With 2017 coming to an end, many of us are wondering what cool, new things we can expect to see in 2018 especially when it comes to the web. So, what can we expect?

Let’s just say, 2018 will be the year that flat designs take a back seat while past web trends make a comeback in a new and more interactive way!

• Goodbye flat designs and hello color gradients. Once extremely popular in the 90s/2000s, color gradients are returning, making imagery a little more interesting and the text a little more legible. Companies like Google are already incorporating this trend in their sites.
• Expect to see MORE micro-animations. Defined as small, preferably functional animations give the user more visual feedback. In other words, they are animated gif that can:
  • Reveal more information
  • Make transitions smoother
  • Notify users on changes and/or updates
  • Direct a user to a specific element/point on the screen

While we started seeing them a few years ago, you can expect to see a lot of more of these, fun interactive elements on sites.

• Videos are getting BIGGER- screen size. Just as micro-animations are taking a huge leap and gaining popularity, so are full screen beautiful videos like AirForce.com. This is due to Internet speed increasing, browser technology advancing, and the simplicity of capturing HD videos.
• A picture is worth a thousand words but an illustration is worth a whole lot more. Infographics can tell an entire story, visually and are very versatile. Some can be complex while others are quite simple and get a message across visually.
• Companies are moving away from cookie cutter designs. Just like homes, companies are coloring outside the lines, creating something more original. The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House microsite is a great example.
• Well-thought out typography was big in 2017 and it will continue in 2018! When designers and developers discovered that they no longer need to stick with Helvetica and Arial, web typography exploded. And it will continue. But, keep in mind that bad typography choices, on the other hand, are distracting and tend to call attention to themselves. It’s essential to make typography readable, understandable, and legible.

What design trends do you expect to see in 2018?