Every December, you can expect to see a list of web design trends that gives designers an idea of what to expect in the coming year. But what if you want to plan further ahead than that?
Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of predictions that will help you prepare for the longer term.
1. 4K Websites
A while back, we saw the massive push to make it possible to view any website on a small screen. Now we’re looking to transition to a larger screen with 4k or ultra-high definition (UHD) websites.
4K represents 3,840 x 2,160 pixels in order to make images clearer and sharper on larger screens. It may not turn out to be as big as the earlier trend, but it will inarguably make waves for the future of web design.
2. Contextual Computing
Pretty soon, our technology will understand us, our needs, and our environment instead of the other way around. It will integrate into our lives so seamlessly that websites will be prepared to anticipate our needs through the use of smart automation, virtual assistants, and excellent usability.
3. Web Components vs. Code
Website coding is complex, but it might become simpler with the emergence of Google’s Web Components, which may replace coding. It promises to simplify written code so designers can create websites faster and better than ever.
4. Seamless Transition Between Screen Sizes
Right now, getting a website to fit on screens of all sizes is a nightmare for designers. There are so many options that it’s only a matter of time before we’ll have developed a system that can easily create fantastic-looking interfaces across screens of all sizes … without any distortion.
5. Gesture-Led Interactions
Plain and simple, scrolling is already on the way out. Now, it’s all about following scrolling gestures. With the use of a single finger on a track pad or mobile device, a user may scroll interactively through a website. Sites will need to employ more interactive elements to complement those gestures.
6. Goodbye Fold
Remember when you were in school and they all talked about designing above and below the fold? That’s becoming irrelevant. With gesture-led content comes the demand to fill web pages with large, beautiful images, limited text, and interactive elements.
7. Simpler Websites
Impatience is standard with today’s web browsers. Given the ability to flip between tabs in less than a second and take in content in not much more time, consumers look for websites that get to the point swiftly, so they don’t waste any time on a site. This calls for simpler websites with limited homepage content that speaks to just the essentials.
8. No More Pixels
When you say the word “pixelated” to your grandchildren, they won’t know what you’re talking about. Retina displays and modern browsers are making vector images more popular. It won’t be long before they replace all images in modern web design.
9. Unique Animations
We went through a period when animation in any form was viewed as cheap and cheesy. But that’s begun to change as page designers are recognizing the benefits of animation. For instance, animation helps a site to stand out and define the user experience. It’s easy to integrate animations, and they can often have as much impact as a photographic image.
10. The Internet of Things
It seems as if everything is connected online now; but in the future, this will be even more the case. Web designers will be expected to integrate more plugins and services into their sites to deliver a better, more connected user experience.
