As a Web site development company, it’s our job to keep on top of the latest trends and determine what is worth passing on to our clients, or what may be simply a fad. Advances in technology have increased the color palette, made it easier to incorporate flash effects, and made links and buttons more appealing to use. Below, we’ll discuss some of the more worthwhile trends.
Site Margins
Seven to 10 years ago, Web sites were flush left in the browser window. About five years ago, the trend moved sites to the center. Now, we’re seeing more and more Web sites that take up the entire average-sized browser window. Called fluid design, in some cases these sites even scale up or down to the size of the window automatically.
If your site is still justified all the way to the left, you should at least move it to center. Better yet, consider creating a fluid design so that it fits the full size of the browser window.
Background colors have also changed from the trends seen seven to 10 years ago. In place of solid navy, blue, black, and dark green, we’re seeing softer and lighter colors, even white. The color palette has become more sophisticated, more varied.
For those sites that still use dark background, gradient color seems to be popular right now. Gradients make use of both light and dark shades of the same color. Gradient color can make objects and images three-dimensional instead of the usual flat, or two-dimensional, perspective.
Background images have also become quite popular. Some images are tiled, or repeated, throughout the entire background. Other sites have a single, large image in the background; many are so subtle, that at first glance you hardly notice them, but they can lend depth to an ordinarily simple Web site design.
Flash
Flash is definitely one of the hottest trends to-date. Advances in technology have made the use of flash more commonplace, as it’s now easier to create and experience. Designers are adding more videos, animation, and interactive components than ever before. Flash can make a simple site seem more dynamic, and add complexity to what may have previously seemed mundane.
Before (HTML)
After (Flash and HTML)
Rollover Effects
Rollover is a visual effect that, when a user’s mouse moves over an image, will switch between the original image and another. Created either in flash or HTML, rollover effects are used as links, images or buttons. There are a few types of rollover effects commonly used (which we won’t go into great detail about here), but the use of rollover can create animation-like effects that will focus a user’s attention and grant a more interactive experience.
Links and Buttons
Links to other sites, or other sections within the same site, were once underlined blue text. These dark blue, often bolded font, text links riddled sites as an unsightly distraction. Today, the trend is to change those unattractive links into photo images or illustrated graphics.
Buttons are also another big trend for linking users to one page from another. With the use of gradient color and highlighting effects, these buttons can look three-dimensional — almost as if your mouse could physically depress an actual button.
All of these trends can be easily incorporated into an existing site. If you like the look and functionality of your site, but want your site to stay current, call Curvine Web Solutions today. We can easily assist you in incorporating a few of the above trends to keep your site looking fresh and up-to-date.
