8 Fresh and Creative Web Design Trends for 2021
2020 threw us all for a loop, bringing chaos and changes none of us saw coming. But now that 2021 is upon us, we’re all looking forward to brighter days ahead.
You’ll see more creativity, freedom, and meaning in web design this year. Throw out the old and bring in the new with these fresh web design trends for 2021.
Communicate with your audience while keeping your website visually interesting and modern. Check out these innovative design trends for 2021 and get inspired for your next re-design.
1. 3D Elements & Depth
3D Design – Campo Alle Comete
Goodbye, flat websites! 3D elements bring a web design to life, adding depth and dimension.
Combine 3D shapes and elements into an otherwise simple design with clean lines for a modern look. Or, enhance user experience (UX) using 3D elements in an interactive design.
Bring your audience into your world using a three-dimensional approach, showing off your products or content in a lifelike manner.
2. Dark Mode
Dark Mode – Johny Vino
Dark mode design uses a low-light user interface (UI), with primarily dark colors such as black.
Dark mode has practical benefits, like reducing eye strain and conserving the battery life of our devices. This makes it a great choice for certain mobile apps or streaming services (think Netflix) that you may be staring at for hours on end (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone).
Some designs allow you to toggle between light and dark mode. Jump on the dark mode trend if reducing eye-strain is a factor for your website or app, or if you’re looking to achieve a dramatic effect.
3. Illustrations
Illustration – Brand It Guru
Gone are the days of cluttering websites with dull stock images. Add visual interest in an eye-catching way by using illustrations as a part of your branding and web design in 2021.
Illustrations are great for businesses to express themselves in a relatable way. Use cute, funny, or unique illustrations to separate yourself from the crowd.
Cartoon illustrations, pencil sketches, and abstract art are just a few ways you can utilize this trend in your next design.
4. Collage
Collage – Broke Design
Make your website your canvas and your mouse your paintbrush with the new collage trend.
Forget boring websites. Add depth and visual interest by mixing different mediums such as illustrations, graphics, photos, and decorative fonts in a collage-like manner. Stretch your imagination: the possibilities are endless.
Motion and interactivity bring these designs to life even more.
5. Minimalism
Minimalism – Concept Studio
Minimalistic designs aren’t new, but many companies are going back to basics. This approach offers a clean design that’s not distracting and easy on the eyes.
Minimalism uses a flat approach with simple color palettes, basic shapes, and clean fonts.
Explore your creativity in different ways. While minimalism may only use a monochromatic color palette like black and white, many websites display an overall minimal look in all of their design choices.
6. Calm Color Combinations
Calm Color Combinations – Lois Jeans
Calm, muted color combinations are a popular, refreshing choice in web design for 2021. With the amount of screen-time we take on daily, a muted color palette is a nice break from all the noise.
Like dark mode or monochromatic colors, calm colors are also much easier on the eyes. Muted colors allow your customers to focus on what’s important: your content.
Colors like earth-tones, neutrals, and pastels are popular choices to bring a cleaner, more comfortable aesthetic to your website.
7. Interactive Design
Interactive Design – Boost
Interactive design is a unique way to convey a message to your audience. Many websites are using scrolling effects and motion to tell their customers a story.
Adding visual elements, like 3D shapes, that users can interact with, is great for UX. It can be time-consuming and costly to implement but is an excellent way to connect with your customers and bring them headfirst into your brand.
8. Parallax Scrolling
Parallax Scrolling – Tillamook
Parallax scrolling animations have been rising in popularity for years, but in 2021 you’ll see many with even more complex designs and creativity.
Parallax scrolling uses the technique of a slower-paced background against faster content and images in the foreground. This creates depth and a three-dimensional illusion while your visitors interact with the content.
Engage your audience in a visually interesting way using more than a simple image or video. Choose the most important elements in your website (whether that be text, images, videos, etc.) and make them stand out to your customers with parallax scrolling effects.
