Jan 21
Design Trends (Predictions) in 2010
As we are stepping in a new decade, I can foresee that web design in 2010 is going to be fun and filled with experimental works. With the new CSS3 and HTML5, designers and developers are trying to utilize the new features to create impressive designs. Sketchy and large background styles are fading out. Serif fonts and texturized background will be popular. Thanks to CSS3, we are going to see a lot of rounded corners, RGBA transparency, and drop shadows. With the rise of smart phones, mobile web design is going to pick up this year.
Serif Fonts
In the last decade, most web sites were designed in either Verdana or Arial (sans-serif fonts), but that is going to change in this new decade. Serif fonts will get more attention. Read this article to find out why: Next Serif Trend.
Big Headings
Big headings in header (as part of design interface) will gain more popularity in 2010.
Custom Font Embedding
As Typekit is expanding their font list and more free quality fonts are available (e.g. FontSquirrel, OpenType, and The League of MoveableType), I think more people will use custom font embedding in the coming year.
Texturized Background
The big background trend is going to be gradually out-of-date and be replaced with subtle and texturized (particularly the light noise) background.
Minimalist & Grid
Minimalist and grid designs are not today’s new. They have been popular for the past couple years and I think it will continue to grow in 2010. Check out my previous post for more minimalist sites.
CSS3 New Features
Although CSS3 is not fully supported by all browsers yet, but a lot of designers are experimenting with the new features such as: rounded corners, multi background images, multi-column, border images, and animation. The following sites show good implementation of CSS3’s new features with fallbacks. So, we will see more and more CSS experimental works.
CSS3 Animation
Neutron Creations’s blog uses webkit-transform to spin the circle graphics (view it with Mac Chrome or Safari). If your browser doesn’t support webkit-transform, it will just show the static circles.
Rounded Borders and Box Shadows
Border-radius and box-shadow are the most commonly used CSS3 properties.
Text Shadow
A lot of designers are using text shadow to add more depth to text.
RGBA & Opacity
RGBA makes setting background opacity easier. I think more designers are going to take advantage of this feature to create semi-transparent effect.
Mobile Design
Since the release of iPhonein 2007, everybody is talking about mobile design. Now with more smart phones that support full CSS and Javascript, mobile design is definitely going to be the future of web design. A lot of sites(ranging from design agencies to editorial sites to web apps) are offering a mobile version. Below are some great examples (screenshots are captured with iPhone).
Twitter Replies (follow me @nickla)
Below are some of the Twitter replies that I’ve received as I was brainstorming for this post. Thanks to everyone!
mattashwood:
Subtle textures. Light noise in the background, or light paper textures almost unnoticeable.
BigWaveDesign:
I think opacity with rgba will be seen more often like my new site http://bigwavedesign.co.uk
echtang:
Regarding 2010 trends, what about the multiscreens phenomenon? With the proliferation of smart phones, tablets and other devices, how are designers going to adopt Flash and other platforms to design for mobile devices?
sixrevisions:
I think (and hope) minimalist designs will become (even) more popular this year. Simple, elegant, classy, fast page response times.
bengie:
I think more HTML5 and CSS3 implementation instead of a trend like letterpress or glossy buttons (those were the days)
leftuppercorner:
I guess the preference for simplicity will continue in 2010. Maybe some professional looking monotone stuff with colorful details.
rappsodystudios:
we will probably see a move towards minimalism. Collage/handrawn design will calm down a bit.
honeydesign:
2010 predictions: super simple, clean designs. minimal. black and white (& gray).
chadengle:
I think large type and making design feel like an experience will continue to show up in 2010.
designlovr:
Even more fancy javascript effects, more CSS3 & HTML5 implementation, minimalistic web designs
aditgupta:
more designers switching to CSS3+HTML5, creative designs utilizing tools like processing.js, more focus on typography, minimalism
TrentWalton:
Bright, flat & (at times) semi-transparent colors
AmpDaily:
I think that 2010 will bring a lot (more) design elements that are actually coded (using CSS3), like box-shadows and text-shadows
chadMueller:
more jquery and more integration of social media in design
logobliss:
massive typography & less ie6 support!
DanHoyDesign:
definitely typography - likely see lots of wild experiments and then possibly a taming down to a handful of favorites…
asipahio:
I think curved corners will be a trend and people might try css3 animations don’t know if it would be a trend though.
mubashirbaweja:
simplicity and solid colours.
Conclusion
2010 is going to be a new adventure for web designers and developers. I and many people (from the Twitter replies) believe that, CSS3 is going to be wowing this year. If you haven’t checked out CSS3 and HTML5 yet, you should really look into it because they will change the way you design and code. You can take advantage of the new features to create cleaner and more efficient layout. For example, instead of writing extra div tags to display multiple background images, we can eliminate it with CSS3. Instead of writing <div id="header"> tag, we can simply write <header> in HTML5.
What do you think?
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Comments
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There are 143 comments (+Add)
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143 Drew Evans http://www.drewevans.co.uk
March 12th, 2010 at 8:35 am
At the time of writing, CSS3 is the next big thing. I agree that some trends appear because of the new freedom to do it, but just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s cool or trendy. I would place my bets of minimalist, clean, design. The past 4-5 years have been heavy with flourishes, hoolanders, splatters, abstract backgrounds etc. I would think a more reserved approach would be taken. Especially by companies as they redo their websites for the 3rd, 4th time.
I think we will also see a rise in more compact, lightweight websites. Tab systems, jquery, hidden elements. etc.
Good post, cheers.
142 Phluffy http://www.graymttr.com
March 12th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Great information! I’m looking forward to what 2010 will bring, but I think that this will certainly help set the tone.
141 Thomas Craig Consulting http://www.thomascraigconsulting.com
March 7th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Nice prediction, will be interesting to see a follow-up at the end of the year to see how accurate your predictions were.
140 fashionspk.com http://www.fashionspk.com
March 5th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog. Thanks
139 Lono http://www.lonocreative.com
February 28th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
keep it simple and yes serif fonts are in
138 v pills http://www.vprxx.com
February 27th, 2010 at 11:14 am
our web site, thank you very much for your site.
137 kamal http://mustafakamal.biz
February 24th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Great article. I wonder when will be the CSS3 fully supported by all browser
136 capsiplex http://www.capsiplexzayiflamahapi.net/
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
It is our goal to make the internet a better place for webmasters and consumers.
135 hiloki http://www.inkdesign.jp/
February 18th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Great post, thank you!
CSS3 Works are very fun.
I have introduced in this post in Japanese.
Can I use these website’s capture?
http://designblog.ecstudio.jp/htmlcss/2010-webdesign-trend.html
134 Van http://lazbit.com
February 15th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Great predictions! Can’t agree more with you.
Textured background all the way!