Web Design Trends of the Last Decade
A lot can happen in 10 years. Just think about all the changes that have taken place in the world – not just politically or technologically, but also culturally. It’s no different when it comes to web design. In fact, if you were to take a look at the most notable web design trends from the past decade, you would see that they are a direct reflection of our changing times and evolving sensibilities.
So what were some of the biggest trends during this time? Let’s take a look!
Notable Web Design Trends #10 - Mobile-First Design
With the release of the first iPhone in 2007, it didn’t take long for mobile devices to become an integral part of our lives. And as more and more people started using them to access the internet, it became apparent that website design needed to cater to this new reality. This led to the rise of “mobile-first” design, where the mobile version of a website is given priority over the desktop version.
This trend has only become more pronounced in recent years, as the use of mobile devices continues to grow at an exponential rate.
Notable Web Design Trends #9 - Flat Design
Flat design is a style of interface design that does away with all unnecessary elements, such as shadows, gradients, and other “extraneous” visuals. This results in a clean, minimalistic look that is often associated with modern design.
While flat design has been around for a while, it gained mainstream popularity in the early 2010s thanks to the rise of mobile devices and their typically small screen sizes. You probably saw flat design being used a lot in iOS apps during this time.
Notable Web Design Trends #8 - Long-Scroll Websites
Long-scroll websites are, well, exactly what they sound like – websites that require you to scroll down a long way to see all the content. This trend started becoming popular in the early 2010s as designers began to realize that it was a great way to take advantage of the increasing screen sizes of devices like laptops and tablets.
Not only that, but long-scroll websites are also well-suited to mobile devices, which is increasingly important in our mobile-first world. An example of this trend is the website for the video game Journey, which features a beautiful long-scroll design.
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Notable Web Design Trends #7 - Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling is a technique that creates an illusion of depth by making elements on the page move at different speeds as you scroll. This can give your website a more dynamic and engaging feel, and it’s also a great way to tell a story.
You’ve probably seen parallax scrolling used on a lot of websites, especially in the early 2010s when it was first gaining popularity. One notable example is the website for the game Super Mario Odyssey, which uses parallax scrolling to give you a tour of the different worlds in the game.
Notable Web Design Trends #6 - Material Design
Material design is a style of interface design that was developed by Google in 2014. It’s based on the principles of good design, which includes making sure that elements on the page are easy to understand and use. This results in a clean, minimalistic look that is similar to flat design.
However, there are some important differences between the two styles – for instance, material design makes use of grid-based layouts and typography that is easy to read. You can see material design being used in a lot of Google’s products, such as Android and Gmail.
Notable Web Design Trends #5 - Brutalism
Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. Brutalism is a style of design that is characterized by its use of raw, unpolished, and often brutal-looking materials. This includes things like concrete, metal, and glass.
While it might not sound like a very attractive style, it can actually be used to create some really stunning designs. The website for the video game Monument Valley is a great example of how brutalism can be used to create something beautiful. Another example of brutalism would be the website for the movie Mad Max: Fury Road.
Notable Web Design Trends #4 - Video Backgrounds
Video backgrounds are, you guessed it, videos that play in the background of a website. This trend started becoming popular in the early 2010s as designers began to realize that video could be used to create a more immersive and engaging experience for users.
You’ve probably seen video backgrounds used on a lot of websites, especially in the last few years. One notable example is the website for the game Destiny, which features a beautiful video background that sets the tone for the game.
Notable Web Design Trends #3- Minimalism
Minimalism is a style of design that is characterized by its use of simple, clean, and often stark-looking elements. This includes things like flat colors, simple typography, and minimalistic layouts.
While it might not sound like a very exciting style, minimalism can actually be used to create some really stunning designs and a lot of brands have embraced it in recent years. One notable example of minimalism would be the website for the clothing brand Everlane.
Notable Web Design Trends #2 - VR & AR
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that are becoming increasingly popular in the world of web design. VR allows users to immerse themselves in a completely computer-generated environment, while AR overlays digital information on top of the real world.
In 2022, it’s estimated that there will be over one billion VR and AR users worldwide and with the introduction of the Metaverse, we’re likely to see even more use of these technologies in the years to come.
Notable Web Design Trends #1 - Chatbots
Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation. They are commonly used in customer service applications to provide support to users 24/7. In recent years, chatbots have become increasingly popular in web design as they can be used to create a more personal and engaging experience for users.
One notable example of a chatbot is the Google Assistant, which is available on Android and iOS devices. Another example is Microsoft’s Cortana, which is available on Windows Phone and Windows computers.
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So, what does the future hold for web design? We can only speculate at this point, but we think it’s safe to say that there will be more emphasis on simplicity and user experience. Animated graphics and flashy designs may start to lose their appeal as people become increasingly inundated with stimuli, and they begin to crave a more streamlined online experience.
We’ll also see a rise in the use of virtual reality and augmented reality, which should provide some pretty amazing opportunities for website designers and marketers alike. What do you think the next big trend in web design will be?
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