By F. Grami - TheExpert, UX/UI Engineer at SQUAD
7 web design trends in 2018
A new year has arrived, does that mean it's time to replace all our old and bad design habits?
The answer is yes! Eliminating our old design habits is always a good thing.
Outdated processes and techniques should always be replaced once you have a smarter and more innovative way to execute them.
One might ask, "By completely eliminating the old?" Indeed, if the web design trends of 2018 speak to us, it's because the "old" design trends of 2017 don't go as far as one might think.
Web design trends in 2018 have evolved significantly, driven by more advanced technology and more sophisticated user demands.
1-Vibrant colors
When Google created Material Design in 2014, it pushed the boundaries of what website designers could do up until that point, especially in terms of color.
Thanks to the success of Material Design and what designers have been able to achieve with bright colors in a controlled environment, 2018 gives designers the green light to experiment further and go even further.
Vibrant colors are perhaps the most important part of this trend, along with double exposure, gradients, and photo saturation.
2-Asymmetry and broken grid layout
One of the major changes in 2018 is the introduction of broken provisions.
The grid that we had always relied on to bring harmony and logic to our layouts has itself become a kind of constraint.
Personally, I anticipate an increase in the use of this layout because it creates a unique experience that stands out.
Traditional companies are generally not interested in this change, but major brands can afford to take risks and expect original ideas from their web designers.
3-Illustrations take center stage
One of the most interesting challenges in the world of design is selecting images, interface images, GIFs, and photography.
The first emphasizes the experience and functionality of the products, while the second tends to highlight the human aspect of the product.
In 2018, we see that the work of illustrators is taking on new importance. They are able to create personalized, tailor-made illustrations for any brand.
After years dominated by flat design and simple minimalism, adding illustrated touches to your site is a great way to inject a little personality, as these charming examples from Zingle and Crater Labs show.
This trend is ideal for companies with a cheerful and dynamic personality.
4-Serif is back
Serif fonts are back in style this year, adding warmth and character to the web. As storytelling and human connection become more popular in branding and commerce, serif fonts are a great way to add both elegance and sophistication to your work.
Often, you pair a sans serif font with a serif font if you are trying to convey an approachable corporate tone, but if you decide to go with a double serif, your readers will certainly get a sense of comfort from you.
5-Mobile first
Mobile app user interface design trends evolve according to user needs. However, this does not mean that user interface design trends for mobile apps in 2018 could not be predicted. After carefully analyzing user interface design trends and innovations over the past few years, we can identify some patterns and predict possible trends that will continue into 2018. Therefore, I will share with you the main trends for 2018.
Color gradients
In recent years, a growing number of designers have adopted color gradients in their design work when attempting to design logos, buttons, and backgrounds for mobile application interfaces.
Why? The answer is simple. Even when you choose a single color, you can still convey a rich sense of hierarchy and create a beautiful image by adding color gradients and different graphics.
Therefore, color gradients are not only popular in 2017, but will continue to be so in 2018.
Strong color, font contrast
A bold color or font contrast could also help create an excellent design to attract users' attention.
For example, adding fonts in different styles, types, sizes, or orders can also provide a sense of hierarchy and space. On the other hand, color in different styles also creates striking contrasts and makes entire designs more colorful and eye-catching.
Superimposed effects
Overlapping fonts, graphics, and colors can not only make designs more attractive and distinctive, but also create a sense of space. This is also why overlapping different elements of mobile applications has been widely used by designers in recent years.
Furthermore, in some cases, overlapping the same elements, combined with shadows, will also make the entire mobile app interface more fanciful and impressive.
Voice-activated interfaces
Voice-controlled interfaces for mobile apps simplify user operations. Just like using Siri, you can easily start or log in to a voice-controlled mobile app instead of clicking a button or entering a password. In 2017, most mobile apps with voice control services also became the most popular apps on the internet. Thus, voice-controlled mobile apps will also be popular in 2018.
With the exception of voice-activated interfaces, fingerprint-activated interfaces will play an important role in the design of mobile application interfaces in the future.
6-Videos and 3D effects
You have probably witnessed the rise of the video era over the past 5 years, and you can easily integrate this highly engaging medium into your website by using a video background or video strips. Using video or moving 3D elements is a great way to visually showcase your story, product, or service. For example, imagine how much more appealing a product would be if it were presented from different angles. You'll be sure to captivate your visitors right from the start.
7-Facebook
Although it could be argued that this is more of a digital marketing trend than a web design one, the fact remains that Facebook is becoming just as valuable, if not more so, for delivering all the content typically found on a company's website. This change cannot be ignored.
Facebook is striving to become a content destination, offering a platform for blogs, reviews, live chats with customers, and even live streams. In many cases, potential customers may discover a Facebook page before your company's website and without even clicking. They will simply call or message you and become an immediate lead.
