{"id":33981,"date":"2021-01-29T10:15:39","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T09:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/?p=33981"},"modified":"2021-06-21T10:02:03","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T10:02:03","slug":"web-design-trends-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/blog\/web-design-trends-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Top Web Design Trends For 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In this article, I\u2019ll cover <strong>the biggest web design trends that\u2019ll boom in 2021<\/strong>. Should you use them all? Probably not. Too much trendiness may work for teenage fashionistas, but that\u2019s it. Should you use this list as a starting point to get inspired? Probably yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether we admit it or not, most of us focus on the visual aspect of things. Blame it on the Instaculture, our laziness, or anything else. But the truth is your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartinsights.com\/user-experience\/website-design\/what-is-the-importance-of-web-design-for-your-audience\/#:~:text=A%20well%2Ddesigned%20website%20can,navigate%20your%20website%20with%20ease.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"website\u2019s design matters (opens in a new tab)\">website\u2019s design matters<\/a>. It\u2019s your online presence\u2019s business card, so regardless of your business\u2019s type, branch, and potential clients, it\u2019s vital to keep it fresh, modern, and up to date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Web Design Trends: 2020 Roundup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we dive into 2021 web design trends, let\u2019s take a look at the 2020 review. The past year saw new tendencies such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>emphasis on typography and word-based design,<\/li><li>dynamic hero headers,<\/li><li>rounded shapes,<\/li><li>sliders,<\/li><li>full-width pages,<\/li><li>understated animations,<\/li><li>storytelling websites.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>How do these compare to 2021 predictions and directions in web design? Let\u2019s see!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2021 In Web Design Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This year\u2019s web design craze is in fact not that different from the last. In fact, <strong>most of the new tendencies may seem like continuations or natural descendants of 2020 movements<\/strong>. As the designers strive to give the best UX possible and <a href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/blog\/trends\/web-design-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2018seek new heights of realism, blending the digital and the ordinary like never before\u2019<\/a>, it\u2019s only reasonable to follow the same route as before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a list of 8 web design trends that are bound to be big this year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. More Fun Typography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing the 2020 trend, we\u2019ll see more surprising typography solutions. With letters perceived as decoration rather than just functionality, designers will also combine typography with another huge trend: animation for maximum attention catching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"838\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_typography.png\" alt=\"Typography is a strong web design trend for quite some time now. Florent Biffi website is a perfect example of this notion.\" class=\"wp-image-33982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_typography.png 838w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_typography-300x247.png 300w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_typography-768x633.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Big and bold typography, often superimposed on images, is not a total novelty, but it still <strong>brings surprise and showcases your creativity<\/strong>\u2026 as long as your users still understand your words and intention, that is. The \u2018grandma finds the internet\u2019 meme knows no mercy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The Parallax Effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you still just scrolling through the website content up and down like it\u2019s 1995? Let\u2019s kick things up a notch. Parallax scrolling brings <strong>a whole lot of interest<\/strong>, giving your users <strong>dynamics <\/strong>and <strong>depth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_parallax.mov\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When used subtly, this effect &#8211; which happens when the background of a webpage is perceived to be moving slower than the foreground, creating a 3D effect &#8211; can turn your website into a memorable one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Neumorphism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember when the flat design was all the rage? Extremely simple icons and block colors made us feel more confident with web navigation: they were easy to identify and looked more uniform. This fashion is behind us now. If you don\u2019t believe me, reach for your phone and take a look at the app icons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@artofofiare\/neumorphism-the-right-way-a-2020-design-trend-386e6a09040a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Neumorphism <\/a>is a design movement that<strong> turns flat icons back into realistic, 3D-like objects<\/strong> (remember the early 2010s trend when every button looked like it had a thousand layers of gradient and gloss on it? It was called skeumorphism, hence the 2021 \u2018neumorphism\u2019 name) and keeps them in line with <strong>the upcoming age of minimalist realism<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_Neumorphism-1440x1080.png\" alt=\"Neumorphism is one of the newest web design trends, however, it may look familiar.\" class=\"wp-image-34061\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Selective drop shadows, semi-flat colors, and digital embossing create a friendly, <strong>calm UI with depth and subtle contrasts<\/strong>. This design trend is like a cold compress for sore eyes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Bright Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with neumorphism getting the hype, it looks like <strong>bright colors aren\u2019t going anywhere<\/strong>. This will be an interesting battle to watch, as both trends have a strong fanbase. Not to mention that there\u2019s a whole lot of reasoning behind using bold hues.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_boldcolors.png\" alt=\"Bold colors are eye-catching and evoke emotions - see this Castor &amp; Pollux Group project website.\" class=\"wp-image-33983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_boldcolors.png 880w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_boldcolors-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_boldcolors-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who favor bright colors in web design argue that they work better for visually impaired users, bringing more contrast (you\u2019ll read more on that in #8). Also, they\u2019re <strong>great for CTAs<\/strong> and other elements that should <strong>catch the most attention<\/strong>, and they conjure stronger emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bold hues are also a crucial part of other big design trends such as brutalism or anti-design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Dark Mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/envato.com\/blog\/web-design-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Designers agree<\/a> that <strong>dark mode is soothing and calming<\/strong> both to the eye and the brain, allowing us to chill and <strong>focus on the website content<\/strong>. The latter actually gets another boost from dark design, as it increases contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re spending more and more time looking at screens, and that&#8217;s a fact. Blue light and eye strain being bad for us is another. We have to admit it: <strong>the ubiquitous whiteness of screen-based media is too much<\/strong> (and strains your precious battery life). Especially if you\u2019re checking your Instagram at 2:30 AM with no lights on. My eyes hurt already when I think about it \ud83d\ude28 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_darkmode2.png\" alt=\"Darkmode is another powerful trend in web design, with giants like Facebook and Instagram already using it.