Over the years, the internet has evolved into a massive information system, which is evident in the design inventions that have over time altered the appearance of the world wide web. The smartphone revolution has caused web designers to reevaluate radically their approach towards it. Today, they are now expected to display the internet on the smallest screen without suppressing profitable information.

The 9 web design trends which give a glance of what the future internet will look like are as follows:

1. Parallax animation

Over the years, we’ve noticed the increasing popularity of web-based animation trends, ranging from micro-interactions to particle backgrounds. This year (2021), web animations are becoming trickier through the detachment of page elements into background and foreground extremes, generating a parallax effect. Parallax is the optical illusion that occurs when objects that are near the viewer move faster than the objects that are farther away. The depth built through the use of background and foreground also added to the benefit of immersion, converting the computer screen into something similar to a theater stage. As users surf the web pages, they are pulled into its persuasive performance as if by magic.

2. Neumorphism

In the past few years, neumorphism has been gathering amazing traction, and there have been indications that it is going to be more in trend in 2021. Neumorphism is a design technique that integrates renderings of outdated materials into modern designs. This trend was replaced by the flat design, which simplified colors and icons in a way that was less realistic but more easily identifiable and uniform. Neumorphism symbolizes a merging of both trends, with designs that imitate physicality via selective drop shadows while being coated with semi-flat colors. Generally, the effect can be compared with digital debossing and embossing. It enables designers to redeem the tactile experience that was lost in the era of flat design, and this, in turn, has intensified the user’s connection to the design he is interacting with. Anticipate seeing this stylized realism on the buttons, text boxes, and search bars all across the digital designs platforms of 2021.

3. High-quality graphics with SVG (scalable vector graphics)

The SVG image format is not a new trend, but it comes with lots of benefits that are becoming valuable. The SVG image format has a small file size and is flexibly scalable. The very feature that makes it a web design trend in 2021 is that it can be formatted with CSS (cascading style sheets). Since it (SVG) is practically an XML file format, the source code (and the graphics themselves) can be directly altered with the stylesheet language. This combination enables web designers to be able to integrate graphics onto their website that can even be changed directly by the user. Alternatively, you can find several ready-made vector graphics on the web (free and fee-based) or create the graphics yourself if it’s required.

4. Micro-interactions

The micro-interactions are a trend in UX (user experience) layout where assigned user interactions are supported by small animation effects. For example, it could be a like-button that makes a user’s smartphone vibrate when it’s been clicked on. For UX specialists such as Dan Saffer, these are the factors that define the user experience.

5. Abstract art compositions

Abstract shapes, particularly those containing geometric primitives like circles and squares, can come across as simple, restrictive, and minimalist. But in 2021, web designers are integrating them into complex, sprawling textures that emit freedom. These abstract art structures, in most cases, are taking the place of figure illustrations and stock photography. While the images of people can be included, they still evoke emotion even without them. They result in web pages that feel alive and expressive, even in the absence of human faces.

6. Scrolling transformations

When surfing through web pages, users are not only navigating the pages but are interacting. The physical actions of users flicking their fingers over the mouse causes a reaction on the screen. Interaction is a kind of participation, and when users are actively involved in events happening, there is a high possibility of them becoming interested and engaged.

One of the indirect forms of interaction is scrolling, and because of this, web designers in 2021 are working to increase the visual feedback users get during scrolling. This visual feedback ranges from complex animated transitions to full-color scheme changes to wholesale shifts in the layout. Web designers are making it possible that each scroll feels like a new page or a new website.

7. Comfortable color

Excess of anything can be harmful — there is a need for you to find a balance in all you do. The unnecessary usage of colors, excessively bright outlay, overly fancy fonts, and other design flourishes can be a minus point for your site and your hard work. So, web designers have taken the issue of color systems that are easier on the eyes into serious consideration.

As for the design trend in 2021, web designers will consider more colors outside the two extremes of light and dark colors. They are opting for the middle ground soft color palettes such as light pinks, warm browns, pastel blues, or wholesome greens. These do not only make website colors less crude, they naturally stimulate feelings of calmness and relaxation.

8. Dark mode and low light UX web design trends

The dark mode is one of the desirable web design trends for 2021. Night shift, dark mode, and other interfaces with low light options are trendy because they offer users a low contrast app or sites that are comfortable to look upon in low light environments.

The dark mode is very useful when you want to emphasize a specific type of content. Steam, Netflix, and Spotify are some websites with an interface designed in dark mode. Android, Apple, Twitter, and Instagram are some of the most prominent apps and services that offer dark mode.

9. Voice user interfaces (VUIs)

VUIs enable users to interact with a system via speech or voice commands. Examples of VUIs are virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

VUIs make it easy to take notes, search for information, and many more. Brands like Google, Android, and Apple execute this trend in their UI/UX design process. The voice-activated interface is an emerging trend that cannot be ignored.

Conclusion

There you have it — the biggest web design trends for 2021. These trends look set to blend the ordinary and digital like never before. They show that designers are focused more on realism rather than hi-tech fantasy.