Web design is constantly evolving. Staying up to date with the latest trends is the mark of a good web design company in Melbourne and from a business perspective, signals to your customers that you are invested in your digital presence.
Like it or not, your website’s design says a lot about your company. A modern, engaging site built using responsive web design principles suggests that you’ve got your finger on the pulse and are open to innovation. An outdated company website signals you’re stuck in the past, and unlikely to consider new ways of doing things.
So, if your online image is important to you, here are the top UX and web design trends to keep an eye on in 2022.
Personalised experiences
Creating personalised online experiences involves walking a very fine line. Users like to feel that they’re understood but not being watched.
By collecting relevant data, designers and developers can structure sites in a way that will encourage visitors to further engage. The Netflix homepage is an excellent example of this. The streaming platform uses behavioural data (such as shows you have previously watched and rated) to recommend titles you might also enjoy. Your location is used to recommend films and TV shows that other viewers in your area are enjoying.
This type of personalised experience is removed enough to maintain a sense of privacy while adding actual value to the user experience.
Creative scrolling patterns
Websites are no longer static in nature. Users expect an interactive, live experience, tailored to their screen using responsive web design principles. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by implementing creative scrolling patterns.
Parallax scrolling, for example, involves having the background of a website move at a slower pace to the foreground. When users scroll through the site, it grants the impression of depth and movement.
Parallax scrolling won’t work for everyone. A government website, for example, needs to provide information in a very structured, upfront way. However, if you’re involved in any type of creative industry, consider exploring the different ways you can capitalise on this design feature.
Data visualisation
2022 is all about data. Businesses are looking for ways they can capture data and, more importantly, display it in a way that helps their clients make informed decisions.
While standard bar graphs still have a place, designers are hard at work coming up with new and innovative ways to present data in a way that is comprehensible and visually pleasing. Data doesn’t have to look boring — bright colours and soft shapes can help dress it up.
Interactivity also plays a big part in helping customers better understand raw numbers. Being able to click, tap, and swipe through charts increases engagement and can even make data fun!
Micro-interactions
Micro-interactions aim to bring a bit of life to your website or application. Despite their size, they can convey a big dose of emotion. These types of interactions usually aim to make you smile and they can also be used to guide the user journey.
An example of a micro-interaction is when you send someone a heart emoji on Facebook Messenger. Once your recipient opens up the message, their screen is filled with floating hearts.
Like many animations, micro-interactions must be used sparingly and in the right place to maximise their effect. They are also not the kind of design element that you just stick on at the end. Micro-interactions work best when they are well-planned and immersive in nature.
Creative cursors
Designers need to be particularly careful when playing around with cursors. They are an essential functional tool for a website. Experimentation may not be particularly well-received.
Having a creative cursor works best when it matches the style and tone of the rest of the website. If your website is particularly interactive, a cursor that changes size, shape, or colour as visitors hover over particular links and headings can add to the overall experience.
The most important thing is functionality. A cursor that drags or causes a split-second delay in navigation will break the design illusion and likely cause visitors to take their business elsewhere.
Accessibility
Accessibility is certainly not a trend. However, it’s a good point to end on as it’s a principle that should inform all decisions made by any web design company in Melbourne.
All people have a right to access information, services, and entertainment online. Unfortunately, design trends often reduce the ability of those with a visual, auditory, or physical disability to use the world wide web. Before you introduce any design element to your website, ensure it meets accessibility standards and test thoroughly with a diverse group of users.