Over the past few months we have looked at a number of web site designs. But which of the developments and trends that we’ve seen will continue, which will go mainstream and become a classic approach? Here are some of the web design trends that DDA think designers are beginning to accept as standard approaches.
We visited single page portfolio designs in a previous DDA post on showcase and showreel sites but I felt it was important enough to include as a prediction for 2009 too, as I believe we will be seeing a lot more of these types of designs – not just restricted to portfolio sites.
Fabric and Textures
Adding texture to a web site is a simple way to add interest and depth to your design. Background images are the most common area of use but adding it to headers, footers, content areas, sidebars and even fonts can give a design the extra edge.
There’s a good tutorial here if you want to know more.
Retro & Vintage
Vintage design elements are becoming the ‘new thing’ in web design. Left out of digital design in preference of hi-tec glossy effects, retro is making a comeback. Used effectively it evokes a nostalgia that most find hard to resist.
Dynamic Tabs
Dynamic Tabs are going to become a popular choice for multi tiered web sites in 2009. A tabbed area whos content can be changed dynamically will provide an area for promotion without the user having to load the whole page to find out it’s not what they’re looking for. Studio Bananas demonstrates this perfectly with their site.
