Over the years, web technology has made tremendous progress. With the help of new technologies, web design can break new ground. So is it even possible to create a beautiful and user-oriented website without using the current web design trends? Are there timeless websites that are still as impressive as when they were launched? Maybe from an aesthetic point of view. But also from a technical point of view? Surely not.
Since Web design does not exist out of nowhere, but has to be technically implemented, web design trends are strongly influenced by technological innovations and opportunities. In this article you will learn more about the upcoming web design trends for 2021.
Table of contents
Trend 1: Serifs (no kidding!)
Many web designers claim: serif fonts are for paper and certainly don't belong on the web. Now you can see serif fonts like Garamond on many websites. Garamond in particular was actually designed for letterpress - not for the web. Obviously, we've reached all the limits of the web and now we need to rethink the old rules. Fortunately, most regular text on the web remains sans-serif. Sans-serif fonts make more sense for longer text on the web because they are easier to read. However, serif fonts are very decorative and are popular for eye-catching headlines.
Trend 2: Contrasting gradient
In the past, webmasters disdained gradients because they were too cluttered on the web. Today they are accepted again. It's not about subtle gray gradients. Now, the gaudier the better. Modern gradients look dynamic and evoke emotions by combining retro colors. Usually, these gradients are combined with a sober, clean design. Today they rather contrast with the rest of the corresponding website.
Color gradients with strong contrast are also increasingly used as symbol colors or logo colors. The palette does not have to be characterized by a specific color. Especially soft and bright colors have become design elements in web design. Dynamic image overlay and color animation are becoming more and more popular. It is unlikely that this web design trend will disappear soon. The color palette should professionally complement other elements of the website to convey the target message.
Trend 3: Standard layout and design templates
The Internet is developing rapidly and becoming more and more complex. A good web design must fit all device sizes. If you want to reinvent the wheel for every new web design project, the technical effort involved is very high. There are templates and frameworks so that even customers with small budgets can set up modern websites.
Standard layouts are pre-built code components through which different websites can be assembled. The result is that websites look the same. On the other hand, the learning behavior of users plays a major role. Navigation is usually done in the upper right corner. Users know this and can find solutions faster on websites with similar structures. This improves the user experience. If every website looks similar, the operation of each page is easy to understand. So, there are not only disadvantages when the appearance of the pre-built frameworks is uniform.
Trend 4: Homepage slider
You will see it again and again: the slider in the home page, the so-called Hero images. Unfortunately, users often ignore these sliders. In fact, these sliders should build emotionality. The header slider is now part of the website standard library. Users are used to finding no real information here. However, it is still a trend to integrate title sliders into websites. Hardly any WordPress theme without such title slider.
But be careful: if the slider or hero image resembles advertising too much, the element will be ignored by the user. The user focuses on what seems useful to him. Title sliders without actual content no longer attract attention.
Trend 5: Mobile First in Web Design
Responsive web design is not a trend, but a must in the meantime. Nevertheless, responsive designs should be mentioned here. Responsive web design is a reaction to users' online behavior and has rightly gained a secure place in modern web design.
Users now surf on the go. Traditional desktop PCs are increasingly being replaced by mobile devices. Some web designers still create their screen designs for HD screens that users rarely use. Even Google is gradually converting its search index to mobile devices. For this reason, there is also a mobile-first approach. Although responsive websites are designed so that desktop websites also display some optimizations for mobile devices, this should now be the other way around. Now the website is developed for smartphones first. Only then should the website be adapted to a larger screen.
A fixed or fixed navigation means that the navigation remains at the top of the screen even when the user scrolls. The fixed navigator always remains visible. Users thus do not have to scroll up again to browse the website. In addition, especially with long text, the reader immediately sees which subpages are still available.
Trend 7: Smart chatbots in web design
Some web design trends like chatbots have emerged from the technological development of computer-aided AI. These chatbots have been popular for many years and are now common on small websites. The design of these chatbots will be more balanced in the coming year and the interaction with the bots will be more user-centric. Chatbots can already be customized and cannot be compared to previous models.
Conclusion: What role do web design trends play?
Should you follow the trends when creating a website? This question can only be answered individually. Critical treatment of certain web design trends is crucial for a sustainable web design. Many customers expect a modern website based on current web design trends and associate this with competence. You can't go wrong with proven web design trends. They are considered advanced and don't jar. Users have seen them before and find their way around quickly because they already know the designs from other websites.
Web design should always be innovative and not copied. Making the site as intuitive as possible should be the top priority. Therefore, consider the trends carefully and add your own creativity. Web design trends are great, but they should also be meaningful and support your goals.