Trends in 2008 for web design are still emerging. What seems to be consistent though is that the layouts are improving. Content is being presented far more clearly than ever before. As in the print world, it’s through the use of rigid grids. Yes you read that right: grids are making a comeback. Grid-oriented pages makes reading text and navigating a page much easier for the user and creates a more enjoyable experience. Designing to grids is not new and has always been a trusted tool in any traditional designers kit and improves the usability, especially on information-rich sites where delivering a large quantity of information is very important.
Another bonus of many grid designs is it can allow your content “room to breathe”. Less is more and when you are trying to create a cool and impactful design, using a minimalistic approach can do wonders for a brand. Many sites still look cluttered but by using the right elements and a simple structure you will end up with a website that communicates to the user clearly.
Ben Bush
Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Multimedia Trends
Whether or not it is indicative of a larger marketwide trend, we are definitely noticing a pattern in terms of what we are producing in the office.
Although not common, we used to be asked to produce entire sites in flash. This no longer happens (or at least, it no longer happens for externally facing ones – there are exceptions for intranets and applications, but more on the latter in a bit). Instead, it is becoming the domain of the microsite. In fact, we have been working on a couple of these microsites recently (one of which recently went live for Hi-Tec, complete with wooshy effects and sounds!). This is great for having a bit of life on your site, without the risks to rankings etc that are normally associated with flash only sites.
Another thing I have noticed a steady increase in is 3d. I have mentioned this before, and not as an attempt to encourage everyone to start requesting 3d online flash apps, but rather to point to a definite upwards trend. This has in part been sparked by the papervision library for flash, but in a broader sense seems to have been sparked by general demand. This is indicated by Adobe's announcement of support for simple 3d in the next version of flash.
On the subject of Adobe and announcements, they have recently made announcements (http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2008/05/01/adobe_open_access_protocols/) that should help in the development of multimedia apps for mobile phones. As the article mentions, there are also technologies such as JavaFX and Microsoft's Silverlight with an eye to mobile content. While most people don’t tend to associate the mobile with multimedia content, phones are becoming ever more capable of displaying it; any help in the propagation of multimedia content across the mobile format is welcome in my opinion. Another help would be cheaper mobile data bills, buts that’s another blog entirely!
Also covered in the above announcement is Air; and so we find ourselves back at what I touched on before - applications (It’s like I planned this or something!). Basically, Air can be considered as a flash player for the desktop (as opposed to a browser). This allows people to write applications using technology they are comfortable with for what is effectively a different target platform. Potentially it means that you can provide consumers with a desktop, offline hook-up to an online service. Now, this isn’t quite what I had touched on before – Air wasn’t ready when we were required to start the project in question. In our case, we are writing a C# application that acts a wrapper to a Flash / Flex application (by communicating with a database). However, the announcement does touch on the opening up of the player to better allow this kind of development.
This isn’t to say there is not more traditional multimedia being built – people still request video players / audio players. It does however suggest that the focus is always changing and evolving as people try to find the best way to deliver their message to the public.
Ps. – request more 3d…
Nick
Although not common, we used to be asked to produce entire sites in flash. This no longer happens (or at least, it no longer happens for externally facing ones – there are exceptions for intranets and applications, but more on the latter in a bit). Instead, it is becoming the domain of the microsite. In fact, we have been working on a couple of these microsites recently (one of which recently went live for Hi-Tec, complete with wooshy effects and sounds!). This is great for having a bit of life on your site, without the risks to rankings etc that are normally associated with flash only sites.
Another thing I have noticed a steady increase in is 3d. I have mentioned this before, and not as an attempt to encourage everyone to start requesting 3d online flash apps, but rather to point to a definite upwards trend. This has in part been sparked by the papervision library for flash, but in a broader sense seems to have been sparked by general demand. This is indicated by Adobe's announcement of support for simple 3d in the next version of flash.
On the subject of Adobe and announcements, they have recently made announcements (http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2008/05/01/adobe_open_access_protocols/) that should help in the development of multimedia apps for mobile phones. As the article mentions, there are also technologies such as JavaFX and Microsoft's Silverlight with an eye to mobile content. While most people don’t tend to associate the mobile with multimedia content, phones are becoming ever more capable of displaying it; any help in the propagation of multimedia content across the mobile format is welcome in my opinion. Another help would be cheaper mobile data bills, buts that’s another blog entirely!
