Popular Web Design Trends of 2019

Modern web design is like removing weeds in the yard you're always slightly behind.

Rapidly changing website technologies can't keep up with today's web users whose behaviours are becoming more and more unpredictable.

We're not even halfway through 2019, and web developers are already whacking web design features from just last year out, planting new web design trends that are bold and fresh.

Here are some of the more innovative web design trends to keep an eye on for the rest of the year.

Organic Shapes

The majority of web pages you find are set up in systemic, grid-fashion, which up until now both web designers and programmers agreed upon.

Now, web designers are irking their website building counterparts by incorporating natural shapes and smooth lines in their designs, which are trickier to develop and program compared to grids.

Though squares, rectangles, triangles, and other pointy shapes evoke a sense of stability, the people of 2019 demand accessibility and comfort. The imperfect and asymmetrical organic shapes web designers are incorporating in their website designs makes page elements feel more human and alive through illusionary 'movement'.

Related: Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2019

Minimalism

Web users are dumb.

Wait, bad start. Let's try again:

Web users other than yourself are dumb. (That's better.)

So, the less we make them think, the better it is for everyone you can get your messages across, and they won't get lost in the process.

Minimalist design caters to the masses, a timeless design principle that's growing in popularity from interior design (thanks, Marie Kondo) to web design. Distracting, frivolous page elements that add nothing but aesthetics are being removed, allowing white space, contrast, and clear typography to shine.

Incorporating simple web design elements that keep everything clean and simple makes it easier for web designers to guide users towards exactly what they're looking for on a site.

Finger-Friendly Navigation

By now you know the importance of mobile-responsive web design, with mobile traffic heavily outweighing desktop. But it's not enough to be solely mobile-responsive websites need to be designed and built for a mobile, on-the-go experience. And that means finger-friendly navigation.

It's becoming so important that there's now literature on the topic. Josh Clark's book Designing for Touch delves into mobile phone use, how users hold their phone, their hand movements, and how web design can cater to these interactions.

You've probably already noticed some sites tailoring to that thumb navigation; if you've seen sites with the hamburger menu moved to the bottom, that's 2019 web design at work.

The Rise of Chatbots

Chatbots are nothing new, but 2019 may be the year they finally 'arrive'.

Most chatbot systems have been primitive at best. Now, with improved AI and machine learning, chatbots are more intelligent and efficient than ever.

You'll be seeing new-and-improved chatbots on websites near you, with advanced customization and smart answers. Some chatbots are even getting a mascot makeover, making them more personable and inviting on web pages (we think it's creepy, but whatever works).

If your web design is stuck in the dark ages of 2018, Bloomtools Canada's team of web designers, developers, and programmers can get your website up-to-date for 2019 and beyond. Contact us today for a free website consultation!