There are a number of creative web design trends that are on the rise within the industry this year. Most of these trends are geared towards the goal of designing a responsive site with unique aesthetics that stands out in the crowded online space.
Whether you’re a designer looking for some inspiration or simply a design lover wanting to learn more about the latest web design trends, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our list of the top web design trends in 2018, and get the low down on what’s hot in the industry this year:
Engaging Web Animations
According to industry experts, more and more brands will be using web animations to convey their messages to users in a fun and engaging way. Animations can be a great way to capture people’s interest even on the most boring topics. They definitely bring a more dynamic feel to an otherwise static page of content. Web animation is also one of the best ways to express the unique personality of a brand using web design.
Part of the reason that web animation is on the rise is due to the many tools now available that make it easier for amateur web designers to create them. This opens up a whole new world of web design for them, allowing them to dabble in an area which was historically only done by professional animators. With this 2018 web design trend, you’ll see the rise of animated logos, animated page transitions, and the return of the beloved GIF.
Inventive Illustrations
Another great way to stand out from the many sites using standard web design and add some instant brand personality into your pages is through illustrations. Custom illustrations have continued to grow in popularity over the last few years, and 2018 will be no different. If you want your brand to tell its story through web design, a unique illustration which represents its personality could be just what your site needs.
Illustrations can be playful and visually engaging while also being functional and conveying the information you want to get across. They’re also a great way to inject some fun into what may have otherwise been dry content.
Unique Typography
It’s hard to believe that not long ago, there was a standard set of fonts that everyone had to choose from. We now have more control over our typography than we ever did before. Web designers are having more fun with playing with custom fonts, and are able to be more inventive with typography styles. Device resolution is also sharper than ever before, so there is no need to worry about illegibility with new fonts.
If you’re looking for your web design to represent your brand in a unique way, designers can now create a completely custom typography that truly conveys the personality of your brand. This adds a human, almost handwritten, touch to the text. In 2018, we’re likely to see more bold and dramatic typefaces as the web design trend is moving away from subtlety.
A Mobile-first Approach
2017 was the year when mobile browsing officially overtook desktop browsing. Now, more than ever, it is essential for designers to focus on responsive web design. In 2018, the web design world will undoubtedly find new and innovative ways to improve the mobile user experience, both in terms of aesthetics and user experience.
A mobile-first approach involves thinking of how the web design will translate to (and function on) a mobile device early on in the design process. Any element of the web design that won’t work well on mobile or across multiple devices shouldn’t even be considered as an option any longer.
Asymmetrical Layouts
2015 saw the first of the asymmetrical web layouts. These quickly became popular due to their unique and unconventional look that stood out from most other sites which were traditionally structured. With more brands searching for ways to create an individual web identity, this web design trend is predicted to grow in 2018.
Although larger sites with a huge amount of content are likely to stick to more conventional layouts for now, smaller sites seeking a unique aesthetic will gravitate towards this web design trend. It also allows web designers to be more creative than they ever have, by breaking the traditional web design rules they were previously restricted by.
Vibrant Colours
This is the year when bold and dramatic colours will be seen everywhere on the web. With technological advances meaning that we can now see richer colours as they should be across different devices, designers are starting to use a wider range of vibrant shades within their web design.
Bright and striking colours are also another way for brands to stand out from the traditional ‘web-safe’ colours of the past and get the attention of web users as they browse by. Designers are becoming more and more inventive with how they use colour in new and interesting ways to produce truly eye-catching web design.
