There were 4.08 billion users of mobile phones around the world in 2012. By 2017, the mobile market will grow to 5.13 billion users globally. The latest statistics tell us that the most popular device after a PC for searching the web is a smartphone. 91 % of people use PC to browse the Internet, while the number of 80% of users who use a smartphone is rapidly growing.
Taking this statistical surveys into account, it does not come as a surprise that responsive web design has begun to equal web design in general. Having a website which automatically changes in order to accommodate any screen has become a must. The latest web design trends prove the necessity of responsive web design, as well.
Websites do not have luxury anymore of avoiding the latest trends. As the number of mobile users is increasing at high speed, the possibility that users will not visit your website once it does not provide them with the maximum user experience is a big price to pay.
The Beauty of Background Images
Full background images with only the handful of text on a homepage dominate the 2015 trends in web design. Why so many web designers use this method is the question having two answers. Firstly, simplicity is the key. A beautiful full background image related to a brand sums up your entire website. Secondly, the minimum of layouts means easier coding. Layouts do not need to change when a different device is used.
Additionally, professional high quality custom photography has pushed aside stock photography. The reason is simple, custom photography can better relate to the brand. A photo showing, for example, real people behind the company gives the website its uniqueness.
Parallax Scrolling
Mobile-centred browsing affects web design when it comes to scrolling, as well. Clicking is far more difficult on a smartphone than on a PC. This is not the only benefit of scrolling. Parallax technique has become immensely popular and everything points to the fact that it will stay that way in years to come.
Another important concept in web design, storytelling lends itself to parallax scrolling. This scrolling technique enables users to go through the story of your brand in interactive and interesting way. Furthermore, parallax scrolling offers 3D presentation of your products, as well. With this technique, users are in charge of browsing the website which makes them more open to its content. Having this benefits in mind, we can safely say that parallax scrolling is here to stay.
Flat Design
There is a clear connection between flat design and responsive web design. As an acclaimed web professionals over at domain.me claim, flat designed websites have faster load time due to minimalistic approach. Did you know that one in four people abandon a webpage if it takes more than four seconds to load?
Flat design makes sense. Rearranging layouts with flat icons goes much smoother, so it is not a surprise that this web design trend is one of the favourites. Clicking on a part of text is much more difficult than clicking on a clear bright icon, which is another reason why responsive flat design is so popular.
According to the flat design theory, additional ornamental elements does not have any purpose in user experience. User-friendliness is the ultimate goal of flat design. However, minimalism does not mean a boring webpage. Bright and interesting illustrations attract users’ attention more effectively than you might think. Adaptability of flat design to responsive environment makes this web design technique one of the greatest trend of 2015.
Card-based Design
One of the easiest way for content to be arranged on different types and sizes of screen is if it is presented via cards. No more content linking, cards are definitely future of web design. Everyone is using cards, from Pinterest as one of the first card-based websites to Twitter, Facebook and Google. The abovementioned storytelling concept can be created easier with cards. Each card is one story.
There are no details, just the basic information a user need. And they are not boring. Adding animation and multimedia content is a great way to present any content in straightforward, yet interesting way.
Both visual and pragmatic reasons lead us to believe that these four web design techniques are the future of web design.