Web design is ever-changing; what could be trendy a few months ago may already be passé today. Because of this, businesses and organisations must be aware of the latest trends to ensure that their website will not look dated. This is especially important as today’s online users have more scrutinising eyes, and you best believe that they’re judging your website and your brand the moment they land on your homepage. 

So, what trends will you see for web design in 2021? Here are five of them:

The Return of Dark Themes

It seems like the use of dark hues for the background has made a return after so many years. Perhaps the reason is the popularity of dark mode in mobile phones in the last year or so. It may also have something to do with the sudden increase in most people’s screen time, where darker hues help prevent eye strain, especially when users are in a low-light environment.

But while the background gets darker, the contrasting colours used for fonts and other content should be carefully chosen because they’ll contribute to the “image” that your brand will have. For instance, the use of white or soft pastels against black can come across as classic and conservative, while going for neons just screams “bold”!

Going Organic With Shapes

If you think shapes do not play that big a role in web design, you are quite wrong. Organic shapes, in particular, are effective in helping a brand establish its unique identity online. Shapes can help guide the eye to the most important content on a particular page or make some elements on the page stand out from the rest.



Micro Interactions for a Major Impact

Don’t be misled by the use of the term “micro” here. There’s nothing minuscule about the impact that micro-interactions make on the users. They are what separates a great site from a basic one. Not only do micro-interactions make it easier for your website guests to interact with your website and navigate through the pages, but they also make the whole user experience more rewarding!

Improving Accessibility

Accessibility has been huge for several years now, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be in 2021. Accessibility is indeed one of the most significant contributing factors that make website design functional and more appealing. Just imagine your website being enjoyed by people with or without disabilities the way you intended them to – all the effort to incorporate accessibility in your design will indeed be worth it. Some of the design elements that can massively improve accessibility include the use of intense colour contrasts, using effective alt tags for all the images on the website, and adding focus indicators.



Incorporating Asymmetry

Asymmetry in web layout design is often perceived to be more natural and free. It can effectively create much-needed visual tension on a page that can catch the attention of your audience. While there’s nothing wrong with sticking to symmetrical layouts, the freedom of expression that comes with asymmetry is something that is still yet to be explored in website design!



Conclusion

At this point, you now know five trends for web design for 2021. Ever-changing trends aside, one thing that remains the same is that every design decision’s focus must achieve the right balance of functionality and aesthetics. Trends should only be there as a guide and not the sole factor to be considered. Remember that web design affects the website’s overall performance, so stick to what you believe will deliver what your audience wants while representing your brand well! 

Minotaur Digital can help you reinvent your website’s look and performance through reliable and robust web design. We can also help boost your online presence with our digital marketing services! Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services!