4 Website Trends to Adopt by 2012 (or before)
Like everything in life, web design trends come and go, and the only constant is change. Remember when Flash websites were a dream come true? As with all technology, the online world is defined to quick movements. Understanding what the days will bring is therefore deemed impossible. Design can be fickle, and it's future can’t be predicted. Or maybe it can...
We cannot tell the future, but if we had to, we would put our money on the following trends for 2012. Start considering them now before you are left behind:
1. Typography (fonts)
It was once a collection of sterile lines, a reliance on Roman lettering. Fonts were dull in their presentations and lacked any flare or coloring. All sites were shaped to standard choices; and there were no variations to see. New browsers and standards are challenging this, however..jpg)
Typography is changing. Dynamic choices are slowly finding their way to pages: line heights are being rearranged and shading has deepened. Designers are becoming aware of the true potential of their choices (and what impacts can be wrought by simply providing stronger fonts).
Possibly the most important aspect of this trend is that Google is getting involved...which is a good thing. Google Fonts opens the door to "hundreds of free, open-source fonts optimized for the web."
2. Simplified Layouts
In an effort to provide users with "quick access" to important data - pages turned in to cluttered messes. So now it's time to strip out all that excess and get down to the MOST important thing for your users to see.
3. Real Art
Stock photos are wonderful resources and certainly have their place. After all, if you can say something in a picture, then do it and forget the words. However, instead of that stock photo, hire a talented graphic designer to draw something unique, interesting and specific. This will add a touch of flare to your site and may fill your graphic needs better than a photo.
4. Social Connectivity
If you're not already GET ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER. If you're wondering what your competitors are doing, this is the answer. I just added a new client this week because a friend re-tweeted one of out tweets. This should be enough to motivate you to take the leap and get social!
