Are you searching for the best 2017 web design trends? If so, we’ve got quite a list for you! It’s true, in order to be the best, you’ve got to learn the best techniques. The New Year is right around the corner, meaning if you want you and/or your company to be successful, then it’s time to get to work! These trends will not only help you declare yourself as a cool, hip professional, but they’ll also help you standout from the competition. What do you say? Are you ready to start designing?
IT’S ALL ABOUT MOBILE
It shouldn’t be that hard of a concept to swallow: everything (and one) is mobile these days. From smartphones to iPads, if you want your business to grow, then you need to be mobile-friendly. It doesn’t matter what you’re selling or what type of service you’re offering, if you’re not searchable via some sort of mobile device, you’ll never get ahead. Therefore, when it comes to web design, make sure the content is designed to fit on mobile and smaller screen devices first, followed by larger screen devices.
IS YOUR DESIGN RESPONSIVE?
Though responsive design isn’t necessarily a new tactic, it’s still one that needs to be delivered in 2017. It’s predicted that all brands in the New Year – both big and small – will have a bigger stake in responsive design tactics. Therefore, when considering those new designs, make sure to use CSS media queries and flexible grids/layouts to create a dynamic site that will easily adjust to content, no matter what type of device the content is displayed on. After all, if a viewer can’t properly read the site, they’re not going to stick around.
CHECK UI PATTERNS AND FRAMEWORK
More and more, UI and UX patterns are being seen across the web, allowing sites to look and function in a way that offers a better user experience. Simply put, the web is becoming more user-friendly each day, and your site should follow the same tactic. As you most likely already know, online competition is at an all-time high, and only continues to grow. You can’t afford to take big risks that could ultimately take users away from your site. Consider this idea: If a particular pattern or principle seems to be working for another site, then design your site to look and feel the same. When all else fails, just make your site as user-friendly as possible.
BE ORIGINAL
This tip may seem to be a little hypocritical, considering the advice above told you to mock the competition, if it’s working. However, there’s a way to do both. Yes, if a specific design seems to be successful, then utilize it. However, where you can be original is your content. When designing or crafting your content, make it as original as possible. Believe it or not, content is still king – and will continue to be king throughout 2017. You don’t want to bore your viewers. Therefore, give them something new and fresh to read and learn.
DON’T FORGET GRAPHICS
Content may be king, but viewers still like to look at illustrations or graphics. One of the best 2017 web design trends is infographics. Keep in mind, infographics don’t have to be too elaborate, but viewers prefer to see data in a way that is easily digested and memorable. These tools are also a perfect way to diversify content, and give the viewer a break from reading. Though content is king, it can still be overwhelming at times and needs support from its cousin visual content.
LET YOUR TYPOGRAPHY SHINE
If you’re searching for another power visual medium, then consider your site’s typography. Specifically, it’s imperative for your typography to not only evoke emotion, but also be formatted in a way that is bold, sharp, easy to read, and provokes the user to act. For 2017, expect to see an increase in size, with type becoming much fuller, and even filling the screen.
REAL PHOTOGRAPHY
We’ve already discussed the importance of images or graphics. When you use photography, it’s vital to use real or authentic photography. Stocks images fool no one, and viewers are sick and tired of seeing “fake” people, landscape, scenes, etc. Therefore, in the New Year, try to plan your images out ahead of time, which will allow you to capture real, vivid scenes that aren’t only more appealing, but will also entice the viewer to stick around on your site, versus finding a new one.
READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?
Before you know it, 2017 will be here. Therefore, you need to make sure you and your team are familiar with the 2017 web design trends. The key to success is being prepared, so give yourself time to not only learn these new tactics, but be comfortable executing them. After all, your site (i.e. your site’s design) says a lot about your company and business. What do you want yours to say about you?
