Joel Willis In the rapidly evolving sphere of digital design, 2016 marked a year of remarkable innovation and creativity. This article delves into the most influential design trends of that year, offering an in-depth look at how these styles and techniques have reshaped the approach to digital interfaces.
From captivating photography to dynamic video backgrounds, each element represents a leap in design thinking, with a focus on enhancing user experience and visual appeal.
Large, Beautiful, Realistic Photography
The power of visual perception in human interaction cannot be overstated, and in 2016, this was more evident than ever in digital design. The integration of large, high-quality, and realistic images emerged as a cornerstone in creating compelling digital environments. This trend transcended beyond mere aesthetics, influencing the way brands communicate their values and stories.
The adoption of community-driven photography platforms, such as Unsplash and Stocksy, introduced a more genuine and relatable visual language. This shift not only improved the authenticity of corporate identities but also enhanced the user’s engagement by offering a more realistic representation of products and services.
Strategies for Implementation:
- Prioritize high-quality, realistic images that represent your brand’s ethos;
- Organize custom photo shoots to capture unique images that tell your company’s story;
- When using stock images, select those that align closely with your brand’s message and avoid clichéd or overused visuals;
- Utilize case studies and real-life examples to visually communicate your impact and values.
Video & Animated Backgrounds
The year 2016 saw a significant increase in the use of video and animated backgrounds, transforming websites from static portals to dynamic storytelling platforms. This trend was fueled by the growing preference for visual content, with online video views reaching unprecedented levels. Videos and animations offer an immersive experience, allowing brands to convey their message and values in an engaging, memorable manner. However, it’s crucial to balance the use of these elements to ensure they complement rather than overpower the content.
Key Considerations:
- Use video montages strategically to enhance the user experience without causing distractions;
- Ensure all video content is aligned with your brand’s identity and message;
- Be cautious with stock videos to maintain authenticity;
- For complex concepts, consider using infographics or animations for clearer communication.
Grid-Based Web Design
Responsive design’s dominance continued in 2016, with an increasing number of users accessing content via mobile devices. This trend led to the rise of grid-based, or modular, design. This approach, often manifested as card or tile layouts, offers a streamlined, organized way to present content.
It’s particularly effective for creating flexible layouts that adapt seamlessly across various screen sizes, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience. Modular design emphasizes the division of content into distinct, scalable modules, allowing for greater design flexibility and ease of navigation.
Getting Started with Modular Design:
- Identify the top 10 priority pages on your site and rank them based on their importance;
- Select visual elements, like photos or icons, that accurately represent the content of each page;
- Collaborate with design professionals to create a cohesive, modular layout;
- Focus on creating a user-friendly hierarchy that guides visitors through your content effectively.
Material/Flat Design Principles in Digital Interfaces
Material and flat designs have revolutionized the digital interface landscape. Flat design, with its emphasis on minimalism, employs straightforward elements, legible typography, and bold colors, prioritizing content clarity. This approach eschews embellishments like drop shadows and textures, offering a sleek, user-friendly interface.
In contrast, Material design, a concept introduced by Google, builds on flat design principles but incorporates subtle shadow effects and layers, providing a sense of depth. This approach aims to create a more tangible and intuitive user experience, focusing on usability and simplicity.
Both styles emphasize the importance of content and typography, ensuring that the user’s attention remains on the essential message.
Key Facts:
- 68% of designers believe flat design will remain relevant in the future;
- Material design combines flat design simplicity with subtle depth to enhance realism.
Considerations for Implementation:
- Ensure the color palette aligns with your brand identity and enhances user navigation;
- Prioritize typography as a key element to communicate effectively with minimal distractions;
- Consider professional copywriting services to craft content that stands out in a minimalist design.
Scrolling Digital Layouts
The transition from traditional ‘above the fold’ layouts to scrolling designs reflects the evolving nature of web browsing, particularly on mobile devices. Scrolling interfaces have gained popularity due to their ease of use on touch screens and the convenience of consuming content without the need for multiple page loads. This approach aligns with the step-by-step content consumption, making it more digestible and intuitive for users.
Insightful Data:
- Research by Chartbeat showed that 66% of attention on a media page is spent below the fold.
Guidance for Service Firms:
- Consider a long-scrolling homepage to introduce core brand values and culture succinctly;
- Use the homepage as a summary to differentiate your firm and guide users to more detailed interior content.
Interactive Elements in Design
In 2016, the integration of interactive elements into digital interfaces has become increasingly significant. This trend focuses on creating a dynamic user experience, where engagement is not just about viewing content but interacting with it.
Key Elements:
- Hover animations: Enhance user engagement by revealing additional information or visual changes;
- Micro-interactions: Small, functional animations that provide feedback or guide the user;
- Dynamic menus: Menus that change or adapt based on user interaction, providing a tailored experience.
Accessibility in Design
Accessibility in digital design is not just a trend but a necessity. In 2016, designing for a wide range of users, including those with disabilities, has become a focal point. This includes creating interfaces that are navigable and readable for all users, regardless of their abilities or the devices they use.
Essential Practices:
- Contrast and color choice: Ensure text and background contrasts are sufficient for readability;
- Keyboard navigation: Design for users who rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse;
- ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks: Use to define regions and roles in web content.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the pivotal design trends of 2016, it’s clear that the focus was on creating user-centric, accessible, and engaging digital environments. From the minimalist appeal of flat and material designs to the practicality of scrolling layouts, each trend represented a step forward in making digital content more accessible, intuitive, and engaging.
The incorporation of interactive elements and a heightened focus on accessibility underscored the industry’s commitment to inclusivity and user engagement. As these trends continue to evolve, they set a standard for future designs, emphasizing the importance of user experience in the digital realm.