Also covered in the above announcement is Air; and so we find ourselves back at what I touched on before - applications (It’s like I planned this or something!). Basically, Air can be considered as a flash player for the desktop (as opposed to a browser). This allows people to write applications using technology they are comfortable with for what is effectively a different target platform. Potentially it means that you can provide consumers with a desktop, offline hook-up to an online service. Now, this isn’t quite what I had touched on before – Air wasn’t ready when we were required to start the project in question. In our case, we are writing a C# application that acts a wrapper to a Flash / Flex application (by communicating with a database). However, the announcement does touch on the opening up of the player to better allow this kind of development.
This isn’t to say there is not more traditional multimedia being built – people still request video players / audio players. It does however suggest that the focus is always changing and evolving as people try to find the best way to deliver their message to the public.
Ps. – request more 3d…
Nick
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Top 10 design trends for 2008 (and not just for the web either!)
Another year brings another set of trends in the world of design and all things cool. Often, the web and the offline fashion trends show a lot of similarity, so we've put together our top ten design trends (on and offline) for 2008 - come back and check how accurate our predictions are at the end of the year!
The Top Ten
1. Illustration
In 2007 we saw elegant flowers and swirls, 2008 will bring geometric shapes. Graphic design will be more organic and strong in colour.
2. Web Design
Out with shiny buttons and gradients. Big fonts and simple graphic elements are the way forward.
3. Wall Art
Everywhere you go you will see wall art, my advice is to go for something that looks edgy and hand drawn.
4. Music
Pop is making a comeback! Out with Indie and Rock & Roll and in with Take That, although personally I think I’m gonna stick with what was cool last year ;-)
5. Colour
Whether it's the clothes you wear, the paint you put on your walls or the colour of your website - be brave, go with something bright and energetic - red, green or purple are good.
6. Typography
Once again go for something hand drawn, things don’t have to be neat and perfectly aligned like days of old.
7. Iconography
Simple, abstract shapes are the way forward. Try drawing them by hand and scanning them in, it will be a welcomed move from web 2.0 speech bubbles!
8. Get an iPod shuffle
If you don’t have one already then you may need to go and get one, they are small, easy to wear and look great.
9. Trainers
Retro is in and Gola is making a comeback! Canvas pumps are also cool although they do remind me of the plimsolls that we used to where for P.E as kids (cringe).
10. Accessories
Girls: Get a new bag - the bigger the better. Go for something bright too, yellow is cool.
Boys: Get a studded belt, hopefully 2008 will bring the return of wearing your jeans around your waist and not having them hanging below your boxers.
So, there you have it. Stick with these tips and you won't go far wrong - plus, you'll be one step ahead! If you don't mind not keeping one step ahead, then feel free to forward this article onto a friend!
Brett
The Top Ten
1. Illustration
In 2007 we saw elegant flowers and swirls, 2008 will bring geometric shapes. Graphic design will be more organic and strong in colour.
2. Web Design
Out with shiny buttons and gradients. Big fonts and simple graphic elements are the way forward.
3. Wall Art
Everywhere you go you will see wall art, my advice is to go for something that looks edgy and hand drawn.
4. Music
Pop is making a comeback! Out with Indie and Rock & Roll and in with Take That, although personally I think I’m gonna stick with what was cool last year ;-)
5. Colour
Whether it's the clothes you wear, the paint you put on your walls or the colour of your website - be brave, go with something bright and energetic - red, green or purple are good.
6. Typography
Once again go for something hand drawn, things don’t have to be neat and perfectly aligned like days of old.
7. Iconography
Simple, abstract shapes are the way forward. Try drawing them by hand and scanning them in, it will be a welcomed move from web 2.0 speech bubbles!
8. Get an iPod shuffle
If you don’t have one already then you may need to go and get one, they are small, easy to wear and look great.
9. Trainers
Retro is in and Gola is making a comeback! Canvas pumps are also cool although they do remind me of the plimsolls that we used to where for P.E as kids (cringe).
10. Accessories
Girls: Get a new bag - the bigger the better. Go for something bright too, yellow is cool.
Boys: Get a studded belt, hopefully 2008 will bring the return of wearing your jeans around your waist and not having them hanging below your boxers.
So, there you have it. Stick with these tips and you won't go far wrong - plus, you'll be one step ahead! If you don't mind not keeping one step ahead, then feel free to forward this article onto a friend!
Brett
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