The latest innovations in custom web design Melbourne are empowering web designers to create unforgettable intuitive experiences for their visitors. Learn how to implement these trends to boost engagement, improve your SEO, and reach a wider audience.
Minimalism takes a new form in this trend, which is all about loud graphics and colors, expressive typography, and a strong visual point of view. Look at Lovers magazine’s massive ‘Join the Waitlist’ button or Powell-Studio’s in-your-face download buttons for inspiration.
Skeuomorphism
Skeuomorphism is a design technique that incorporates realistic elements into user interfaces, creating a familiar and intuitive experience. It is a trend that most designers ran away from in favor of flat design, but the limitations of this approach prompted a nuanced evolution called neumorphism, which reintroduces skeuomorphic elements in subtle ways.
While many users were new to digital platforms when skeuomorphism was popular, it eased the transition by grounding the interface in recognizable physical objects. For example, early icons used images of trash bins, folders and documents to make them instantly recognizable and easy for users to understand.
While skeuomorphism must be considered on a project-by-project basis, it can create an immersive and memorable experience for your visitors. For example, furniture brand Style Novels employs a skeuomorphic design on its homepage that uses scrolling to expose photos and information in an exciting way.
Glitter
For brands looking to stand out from the crowd, glitter, glitz, and other feminine aesthetics make a strong impression. This trend is particularly popular amongst Gen Z and millennials, with brands like Nike’s Seamoss Girlies, beauty products by Billie, and morning after pill brand Julie using the style to attract their target audience.
Adding a sense of fun to websites can create a unique user experience that makes it easier for visitors to connect with your company. One way to do this is by implementing micro-interactions. These are small animations that make a website more engaging by showing off your company’s unique visual style. They can include a logo that shakes after a wrong password is entered, an icon that briefly grows larger when clicked, or a progress bar that moves along as you scroll.
Parallax Scrolling
Using parallax scrolling to create layers that move at different speeds, designers can turn static web pages into interactive interfaces for storytelling or showing off stunning graphics in all their glory. It can be a challenging technique to use effectively, but if done well it can be incredibly captivating and engaging for users.
While it’s tempting to hide content or use gimmicky elements to entice users to scroll, be careful not to overwhelm your website visitors. They need to be able to navigate your site without getting confused or frustrated, which can lead to high bounce rates.
Creative agencies often use parallax to showcase their work. For example, the NIIKA hero image uses a series of abstract images that reveal themselves as you scroll, highlighting the agency’s services. Similarly, the Hana Knizova photography website features a long scroll of photos that both reveal and obscure themselves with subtle movement.
Pastel Palettes
Pastel colors are a great option for websites that need to be soothing, relaxing and user-friendly. They also work well with other popular website design trends, such as parallax scrolling, illustration and hand-written text.
Using a soft color palette is a great way to highlight your brand’s story and evoke a sense of nostalgia. Muted pinks, lilacs and easy yellows are perfect for lifestyle brands, food companies, beauty brands and eco-friendly brands.
For example, the Gentle Guide website opens with a beautiful, pastel orange gradient to create a soothing feeling and sets the tone for the rest of the site. The website features bespoke illustrations, cinemagraphs and hover animation to add a unique touch to the homepage.
Other brands like Honext use a soft mint green and pastel shades of grey to highlight their mission of creating sustainable building materials from cellulose waste. The navigation elements blend in seamlessly with the softer hues and don’t get in the way of the beautiful photography that highlights their work.
Maxed-Out Menus
In a bold take on ‘less is more,’ mega menus display navigation links in large typography. This trend is gaining popularity in personal and portfolio websites where visitors often have a specific purpose and need to find relevant information quickly.
Unlike traditional dropdown menus, which hide all of the options until users hover over parent items, mega menus allow users to visually compare choices and navigate efficiently. It is important to note, however, that mega menus should only contain useful links and not be used as an advertising space for your business.
Kinetic typography is another innovative web design trend that adds a sense of movement to your website. This trend uses a restricted color palette to create visual animations that convey emotions and engage your visitors. These animations can also be triggered by user actions, such as hovering or clicking. This type of microinteraction is ideal for generating engagement and enhancing comprehension and usability.
Monochrome
If you thought gradients were the height of web design trends, prepare to be blown away by the power of monochrome. Using a limited color palette, the designer can incorporate tints, shades, and tones to create an eye-catching effect on any page.
This trend allows form and texture to stand out more than with a simple, high-contrast color scheme. It also helps websites appear cleaner and more organized. In addition, it’s easier for visitors to process because there are no competing colors, and it’s an excellent choice for businesses with a large demographic of people who suffer from colorblindness.
Websites are getting cuter thanks to kawaii, an endearingly cute Japanese aesthetic. Think glittery, hyper-feminine graphics (see trendy agency for it-girl brands Seamoss Girlies) and visuals covered in hearts, bows, and butterflies.