Web Design for the UK Market

Keeping up with the web design market is not easy. With the ever-changing tastes of clients and the modernisation of the Internet, web design trends are constantly changing. Knowing how to design a website and considering the future of design trends is necessary to keep up with modern site design and client need. Some of the current and most popular trends for web design in the UK market include:

·         Changing textures: Textures always make a good impression on a website, especially is used properly and in the right amount. Currently, the paper-like textures are quite popular, making the webpage look like a page in a notebook. Using real papers that are creased and given a natural “weathered” look is the best way to achieve this look. Scanning the papers into the computer then using CSS3 to code the highlights will help give the website a natural and down to earth feel to it.

·         Interactive designs or “Web 2.0”: Using the 2.0 interactive techniques, such as using medium or large icons instead of text in navigational menus, has become one of the most popular web design trends of 2010. Creating various objects or designs on a webpage coded with Flash, CSS or JavaScript can give the website an interactive flair while making the look and feel more modern. For example, if a client has a signage business and they want to represent that business on the Internet, coding various sizes of signs with the labels as the menu options and making them spin or indent when the user clicks on them can be a nice addition to a webpage.

·         Vintage: The patterns, colours and themes from the 1950’s and earlier decades have taken hold on webpages in recent months, making this type of web site design more popular than any other. The look and feel of a retro or vintage web page using colours such as browns, pinks and blues can give the website a modern, but “lived in” touch. Additionally, the classic “Pin-up-girl” has also made a comeback as well as old muscle cars worked into themes.

·         Simplicity: A minimalist design using simplistic icons and text is always a current trend in the web design business. Using neutral borders and white background or any other colour combination that does not overpower the website visitor is just enough to attract attention without overdoing it and making it seem as if the website is “trying too hard.” Using white space instead of an overpowering background is a good way to achieve this look and feel.

Doing the research is only the first step in producing the trendiest and most current designs. With the many choices that exist that are considered “current trends in web design,” it can be difficult to know which will work on what website. Ultimately, the final choice should be based on the type of business the website is representing and the target audience of that business then designing the trends around it. Keep in mind, what is current and trendy today might go out of style tomorrow or next week, but the web design created specifically for a target audience could start a trend on its own. Any web design that attracts visitors and produces sales is the goal.