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:

Let’s play the Name That Logo Game...

way too easy right? It’s because every one of these visual identities are composed of special features that are instantly recognizable to people. Whether it’s through the red and white of the Coca-Cola word mark or it’s the golden arches of the McDonald’s ‘M’ , these logos have their own exclusive character that helps make them instantly recognizable, creating a unique identity.

Logos should portray the business in a positive light and embody their mission, through simple text, a symbol or a combination of the two.

(...Don’t worry, this isn’t 1000 words.)

But just in case you are one of the few people who don’t know what infographics are, you need to read and enjoy this 417 word blog. To begin: Information Graphics (or more commonly spoken on the streets: Infographics) are visually graphic representations of information or data.

With thriving practices throughout California, Dr. Peter Muran and Dr. Sandy Muran of Longevity Healthcare, wanted a platform to promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle so they contacted HATHWAY for an interactive solution. Myhealth360.com, a subscription-based website launched earlier this week, offers engaging content and health solutions while putting integrative medicine at your fingertips.

If you’re like me, you’ve picked up a copy of a web design magazine, thinking you are so cool and so pro (“Look at me, fellow book store patrons, I’m a real web designer. I read web design magazines.”) and eventually find yourself lost, confused, and feeling like an amateur. What the hell is jQref? I’m supposed to already be fluent in HTML5? I can’t design for iPad, I don’t even have an iPad yet! Who am I? ...these may be thoughts that cross your mind.