Groupthink

Trends are everywhere.  Whether it is in fashion, home décor, or the web… we are constantly confronted with decisions to follow trends or to ignore them.  In the same way that interior wood paneling and bellbottoms once just looked and felt right, we ask that you try on these web trends for size:

1.    Wide Open Spaces – Negative space that is. A less is more approach has dominated web design with apple.com leading the way. A lack of clutter increases site usability by creating more space between content areas, navigation and images to guide the tracking of a user’s eye across the screen. This makes for quick and easy navigation and, not to mention, happy site visitors.

Cleverly done:
http://www.thefruit-box.co.uk/
http://iclicker.com/dnn/
http://apple.com

2.    The Big Type – Bigger is better when conveying the right message and creating visual hierarchy. More predominantly, web designers are choosing one statement, tagline or word that embodies the site message and inflating the size… literally. Often eCommerce sites are prone to use big type when announcing a new product or special sale. Size is not all that matters, the perfect font plays an equally important role in targeted site messaging.

Cleverly done:
http://www.bigomaha.com/
http://www.artist-in-design.de/

3.    Oversized Graphics – Large graphics and photos tell the story. Recently web designers utilize more space on the site with large, vibrant graphics and imagery to grab the attention of visitors and create a more memorable experience.  When prepping large graphics, don’t forget to compress images for optimal download.

Cleverly done:
http://baristaapp.com/
http://www.lacledegaskids.com/

4.    Layering with Transparency – Let it show through. Transparency in web design is used to gently separate one element from another without the harshness of an opaque shape. This style affect allows the interface to look more unified with a seamless integration of background images and content. It also provides dimension to the visual foreground / background relationship.  As browsers become more flexible, we expect to see this trend in wider use.

Cleverly done:
http://www.webdesigncompetition.com.au/
http://www.emseye.com/

5.    Presentation Carousels – Content in motion. It’s a great way to add a fresh, dynamic look to your site. But this trend has been around for a while. Now, carousels are the latest evolutionary step in motion content. Carousels rotate content vertically or horizontally triggered by two navigational arrows presenting more content, saving valuable screen real estate and avoiding unnecessary vertical scrolling. And it’s fun and interactive for your visitors.

Cleverly done:
http://www.purangy.com.br/#/home
http://www.kuhboom.com/
http://worldwide-classroom.com/

6.    Virtually Handmade – Add a personal touch to evoke that “made specially for you” feeling in site visitors. We are noticing an increased number of graphic approaches that bring a handmade and less synthetic feel to web design. Grunge, collage, scrapbook, retro, vintage and organic are common design elements that bring depth and texture to a site.

Cleverly done:
http://www.visitbritainrocks.ca/
http://www.bamboojuice.co.uk/

7.    Icons Galore – Small but effective. Tiny but direct. Icons can pack a powerful punch conveying a larger concept with one clean, concise graphic. Referred to as the “universal language,” icons are everywhere from street signs to your cell phone bridging the communication gap. And they are particularly useful on the web especially with the increased popularity of social media. These icons immediately broadcast your social networking presence to site visitors. (Learn more about Social Media in the “Modern Day ‘Prophet’- ability” article.)

Cleverly done:
http://ideafoundry.info/
http://mediatemple.com

8.    Light up the Foreground – Lightboxes are an effective design treatment typically used to focus the visitor’s attention on a particular content area. The beauty of a lightbox is that visitors remain on the same page, never leaving your site. The site recedes to the background while the lightbox pops-up over other page content allowing the visitor to maintain focus on your content / messaging. Lightboxes often feature their own navigational system creating elegance to browsing photo galleries or product details.

Cleverly done:
http://www.eurocort.ro/
http://www.target.com/

9.    Design with Usability in Mind – Site visitors often base what they consider “good” web design on how easy it is to find information. Effortless presentation of content can be a challenge but the emerging popularity of video allows designers to present detailed information in an attractive, engaging manner. Rich media is considered part of the design and it is seamlessly integrated into the interface. However, it is important to note that video is best used in moderation in order to make the biggest impact on site visitors. (Learn more about video in the “Video-Nation” article.)

Cleverly done:
http://www.hillwoodresidential.com/
http://squarefactor.com/

10.    Push the Limits – Don’t get boxed in. While there are effective ways to use conventional web design, let’s push it. Design is used to present information, convey a message and evoke emotion. The best designers are doing this in the most unexpected ways. The Web is a designer’s playground to experiment and showcase trends before they are ever considered trends.

Cleverly done:
http://www.roxaneonmeramec.com/
http://www.tekan.com.br/

Be a friend to trends!  Embracing trends that fit your business model can help you: get noticed, look smart and cutting edge and push you or your brand forward.  Trendspotting inspires innovation and allows others to test the waters for you.  There is no reason to always constantly get wet. You may choose to follow some trends, and for those you do not– you may even discover something new on your own path of resistance.

As well, being aware of the changing trends out there can inspire future trendsetting.  Why not be the first to try something new?   Whether it is with your web presence, or your corporate identity, thinking beyond the norm and experimenting with trends can provide opportunities to set your business apart.