animations keep the user more focused on the site’s information and creates a more enjoyable browsing experience.
When a user ends up on a website, they are expecting to see key content that they searched for right away. Too many animations can leave a user frustrated or confused which results in them bouncing from the site more quickly.
Using subtle animations such as colour changing hover effects on buttons or dividing lines growing on scroll is also more compatible with different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile), and also increases site speed by keeping the site lighter.
Bring your digital ideas to life.