What Will Websites Be Like Tomorrow?
In today's world, the line between technology and design is blurring. Trends in various fields flow from contemporary tendencies and technical innovations, which in turn influence design. "What can we expect in the future?" — shared Kirill Tagintsev, Head of the Design Studio at XDSOFT.
Kirill, what trends in interface and website design would you particularly like to highlight?
First and foremost, it’s animation and interactive elements. Recently, website design has been based on two pillars: UI and UX. Many people confuse these terms; for instance, there are numerous articles on Habr explaining what each means. In short, UX refers to user experience, while UI refers to user interface. The former involves planning and analyzing how visitors will perform actions while interacting with the interface, while the latter focuses on the visual representation of those actions. However, these concepts are closely intertwined. Therefore, adding animation and moving elements can not only enhance your project visually but also create interaction with users and make certain aspects easier to understand. A straightforward way to gather information on a site becomes more engaging, allowing users to see and comprehend what they are doing or how an icon functions on the page.
So, it establishes a connection with the page visitors?
Exactly. People are interested in seeing what happens when they hover their mouse over a specific element. It may seem predictable, yet it creates a sense of playfulness. However, it’s essential not to overdo it: avoid abrupt and unexpected movements, opting instead for smooth and gentle animations. These subtle micro-interactions can guide user actions, highlighting what deserves attention.
I believe we are moving beyond the separation of UI and UX; a new unified direction has emerged: UXD (User Experience Design).
At the core is the user, followed by their comfort, experience, and perception, with design coming later. It’s akin to a thoughtfully chosen gift for the user, where you first analyze their specific needs, pack it conveniently so they don’t have to think about how to use it, and finally present it in beautiful packaging.
I’ll show you some websites to illustrate what I mean:
Video Content
Video content remains popular. While it used to be just part of the page content, it is now often used as a fullscreen hero image in the background. The internet is filled with websites featuring a plethora of videos. I won't dwell on the quality, but the quantity is noteworthy—there's plenty! Videos have become a primary marketing tool, and everyone is trying to incorporate them into their sites to drive traffic.
How to Stand Out Amidst Video Saturation?
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Use High-Quality Videos: Ensure your videos look professional and avoid the amateurish feel of poorly shot footage. Make it visually appealing. For instance, one of my friends watched a series not because of the plot, but because of how it was shot. An excellent example of quality visuals can be found at Muller.
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Play with Contrasts: This classic formula still works. Make your video stand out in relation to other elements on the screen, such as overlaying text on the video in contrasting colors.
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Create Interactive Storytelling: Allow users to watch a video, scroll through related content, and experience an engaging narrative that keeps their attention, as seen here: Frontline.
Is 3D Possible in Website Design?
Absolutely! With creativity and a smart approach, 3D graphics can add depth and a modern touch to a relatively flat website. We refer to this as "pseudorealism." An example of effective 3D integration can be seen on this gaming site: Knife Game.
Parallax Effects
Parallax effects create an illusion of depth as the position of foreground objects changes relative to the background during scrolling. This technique is becoming more refined thanks to new technologies.
AR and VR Trends
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are separate trends gaining popularity, including in website design. I believe that in the next year or two, VR technologies will penetrate design more significantly. They have already made an impact in advertising—just look at Diesel's new fragrance campaign.
How Will VR Be Integrated into Websites?
I believe that VR on websites won’t require special devices; it will be integrated into UXD design interfaces. VR offers a more engaging experience than traditional animation, providing intuitive interactions connected to the real world. Check out what the Chinese company Xiaomi has done: Xiaomi VR.
Key Considerations for Website Creation
When creating websites, prioritize user comfort. Avoid dizzying movements and maintain a clear horizon line. Focus on the user, not just what you can create—people should quickly orient themselves within the space without mixing imaginative and realistic scenarios.
In conclusion, Kirill, what else should be considered when creating a website?
Make the design adaptive, avoid excessive text, and use images instead. Set the mood right away and emphasize the most important aspects by effectively utilizing video, carefully selecting details, and predicting user actions. You have the full width of the screen—why be stingy? You have all modern technologies at your disposal, so implement them! Don’t churn out identical template sites and expect clients to come to you; stay on trend while it’s fashionable!
