5 Inspiring Web Design Trends to Watch Out for in 2023
Posted on 31st January 2023
Web design trends are constantly changing. In the last five years or so, we’ve seen big headlines over full width headers, minimalism with lots of white space and responsive design really coming into its own. But what’s in store for web design over the next year? And are the latest trends worth tapping into, or are they likely to come and go faster than you can blink? Read on to find out.
1. Box borders
Having defined borders around some of the boxed sections on your website creates a clean impression and differentiates areas of content, which helps with user navigation. Take a look at Gumroad as an example. Those bold lines, coupled with this brand’s vibrant colours, make the website clear and easy to browse. The whole design also feels very 90s-inspired, which brings us to another trend…
2. Nostalgia
Some web designers are taking inspiration from the 90s and Y2K design, including pixel art and fonts, retro typeface use and neon colours. Other elements include asymmetrical layouts, warped images and a general playfulness vibe to the design (e.g., customised cursors).
3. Animated typography
Professional copywriting is one way to make the words on your website powerful. Impactful typeface is another. But the latest copy trend to keep in mind is making the words on your website move! Combining animation with typography can make your web copy more interactive and engaging. This trend is ideal for creative brands – PaperTiger is a brilliant example.
4. Inclusivity
Inclusive web design is all about making your website more accessible to different user perspectives. It aims to remove bias and assumptions so that visitors won’t feel excluded due to disability or impairment, demographic, sexuality or cultural background. Inclusive web designs, such as Salesforce, are adapted for screen readers, offer text magnification, have a logical page layout and may use gender-neutral colours.
5. Claymorphism
Claymorphism is a type of 3D modelling design created by blending light, pastel or vivid colours, big, rounded corners, a double inner shadow and an outer shadow. Check out Humans 3.0 as an example. It results in a fresh, interactive and friendly-looking aesthetic.
Should you follow the latest web design trends?
Web design trends come about because designers are always working hard to develop something fresh and original. It’s worth knowing about the latest trends and bearing them in mind for your website so you can create a design that feels current.
That said, your web design should always reflect your brand personality. Y2K nostalgia might not be the best trend to tap into if you’re a local plumbing business, for instance. And animated typography probably wouldn’t work for a dental clinic. Both these examples would probably need a more professional-looking, formal design. On the other hand, if you run a retro online sweet shop… a nostalgia aesthetic would be perfect!
Out of all the web design trends listed here, we feel inclusivity is the most important – this is no passing fad, and you can expect it to stick around far beyond 2023. Wondering if your current web design will stand the test of time? Contact us for a free website health check, and we’ll analyse the effectiveness of your site.
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