Here are our top 5 tips to stay ahead of the web design trends in 2020.
1. Dark Mode
Not only does it look extremely modern but Dark mode web designs are really easy on the eyes and allow colours and design elements to stand out more.
Commonly, it’s the most visually pleasing website trends that have practical beginnings. Dark mode themes prove more effective for OLED screens, which extends screenlife span and saves power; the fact that they look good is a major added advantage. Using Dark Mode can improve the visibility of other colours to make your web design be more engaging.
The Dark Mode trend fits in perfectly with the prevalent 2020 design trends that are seeing people use dark moody colour schemes matched with glowing neon not only online but throughout homes and office spaces. Keeping up with the trends and visually pleasing the user is half the battle.
See example below:
2. Website Load Time and Page Speed Are Key
One of the most important website standards is having a super fast load time. Quick load times have been an essential aspect in SEO for many years and it continues to be one of the most important things for websites to get well ranked and boost conversion rates.
Recent studies have shown that more than half of internet users expect a website to load fast, no more than three seconds after clicking the link. If it takes more than four seconds most people trying to enter the site will leave, which gives a bad user experience; making it unlikely that the user will ever click on your website link again.
It’s evident that website speed and load time have a critical impact on a businesses bottom line. Pinterest reduced perceived “wait times by 40%, and this increased search engine traffic and sign-ups by 15%.”
At Gekkoshot Digital, we focus on “conversion, conversion, conversions.” Website loading times are a standard metric we implement to ensure fantastic user experience.
Check out the example below of our quick website load time:
3. Colour Trends
The most up to date and in trend websites explore colour pallets, and every year there is a new colour trend on the web. Yellow was the colour in 2018, blue dominated in 2019 and 2020 the colour that’s proving popular is mint.
Graphic designers had predicted that online colour palettes would be more muted and natural in 2020 compared to 2019, and they were right. 2020 has seen the year of dark mode and businesses choosing more neutral colours.
Like 2019, gradients are proving just as popular in 2020 and designers are going depths when it comes to designing using gradients. As gradients cover a range of colours, you can reach a wide range of users with them.
Psychology of colour has played a major role within web design in 2020 so far, although it’s important that you research the psychology behind colours before giving Make sure that you research the psychology behind colors before generating a new color palette for your company. It’s important that your colors match your brand identity and values.
Some smaller trends within colors will likely continue from 2019 into 2020. It seems that:
- Soft, cool colors (blues, teals, and greys) = Information and backgrounds
- Bold, warm colors (reds, oranges, even greens, black) = Calls to action (CTAs)
See example below how at Gekkoshot we are using appropriate and in trend colour schemes throughout our website:
4. Hero Video Headers
The saying “show, and don’t tell” is a fundamental principle for good product design. So it’s evident that imagery plays a major role in visual design as it helps deliver the main concept in good time; and 2020 is being dominated by websites using video content through their sites.
The preference for static imagery to deliver the main concept is ending and high-speed connections make it easier for website designers to change their front page to a movie style experience. Over the past year more and more companies are using short video flips on their homepage to deliver messages quicker.
Using video content on your site makes the users experience more live and dynamic, making users engage and be more willing to spend time watching the clips. Videos can last a few seconds looped or be full-length preview clips with video within the hero section of the site.
5. 3D Design
Another fantastic and user friendly trend in 2020 is the use of 3D elements. The demand for 3D graphics in the gaming, movie and fashion industry has grown immensely in the past 6 months. More businesses are using 3D design to engage users and give them that ‘in real life’ shopping experience.
New trends are normally not new at all and they become more mainstream due to lowering the barriers to entry. 3D modelling has proved very expensive and out of reach of most designers but costs have dropped massively. More software tools have been released that make this design method more available for those who don’t have specialised 3D training.
As the price of 3D modelling has dropped, the popularity of brands choosing to use this method of design has exploded.
Well known sports brand Adidas gas implemented the use of 3d modelling, to showcase their new product release – Terrex – a high performance running shoe announced in April 2020. The 3D trainer model rotates slowly around the screen, and the user is able to navigate the site by scrolling and interacting with the model itself.
See example of Adidas below:
Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind how additions like this will affect loading times, particularly on mobile; but it’s exciting to see how this technology will continue to unfold in 2020.
To keep up with the changing demands of web design check out we can help you keep ahead of your competitors at Gekkoshot.
