Trends and Tendencies of web design

Over these years the internet has become a hub of over millions of websites. In the past few years alone there have been drastic changes in the way these sites are built and designed. This article aims at pointing out the current trends in web design. Styled and lightweight graphics. This year has seen websites use creatively styled logotypes and header which are bigger but compact and non-bulky when it comes to weight. This is to enable speedy download as time is a major search engine parameter. This design works well with a minimalistic approach as the graphics would then stand-out and attract the attention of the user while at the same time not making the website look loud or tacky. Styled graphics help users remember the website. Sketch web design. This trend seems to have caught-on this time. A number of websites that focus on a personal and original touch prefer such a design. Though it is unique, it requires considerable skill to make such a site deliver good results. The popularity of such websites seem to be on the rise and this year round we can expect to find many more. Tittle typography. Previously designers used to stick to a single font, but nowadays especially ever since Typekit has provided complementary trials for customizing fonts, it's easy for designers to write custom fonts into CSS . Google Web Fonts have also made customizing fonts easy. So now designers use different fonts, cases and sizes give hierarchy to the website as well as make it easy for visitors to get the whole gist of the website with a quick glance or scan. One page design. Such sites are usually personal sites like ads of products & services or business cards. They aim at focusing on the content and making it easy for the user to comprehend and use. A minimum of navigation which can not cause any confusion makes it easy for users.
Big images. Off lately big images seem to be replacing text and smaller ones. The idea is to attract the user’s attention. Often companies or website owners use the image of their mascots or any other graphic which either represents them or conveys some information to the visitor.
Intuitive / interactive web design. Though there has been a shift in the way flash has been used in the website, it is still used in a more creative and interactive manner to add to user engagement. However overdoing flash is not a good idea. A professional and interactive use of flash has been found to work well on the net.
Use of Modal windows. This is a major change and has been found to be very popular. With their clear and neat appearance Modal windows have replaced, irritating and annoying pop-ups. It’s a more subtle way of keeping the user focused and improving usability.
Minimalism. This trend seems to be here for the keeps. Such websites give an airy and spacious appearance while maintaining the focus on the key message of the website. Though these sites use a lot of white space; big fonts and bright colors help attract users and retain them, on the website.
Magazine lay-out. With more people shifting to the net for almost everything, even magazines have an internet version of their print copies. And obviously they try to make the design as close to the original as possible. Several websites seem to be following this trend as users are already familiar with the layout and would know how to use such sites and navigate around them.