Five Best Web Design Trend Predictions for 2016
April 26, 2016
We all know design is influenced by a whole lot of different factors, but none more than the inspiration and direction we find on the web.
Accessible and instant, one tends to lose track of what we can classify as ‘good’ design. A surefire way of determining what’s hot or not is to see the latest trends in web design and then interpreting these in your own design ‘voice’. After a bit of debate and interesting conversation, we’ve established that these are the coolest trends to look out for in 2016.
- Breathing Space
Negative and/or white space is an essential part of any good design. But used strategically, negative space can be a clever way to add deeper or double meaning to your designs, particularly for logo and branding projects. Or it can simply help give your composition a more minimal look.
2. Modern Retro (Flat Design)
As opposed to vintage or “old” retro — styles that draw from the early 1900s through the 60s — “modern” retro takes its stylistic influences from more recent decades, the late 1970s through the 90s. Think early PCs and video games, pixel art, and space themes: nerdy is the new cool.
Some examples: Google Material Design, Flat 2.0, Pixel Edition
3. Bright & Bold Colours
Fitting in with both 80s/90s styles and material design, vibrant hues should continue to prove popular picks into 2016.
Think Miami. Think Vice. Think Neon. Now we’re talking.
This trend would be a move away from the more muted, 1960s-inspired palettes to favour bright pastels, neons, and richer, more saturated colours. Pantone’s Spring 2016 Colour Report falls right in line with this prediction.
4. Geometric Design
Geometric shapes and patterns are a motif that aligns with some of the 80s-era trends we’ve already looked at. This one can be applied in all sorts of ways — as individual graphic elements, as backgrounds, as an illustrative technique.
Also keep an eye out for a style known as “low poly,” which got its start as a 3D modelling technique for video games. This angular, faceted look will continue to show up outside the gaming world, in web and print projects.
There are plenty of tutorials out there for creating a low-poly effect, either from scratch or taking a shortcut with using a tool. Or just pick up a selection of free low-poly textures to try out the trend the easy way.
5. Dramatic Typography
According to this trend, typography isn’t just for reading — it’s for making a statement. Look out for big, bold type that’s the centre of attention. You can create drama through size, but also through colour, texture, or arrangement.
And there we have it, our top five predicted trends for web design in 2016.
Happy designing!