This is it, we’re at the culmination of the decade. It seems like 2010 was not that long ago, and lots of trends have come and gone since then, including in the web design industry.
Mobile technology started to rule the world, AR/VR/AI were officially introduced, and these technological developments led to more intelligent web development, and that’s what has pushed the latest trends forward.
Think back on your experiences with websites over the years, especially in 2018. What were the websites that made you stick around while standing out from the rest? A flawless UX and ingenuity are necessary and expected if you want to stand out in the over-saturated Internet world. This is why we invite you to learn more about the upcoming design and UX trends for 2019!
IN: Non-Traditional Scrolling
Traditional page scrolling has been around for years, however, it’s time to use something different for a change. For example, Minale + Mann, an award-winning architectural and design agency in London uses horizontal scrolling to better present their work and showcase their talent in the process.
This is something refreshing, different from the norm, and we can’t wait to see more businesses implementing it on their websites this year.
Out: Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling can look really attractive on a website, but only if it’s done by someone that knows the craft well.
If it’s used amateurishly, it looks odd and out of place on a website. It can create usability issues and website fatigue, and this is why a much clearer and decluttered design with a standard vertical or horizontal scrolling is a lot better than parallax that makes no sense.
IN: Diagonal Lines and Rows
Looking for inventiveness to implement something different on your website? Consider diagonal lines and rows.
This type of design can easily transform your web experience from conventional and dull to inventive and interactive. It can also liven up your content, and make users focus and stay once they’re on your site.
Out: Overly Complicated Layout
Don’t overdo it with your web layout! Yes, detailing and being unique matter, but complicating things for the users is not a smart move! Things evolve fast in the online world, and users are eager to find what they are looking for in your site quickly. It’s all about keeping the attention of users on your site, and there’s no better way to lose them than a complicated layout.
The Nifty Gifty Finder
IN: Brutalist Design
Brutalist design will grow as a trend in 2019! There’s something minimalistic, inviting and effective in brutalist web design, and you’ll see more of it this year and beyond.
This type of web design is all about raw aesthetics. You can expect websites that are unembellished and hide nothing from people and ensuring simplicity in the process.
According to Brutalist Web Design, the following must be respected when applying the style on your website:
Content Must Be Readable on All Screens and Devices
A website exists to deliver content. This is why content must be delivered flawlessly to each device, from desktop, laptops, to tablets and smartphones. A website that uses HTML without too much custom styling can be readable on every screen.
Only Hyperlinks and Buttons Can Be Clicked
Websites are hypertext documents that allow two principal forms of interaction: directing a link to another location and submitting information back to a server. These functions are performed with hyperlinks and buttons.
Hyperlinks Are Underlined and Buttons Are Buttons
There’s nothing like a hyperlink. People must know that there’s a hyperlink that they can click. Buttons, however, should look like buttons rendered on the computer operating system running that browser.
Viewing Content by Scrolling
A website is not a magazine after all. Because people visit websites on browsers, they need to scroll to see the rest of the content. Scrolling works and allows the users to read your content. Scrolling also allows visitors to consume content at the pace that they prefer.
Decorate When Needed
A website is for content, so the design must serve the purpose of the content. In terms of Brutalism, you should never decorate your content for the sake of it. Everything must be purposeful, such as an emoji or an icon next to link or a button.
Performance Is a Feature
The content of a website needs to be downloaded on a computer network and then rendered in a web browser. That takes time, and we all know that users’ patience with slow loading websites is shorter than ever. If you adhere to the Brutalist web design guidelines, there’s no doubt that your website will be much quicker and it will allow the browsers, content, and OS to work together smoothly and efficiently, as they were designed to.
Out: Dense Skeuomorphic Design
Real-like objects in design are still ever-present on the web, and they were extremely innovative at one time, especially on the earlier versions of iOS and computer interfaces.
However, as the users became familiar with the concept and similar-like interfaces, they got used to skeuomorphic design. Nowadays, users are more inclined towards clean layouts, and minimalistic icons. Also, with flat design trends, the coding process became a lot simpler too, and sites become a lot faster in the process.
IN: Be Inclusive
This is not just a buzzword! Inclusivity and accessibility matter and they’re one of the pillars on which web design stands on today, especially when it comes to WordPress.
Web design is useful if it’s useful for a different set of users. Web accessibility is not just a trend. It needs to be purposeful, and it needs to be covered in the way people experience your site in 2019 and beyond.
Out: Inaccessibility
Why would you want to put unnecessary obstacles and limit people to easily access everything on your website? Think about rich color contrasts, keyboard accessibility, visible tab order, alt text, and make sure that you respect each of W3C’s WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
IN: Micro Animations
No, you don’t have to transform your website into James Cameron’s Avatar. Web animation is a trend that is growing and is being combined with features such as parallax or horizontal scrolling, which can be used for added depth to your website story.
Micro animations have a smaller impact on website speed compared to videos, they don’t distract users, and give your website a lively appearance in the process. They can be the guidelines for your website, for example, movement of buttons when you hover them to tell the users that they’re on the right track.
They can also be used for a refined, and delightful cinegraphic backgrounds, that act as dynamic visuals that are way better than using a GIF.
Whatever your tendency with micro animations is for interactive user experience or for decorative purposes, they will have nothing less than a striking effect on your design.
Out: Image Carousels
Image carousels are not that common anymore, but you can still find some websites that use them here and there.
So, why are carousels out? Because they act like galleries and they make it harder for users to locate a button or the page that they’re looking for. According to Nielsen Norman Group, when users look for something specific, they’re less likely to find it because of an auto-forwarding image carousel.
Bottom line, image carousels are distracting, and they hardly convert users. This is why they might be a bad decision for your web design and conversion rate in 2019
Wrapping Up
It looks that slowly, but surely, more and more experimentation and new approaches are taking place in web design, and 2019 is just the beginning of the development and design of attractive, simple, and interactive web experiences.
Analyze your website and see how you can apply the latest technologies and techniques to revamp your web experience. This year, look for ways to inspire your users with something refreshing, even if it’s just a micro-animation, or a slightly diagonal page layout.
If you need to kickstart a completely new approach that combines the latest technologies and trends above, contact us for any questions and support!
Team DevriX
This article is crafted by DevriX's seasoned marketing team, boasting over four decades of collective expertise in crafting sophisticated marketing funnels, devising comprehensive content frameworks and pillars, implementing engaging email campaigns, and creating impactful social media content designed for scalability.
Our marketing experts specialize in the complete spectrum of inbound marketing strategies. As an accredited HubSpot Agency Partner and a Semrush Partner, we engage in meticulous research, blending our extensive experience with the unique insights of our highly skilled team.
We set benchmarks in content creation by incorporating cutting-edge marketing trends, leveraging in-depth industry research, and utilizing state-of-the-art AI tools for data segmentation and captivating content hooks. Our proficiency extends across a diverse range of sectors, including working with SMEs, Fortune 1000 companies, global B2B brands, major publishing entities, WooCommerce platforms, business directories, and affiliate networks.
