Forget about the complicated flash animations, glittery titles and flashy designs. Web design in 2011 is not about beauty — it is about functionality. Trends for this year and future years consist of responsive web design, constant connection and virtual reality. Several factors contribute to these trends such as, simple color schemes, intuitive design, easily accessible information and fast response. Here are just a few of the most popular web trends found on websites today:

3-D:

You will see an increase in depth perception splashing on web pages in the coming years. This means, colors, images, graphic elements, and the like, will seem like they are jumping off the screen. It creates a visually pleasing and almost relaxing effect when done correctly. Because 3D technology has yet to reach the web (it’s only a matter of time) creating dimension on web pages is done by multiple layers and precise shadowing skills.

Simple and strong, this London based software company uses very realistic scenic images to play the role of the menu for the website. It creates the illusion of being in the website rather than sitting in a chair looking at a computer screen.

Simple color schemes:

Nothing portrays an honest, clean message more than a very simple color scheme, or a calming textured back drop. More often viewers will see websites with one to three primary colors for the site, with the addition of multiple variations of those colors. It can be both beautiful and easily accessible to use a harmonious color palette.

This Norway based fishing website has a very soothing, earthy color scheme to it. The page is made up of many shades of greens and yellows. The subtle changes in the value of green really brings out the personality in the company and the color itself. {Shameless plug} This awesome website was designed by HATHWAY. Just sayin.

Mobile ready:

Websites in 2011 must be accessible and equally strong on all sorts of mobile platforms: Iphones, Ipads, netbooks, smartphones, etc. It is not an easy task to create a website for a computer then easily transfer it to a tiny iphone screen while maintaining all the key design elements and detail. Thankfully CSS3 has developed the technology to allow the coding of a website to transform to the user’s viewing monitor size, whether that’s an iphone screen or a computer screen. In addition to this increase in various web applications, websites must keep in mind the increase in the touch screen technologies. For example, a really cool hover affect over menu items unfortunately will not translate to touchscreen.

This Nike Lab iphone web application demonstrates how a strong web design can translate from a big computer screen to a tiny iPhone screen. It is touch-screen friendly while at the same time maintaining the strong design elements found on the native home page on the computer.

Technology and design in 2011 is an exciting thing to watch.  For web design in Southern California, HATHWAY is ahead of the game creating beautiful and functional websites for desktop and mobile. Are you looking to redesign your website to stay current with design trends? Give us a call.

This Nike Lab iphone web application demonstrates how a strong web design can translate from a big computer screen to a tiny iPhone screen. It is touch-screen friendly while at the same time maintaining the strong design elements found on the native home page on the computer. Technology and design in 2011 is an exciting thing to watch. For web design in Southern California, HATHWAY is ahead of the game creating beautiful and functional websites for desktop and mobile. Are you looking to redesign your website to stay current with design trends? Give us a call.