\" class=\"wp-image-34089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_darkmode2.png 880w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_darkmode2-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_darkmode2-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Giants such as Facebook already have a dark mode toggle, giving their users an option to <strong>customize their experience<\/strong> (yet another growing trend of the recent years!). This feature is also a <strong>sleek and ultra-modern look for your website<\/strong>, so if you\u2019re looking for an elegant color palette to try, consider a dark mode-inspired aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Minimalism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It seems that minimalism will rule this year\u2019s design. If you come back to any of the above trends, it\u2019s clear that they all meet in one point. <strong>Elegant, simple web design translates to more user focus and engagement<\/strong>, highlighting what your website is all about and <strong>directing your visitors right where you want them, <\/strong>with no distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignsTrend_minimalism.png\" alt=\"Our parent website, MPC, is staying within the current web design trends by showcasing a minimalist approach.\" class=\"wp-image-33984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignsTrend_minimalism.png 880w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignsTrend_minimalism-300x198.png 300w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignsTrend_minimalism-768x508.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, this type of web design is associated with a lot of white space, but with the recent shift away from light hues, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theedigital.com\/blog\/web-design-trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>websites are now expected to embrace <\/strong><\/a><strong>more colorful minimalism<\/strong>. Proving that minimalist design doesn\u2019t have to be boring, the use of colors also evokes emotions and <strong>distinguishes your website from an ocean of white<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minimal design is also easier to adapt for mobile devices, so it\u2019s a real win-win in terms of web design trends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. No-Code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re getting closer and closer to codeless websites. Tools such as <strong>Wix or Elementor open up the boundaries between developers, designers, and non-tech people, allowing everyone to create a no-fluff website.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_nocode.gif\" alt=\"Tech-free page builders let everyone create a website that doesn't even look that simple.\" class=\"wp-image-34063\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to build your online presence yourself, but don\u2019t know where to start, you couldn\u2019t be living in better times than 2021. There\u2019s plenty of page builders to choose from, and they\u2019re getting more powerful than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure which page builder will best suit your needs? Check out our comparative guides to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"WordPress &amp; Wix (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/blog\/wordpress-vs-wix\/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress &amp; Wix<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/blog\/wordpress-vs-drupal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Drupal (opens in a new tab)\">Drupal<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/blog\/beaver-builder-vs-elementor\/\">Beaver Builder &amp; Elementor<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Functionality, Inclusivity &amp; Accessibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>2021 will be yet another step towards optimizing websites in various ways, not limited to factors like load time and mobile-friendliness. The spotlight has now switched to <strong>answering the needs of people with disabilities<\/strong>. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/nyc-design\/inclusive-design-making-websites-accessible-to-everyone-e358a6d9b8b7#:~:text=Inclusive%20design%20and%20web%20accessibility,or%20not%20disabled%20at%20all.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"statistics (opens in a new tab)\">statistics<\/a>, 15% of the world&#8217;s population struggles with these problems, often feeling marginalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_inclusivity2.png\" alt=\"Inclusivity &amp; accessibility aren't just buzzwords - they're a direction that's here to stay.\" class=\"wp-image-34071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_inclusivity2.png 880w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_inclusivity2-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WebDesignTrends_inclusivity2-768x479.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, it\u2019s not rocket science to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skillsuccess.com\/courses\/design\/web-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">create a website<\/a> that\u2019s easy to navigate through for anyone. If you want to take simple steps towards inclusivity and accessibility, <strong>create a high-contrast design with big buttons and large typography, use functional alt tags for your images, and add labels and instructions to your form fields<\/strong>. It not only promotes inclusivity but also increases conversion. A relatable, straightforward copy will also help your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe that this one isn\u2019t really a web design trend, but <strong>something permanent for 2021 &amp; beyond<\/strong>! The importance of UX and website accessibility couldn\u2019t be overemphasized. That\u2019s why implementing solutions such as VUI isn\u2019t a fashion choice anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Web Design Trends For 2021: Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Looks like 2021 isn\u2019t going to be a total shift from 2020 trends, but rather their smooth extension. Chances are we won\u2019t be able to distinguish 2020 creations from 2021 ones (at least not that easily), but it\u2019s nice to see that some tendencies stick with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just to sum up, our predictions for 2021 hottest web design trends are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Fun typography,<\/li><li>Parallax effect,<\/li><li>Neumorphism,<\/li><li>Bold color palettes,<\/li><li>Dark mode,<\/li><li>Minimalism,<\/li><li>Codeless websites,<\/li><li>Increased functionality and inclusivity.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our top pick? If we were to choose just one trend to follow this year, we\u2019d advise you to <strong>hop on the accessibility train<\/strong>. It\u2019s fairly easy to implement, still leaves you a ton of room for showcasing your personality (not everyone is a fan of bright yellow, we get that), while <strong>putting you lightyears ahead of the competition<\/strong>, <strong>boosting your conversion rate<\/strong>, and <strong>opening your website to a wider-than-ever public<\/strong>.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning to do some designing this year? Find out which trends to follow for a modern &amp; fresh website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":34069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,30,90],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33981"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}