
Web designers are turning to the metaverse for inspiration. This visual style uses 3D elements to create a whole new online world for users to explore.
Microinteractions are small animations that help users navigate websites without much effort. They can include chimes, scroll animations and other subtle features that help improve user experience.
1. Lightweight Websites
Lightweight websites use less data and load faster than traditional sites. This makes them ideal for mobile devices. In 2022, users are expected to visit more websites on their mobile devices than ever before. This increase in web traffic means that businesses must focus on creating lightweight websites.
A lightweight CSS framework is a great way to reduce loading time for your website. These frameworks include code snippets that can be easily integrated into the source code of your website. They also enable you to create responsive websites without adding extra code. You can also minimize page weight by using system fonts instead of custom ones, reducing the number of images and videos you use and optimizing them for size and complexity. This will help you improve your Core Web Vitals in Google PageSpeed Insights. UIKIT is a modular front-end CSS framework that allows developers to create lively and impactful web interfaces.
2. Parallax Scrolling
One of the most exciting web design trends, parallax scrolling brings flat pixels to life by creating a sense of depth and dimension. This effect makes website visitors feel like they are exploring a website rather than just reading it.
For example, the owl perched in vegetation on The Haircut website is not only visually striking but hints at the dimensionality of the rest of the site with tumbling letters, spinning visuals, and other effects. a website uses a simple parallax effect to draw your eyes from the hero image into its content to visualize its services and past work.
Similarly, a company uses parallax to make their product look more visually interesting. Their homepage showcases a variety of projects with images that shift and animate to show the different capabilities of each project. This keeps their information clear and digestible.
3. 3D Elements
3D elements are popping up on websites across the web to give users a more tactile experience. From decorative icons and logos to e-commerce product renderings, designers are using this design style in all sorts of ways.
The flat icons and statue all fall downward toward the logo to form a unique composition that’s sure to catch visitors’ attention.
3D modeling software allows you to add textures to models and adjust their depth to create a more realistic look. You can also use text to add a more human element to your designs. For example, you can use the software to add text that appears to be floating in midair or to highlight important information on your page.
4. Eco-Friendly Design Elements
From utilizing colors that echo natural elements to a minimalist aesthetic, eco-friendly designs are becoming popular in web design. This trend started by Blue Whale Media is also about making websites accessible for all, including people with disabilities or impairments.
Using page transitions, such as animations, to accentuate certain aspects of a website is a web design trend that continues to gain popularity. Examples of this include highlighting an important feature, adding visual interest, or creating a call to action.
In the future, we might see web designs that adapt in real time based on user behavior. For example, imagine a news website that automatically rearranges articles and story sections based on your interests or an e-commerce site that adjusts product suggestions based on your previous purchases. These kinds of changes will help improve the overall experience for users. They’ll also increase customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Websites
AI for websites is a powerful tool that helps increase customer engagement and improve website conversions. It can also be used to help reduce web loading times, enhance site accessibility, and create personalized content automatically.
Graphic artists can mix digital and handmade elements to add a unique aesthetic to their portfolio. This trend is catching on, especially amongst designers who want to stand out from the competition.
Another popular design technique is to use illustrations that create a friendly, inviting experience. This approach is a great way to communicate a brand’s message and create a memorable user experience. For example, Slack’s illustrator Alice Lee has crafted visual narratives that are warm and sophisticated. She has also created a playful style that uses interactive 3D elements to create a fun and engaging experience. This is a great trend to keep an eye on in 2023.
6. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Using VR and AR on websites allows businesses to create an immersive experience for their visitors. This is a great way to engage your audience and can increase the time spent on your site.
Another trend that is becoming increasingly popular is the use of circular shapes and rounded corners on website designs. This adds a modern and fun feel to your website, which can keep users engaged for longer.
Bold typography and vibrant colors are also continuing to be a big design trend. This style is perfect for creating eye-catching websites that will stand out from the competition.
7. Color Gradients
Color gradients are a great way to add depth and dimension to your website. They also help to communicate emotions and moods. For example, blue and green gradients can be used to create a more earthy feel.
There are many different ways that a color gradient can be created, though linear gradients are the most common. This type of gradient is a line that starts with one color and ends with another color, and the colors are blended into each other as they move from one end to the other.
Other types of gradients include circular and radial gradients. Both of these types are defined by a center point and multiple color-stop points, which allow you to create a variety of unique effects. Moreover, they can also be angled and used to create a pattern.
8. Art Deco Style
Web designers are bringing back the feeling of touch to the digital world by adding textured elements to websites. This includes overlays, gradients and patterned imagery that add depth to the page. According to Huri, these textures will help brands stand out and attract a new generation of consumers.
Brutalism will also be a popular trend in 2023. With its dramatic typography, asymmetrical shapes and a punk aesthetic, this style reflects the rebellion against the status quo and is sure to capture a younger audience.
Another upcoming trend is the use of dark mode web designs. This can be a great way to reduce eye strain and create a sleek, modern look for websites. It can also be used to highlight important information and make it easier for visitors to navigate a site. Check out the Greta-Madline website for a playful example of this trend.
9. Split Screen Effects
Split screen effects are a great way to add depth and interest to your video content. They can also be used to show cause and effect or illustrate how one thing relates to another.
The classic use of split screen is showing two scenes happening simultaneously, often to highlight dialogue between two characters. This technique is particularly popular in phone conversations (as exemplified by many Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies) and even made its way into television in shows like the sitcom That ’70s Show, Nickelodeon teen series Drake & Josh and USA network series 24.
In more modern times, the technique has become especially popular in TV news and newscasts. Sports coverage frequently uses it to show both participants in a race at the same time and cable shows regularly feature interviews conducted in split screen.
10. Clean Code
Clean code is a web design trend that involves creating websites that use code organized in an effective way. This approach reduces the amount of clutter on a page and improves the speed at which the website loads.
Another key aspect of clean code is using a proper class naming system. This ensures that each element is correctly categorized, and it helps developers write better documentation.
Lastly, clean code also involves implementing a test-driven development (TDD) process and using a framework like Webflow. This tool provides designers and developers with an end-to-end development framework that helps them build production-ready websites and high-fidelity prototypes without writing a single line of code.
2023 is bringing back bold colors, fluid shapes and other elements that are both eye-catching and tactile. It’s important to incorporate these trends into your designs in order to create a more modern, user-friendly experience for your audience.