Web Design Trends of 2011

In the past it was common to approach a new web design project with as much creativity as humanly possible, whilst trying to remain within the clients specification, ensuring that the design stood out from competitor websites. In today's marketplace however, just creating a visual masterpiece is not enough to make sure that clients and users alike are hooked from first sight.

Now in 2011, web design has become a more complex step in creating a modern website. Gone are the days where a beautiful design was enough, it's now more about function over style. A great website design will likely captivate a user for a few minutes at best, to truly draw users in, the design will need to create an experience that ensures they forget where the back button is located.

Let's look at some important trends for 2011...

1. Simple Colour Schemes - Pick a colour any colour! Try picking a primary colour, such as green, and base the websites scheme around that colour. Why not try using no more than 3 colours for your palette, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

2. Mobile Ready -We have all witnessed the boom in smartphones and tablets in 2010. Now, more than ever, it's becoming increasingly important to be aware of mobile devices when designing a website. Our Mobile Web Design article will provide more information on this hot topic.

3. Depth Perception -Ever thought of creating a 3D looking website design? Adding some real depth to a design can have remarkable results. Try creating a balance of foreground and background elements coupled with light sources and shadows on the design. It can provide a faux 3D effect, a great example can be found here, Jordan: History of Flight.

4. Large Photo Backgrounds -Large background images can truly make an instant impact with your users. A well suited image that fills the screen can instantly grab their attention, drawing an emotive response to what they see. Please remember to use images that are appropriate to the websites content and that it doesn't impact the readability of the text.

5. Different Fonts - Worrying about which fonts are websafe has become a thing of the past in recent months. Websites such as, Typekit, provide a complete library of hosted fonts. By simply adding a line of code (and possibly paying a few pounds per month), you can be using beautiful fonts throughout your website without having to think, 'Is it websafe?'.