According to Massimo Vignelli, one of the world’s most influential designers, when it comes to design, “If you do it right, it will last forever.”
But that’s not applicable for the web. Unlike other media, the internet is continuously changing. New technologies are constantly expanding the designer’s capabilities and imagination. 2017 is coming and what was once right will look dated as screens and processing improve.
Here are five trends that users will be seeing more frequently in the New Year.
Mobile First
35.7 million Filipinos out of 47.1 million (this must be presented in infographic format) active internet users browse using mobile devices. Due to their portability and convenience, the use of smartphones and tablets will continue to rise and will become the primary – if not the only way – users consume the web. The most prevalent design practice is to start with the desktop then scale down but that is about to change in 2017. Designers will begin with mobile-first then scale up. This method of design ensures that the mobile experience is optimized and reduces the glitches which occur when large designs adapt to smaller screens.
Custom Illustrations and Designs
The average user visits 89 websites per month. And as he browses through more pages and sites, he will begin seeing too many similarities, such as the familiar face of Ariane, the stock photo model found in ads across the world. The sameness is caused by an overdependence on design templates and stock photos. To prevent users from becoming tired of the same old visuals, designers in 2017 need to create original designs and visuals.
GIF, Video, and Animations
GIFs and videos won’t be confined to Facebook social media anymore. Websites searching for original eye-catching visuals will use various animations to improve their designs. A word of warning, too much animation slows downloading time, which does turn away users.
More Depth with 3D
Websites will still be flat but 3D objects, such as mice, headphones, and pens will begin to pop out and create depth in the coming year. The innovation was introduced by Google’s Material Design, which brought fresh perspectives to how web designers should look at shapes.
Bold Typography
In 2016, big, breathtaking pictures dominated home pages of websites worldwide. In 2017, typography will do the same. Beautiful letters working with dynamic text and image layering will provide users with new and more meaningful experiences.
If your website is due for revamping, take these trends into consideration to enable your site to look fresh. Watch out for the next installment and subscribe!
