Technology, internet, and an array of new tools have become available to us in 2021, making it the year of web design!

With Coronavirus forcing us to stay home more often, the silver lining for web designers as well as users has seen a sharp spike in the way in which we engage with content online. Web designers want to keep eyes on their websites for longer, and users are crying out to be engaged as they look to be served more unique and immersive user experiences.

If we didn’t already live in a digital age, well we do now. Faster internet and greater accessibility means there is no reason not to explore some new techniques to bring your website alive this year.

Check out these six website design trends that’ll shape the way we navigate the web.

1. Retro & Bold Type Fonts

Typography has always been at the forefront of edgy, character-driven movement that enables users, clients, and customers to distinguish a brand via selective fonts. Making a comeback in 2021 however, are retro fonts which is starting to trend in the web design space.

Vintage typography has gone through a resurgence, and no we aren’t talking about swirly fonts or bubble fonts. There is an artistry about it now, merging the old school with the new school to create something fresh rather than cliché. Think of 70s and 80s rock poster fonts polished with today’s hard-lined edges. Retro fonts are a great way to freshen your web design in 2021.

2. Muted Colours

Muted colours stem from grain-like colours. Natural, subdued, and straight to the point. The theory behind using muted colours is that it provides the perfect backdrop in web design for more hand-drawn, styled and illustrative websites where the focus remains fixed on those elements.

Muted colours are often forged from a lighter colour palette to ensure contrast of the elements in the foreground and allow for a slight distortion in the background to enhance the ‘live’ feel this style of web design allows for.

3. Illustration and Animation

As we referred to in the above, Illustration and Animation is taking off at the speed of light in web design in 2021 and with good reason. Traditionally, websites were made up of a few static images and text and in the past that was considered enough. Now as brands and companies look to position themselves in a more human-centric online world, Illustration and Animation is becoming the go-to mechanism to bridge the gap between business and customer.

Web design has evolved rapidly and so too have the mediums in which information is presented. Illustration and animation online not only separate your website from that of your competitors but similar to video production – it is unique content that is tailored to your needs. Quirky, fun, human-centric designs humanise your web design space and create a memorable experience for users.

4. Horizontal scrolling

We’re starting to get quite experimental in web design, which is why horizontal scrolling is starting to peep its head out from behind the proverbial web design door. Think of this style of web design like browsing through an art gallery. There is no correct way to browse a room inside a gallery, and as such the same theory applies in horizontal scrolling. The aim is to allow users an open-world experience, rather than pushing them in a certain manner. By using arrow buttons and clear labelling, users can create their own journey through your website, rather than via the traditional methods of a top-bar navigation.

Horizontal scrolling website rely on visual cues such as scroll options, hovers, and concise copy amplify the overall experience. Horizontal scrolling web design is a great option if you rely heavily on imagery and video and is a great way to showcase portfolio’s while integrating a unique blend of navigation.

5. 3D visuals

Technology has taken a rapid spike, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a new computer, tablet, or phone that doesn’t offer higher resolution screens and graphics cards. As such, web designers can be more playful in their web design builds knowing that their ideas can be supported with frequently used technology. No, this isn’t the blocky geo-cities type stuff that 3D once used to represent. We’re talking elements scattered throughout websites that appear so seamless in their placement that you could physically reach out and touch them. The key in this space, however, is ensuring your approach is minimalistic so the 3D visuals are the hero in the piece.

6. Multimedia experiences

Just like technology supports a greater experience in higher resolution screens and greater graphics – internet connections have taken the same route. As such, a web design trend tipped to really launch in 2021 will be multimedia experiences, allowing users to digest information visually. Multimedia experiences combine text, video, animation, and audio making for a knockout user experience. We’re talking motion with audio that allows for an immersive experience.

The sky is the limit with Multimedia experiences, just be sure to remain inclusive in this space for people with cognitive disorders. Clear audio, closed-captioned text, alt-text for images, and a hot tip – avoid autoplay! If you can execute multimedia on your website, whether it’s a presentation, an offer, a product launch, or even a hype reel – it’ll give your users a robust experience.

Thanks for reading!

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