Marketing is all about staying on top of and, when ever possible, ahead of trends. Many of the trends that were spotted last year are still around today and will undoubtedly really take off in 2016. After all, that’s why they are called trends and not fads, as trends tend to stick around for a few years while fads are only hot for a very short time. While 2016 is just getting started, let’s take a look at some of the 2016 web design trends that have carried over from last year with gusto and those just starting to bloom with the coming year.
Universal Trends
Just the other day ShutterStock released their Global Design Trends 2016 Infographic. For this, their third annual infographic, they used data from their 350 million all-time downloads to explore recent and emerging design trends from around the globe. The top 3 universal trends that extend to all things design (including web) are filtered, flat, and authentic. Popularity of mobile photo apps with easy-to-use filters has influenced the first trend; while Apple’s revamped iOS design has made the already growing flat trend really explode. The last universal design trend, authenticity, is rooted in our desire to better connect with real life within the technology that has over run our society. Moving away from over-Photoshopped models in ads and marketing to the real people with more authentic and relatable images.
Interactive Info
As the popularity of infographics keeps continues to rise, the trend will need to evolve to keep the momentum. And evolve it will. This year expects to see an insurgence of interactive infographics as a new twist on the on-going interactivity web design trend. This Interactive UK Energy Consumption Guide is a great example for what is ahead for both the evolution of infographic and web trends.
Mix and Match
Mix and match typography can lead the overall web design layout. This is a great way to present a lot of information without causing clutter. The mix creates visual interest without images.
Paralaxx
Parallax scrolling sites showcase one of the hottest new trends in web design. Sites that use a parallax effect create a 3D experience while scrolling down the page. With new technologies like HTML5, it’s possible to have a little bit more fun with browser effects. But be careful! Sometimes parallax can be overwhelming. Below is a lovely example that doesn’t go too overboard with an effective use of this effect.
Wide Spread
Wide screen displays have been the norm now for more than 10 years but not till this year will web design fully embrace the trend. In 2016, we’ll really start to see a decline in the 960 grid system. It’s a comfort zone for many, but make it a goal in 2014 to ditch the 960 grid and start keeping large screen dimensions in mind.
Responsive
Responsive design is not just a trend, it is a website necessity. It’s silly to think there was a huge focus on building apps for iPhones before we figured out how important mobile web design really is. Data shows around 50% of web visitors are on mobile devices and tablets, so “we don’t need mobile” is no longer relevant.
2015 saw a slew of new web design trends, some of which have begun to fade out and others that stuck around and are still going strong into 2016. So? Which will last into 2016 and which will fizzle into fads? What brand new trends will we see? Only time will tell.