We already know the web design is and will continue to evolve, for as long as people spend time on the internet. But what’s been less clear is the direct impact that new technologies have had on the design of websites, both for entire layouts, as well as special designed landing pages.
But how is technology changing the way we view media? Everything from the devices that we are adopting, to the evolving platforms that go with our new devices. They are not only driving technology but the way we will be using them. Here are the specific advances that are giving rise to new web and graphic designs.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can mean many things to many different people. One thing that is consistent among all opinions is that it is shaping the way we see technology every day. The way AI integrates with technologies ranging from mobile devices, automobiles, home entertainment centers, and much more.
But what does this mean for web design? It depends on the user because the point of artificial intelligence is to customize the technological experience for everyone, based on their individual habits. So if someone happens to favor a certain type of site format, such as scrolling, artificial intelligence will be able to offer a responsive option to view sites in different formats, to better appease users.
Virtual Reality
Brands are looking for new ways for users to experience them, like never before. To make this a possibility, brands will be altering web designs to fit the same feel. It all begins with how people are viewing content. From a television to desktop, to smartphone or tablet, we are now gravitating towards virtual reality, which will require headsets. The 360-degree view will enable more possibilities and more room for creativity. The future is definitely knocking on the door.
Take a second to think about how virtual reality will likely be utilized, once it is regularly ingrained in our daily culture. Think about a time when smartphones weren’t available in today’s capacity, this was a time when the internet was limited. Today, we have the power of thousands of libraries, archives, and entertainment mediums in the palms of our hands, which caused us to adapt accordingly. To the same effect, virtual reality will change the way we consume content, with top software enabling us to watch movies and play games. The same will be true for “surfing the internet”, which for all we know could essentially become a literal possibility in the future.
Mobile Design Trends
Mobile design is always changing, and rightfully so. This isn’t just for aesthetics, or even as a method for strengthening one’s brand. We’d like to use Amazon’s app as an example. Consumers tend to have a similar mindset when using an e-commerce app like Amazon.
The typical process includes “search for what they need, compare reviews (maybe look at additional reviews on Google), and buy. What makes Amazon so good with customer loyalty is the fact that you can sign in and enable the option to buy with one click. This design makes purchasing fast and simple, which increases sales and furthers customer loyalty. The golden “Buy” button has become somewhat of a trademark in the e-commerce world as the brand’s consistency has worked hand-and-hand with the shopping layout to build trust quickly.
Gaming/Entertainment Systems
Companies like Microsoft are integrating all of their systems and working towards a cohesive design to smoothen the transition between devices. For example, their latest computer operating system (Windows 10) has been readily available for consumer electronics such as desktops, laptops, their surface laptop, the Xbox, and much more. The designs of these different platforms are being implemented to encourage more brand loyalty. It’s a lot easier to for all of your devices to be integrated, so they want to encourage people being brand loyal.
Search Engines
We have already seen some design modifications as a result of the increasing popularity of search engines, and we see little evidence of this slowing down. While this will vary by industry, many websites will begin designing with “deep links” or specific product or information pages. Depending on their industry and digital marketing strategy, some websites prioritize these deep links because they draw more traffic. This is often the case when a brand has a product or service that dominates their business.
With these deep links dominating websites, brands will design their entire websites around directing traffic to said page and getting maximum conversions.
Search Engines have also changed the website traffic game. Users are stumbling upon new websites more than ever, and this process has become just as important as the devices they are using. Context is becoming everything in a world where companies are investing more in their brands and are utilizing creative to tell stories. This will also play a hand in the way businesses are designing their websites and mobile apps.
Social Networks
When we talk about branding, social media networks are at the top of the list in terms of overall impact. Every social post a company pushes out is not only an individual message but a planned and executed extension of their brand. The same is to be said for the campaigns that are run and the landing pages further perpetuate these messages. For the purpose of moving traffic down their marketing funnel and reminding potential customers of their messaging via remarketing campaigns, companies will design their website and landing pages around a single theme.
Looking to the Future
With all of this in front of us, we should ask ourselves – what’s next? What does the future hold for not only technology and web design, but for the way it could impact our daily lives? It is worth noting that design trends often shape the way we see the internet. From mobile design, to search engines and social networks, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, technology is shaping the way we see design.
