Top 5 Web Design Trends of 2022 A (Declassified) Review

We all know the saying…

Time flies when you’re having fun. Especially when you’re in the thick of it. Now that we’re more than half into the year 2022, it’s about time to stop and smell the virtual roses of the digital space.

Let’s sit back and take a look at what’s trending on the Internet through the lens of Web design. After designing, developing, and delivering projects here at Third Wunder, we want to use our past experiences to share some knowledge, and a whole lotta love on the subject.

Here are some Web design trends to expand your horizons and increase your capacity to reach audiences.

1. (Re)defined nostalgia

Yes, photos and videos are very important. They can express a thousand words with just a single image… But a strong statement with the right typography can bring it to life.

Experimental typography and home pages without images are taking over.

Thumbnails to *“Sites of the day”* for the 1st week of July on awwwards.

You know a design is retro if you get the boogie fever. Vintage fonts influenced by the 70s and web design inspired by the 90s are now refined, and as a result, better than ever.

More specifically, a brutalist approach is reemerging. Its vintage touch has been all the rave lately, especially for website layouts. From your Instagram story ads, to a simple event one-pager, brutalist designs are everywhere.

You don’t always have to lean towards images for attention grabbers. There’s something about bold typography in contrast with vibrant colourways, shapes, sizes and formats that pull readers in and, if executed with an exceptional strategy, keeps them engaged.

Flecto, a rental business, uses a brutalist contrast to elevate their online presence. Their stark white and green colouring in geometric pop-up blocks, paired with bold, rounded type resembles a 90s puzzle video game.

A single click gives users the impression that they’ve unlocked a hidden level. It’s a powerful presentation, which transforms this 2D design into a (familiar) nostalgic memory.
Contrast is the key to an exceptional hero section. And considering brutalism’s range, the possibilities are endless. Besides, what better way to showcase your company’s assets than giving it a mind of its own?

2. Animation & movement

We’ve seen a lot of designs heavily influenced by former eras, but let’s flip the switch and come back to modernity. As we’ve referenced going through the motions on the Web, designs can also allow the text to move with you.

Text is the SuperAnti-Hero. It’s almost as though the contrasting balance of type with other (dis)harmonious elements of a layout creates the ultimate vigilante, a force to be reckoned with, saving us from the boredom of traditional designs.

Experimental typography and home pages without images are taking the Web over by storm. Whether it’s detailed fonts, pop-ups, or kinetic movement, there are variations for type presentations across the board.

*Typelab’s selection of fonts for purchase.*

Typographic moving image options are expanding at a rapid pace, so users can, quite literally, follow along with the text. Pages are so lively nowadays, that they directly interact with users actively scrolling and clicking through their sites. And although an interactive user experience is no stranger to us, it’s fascinating to see how the feature has evolved.

Check out Super16, for example. They’re a Copenhagen-based community of filmmakers that use artsy typography to show off their creative abilities. The site’s kinetic typography is striking, combining contrast and minimalism to build their logo together before our very eyes.

“Studies also show that humans’ ability to perceive and process visual stimuli, known as a temporal beat, varies from person to person. Some people are naturally capable of perceiving very quick visual movement or changes. But as we age our temporal beat slows, making it more difficult to process quick visual stimuli.”

One would argue it can be distracting to the brand’s core message, but there’s no denying that it can align with your brand image perfectly. This technique is useful for those who want to give their business a strong impression through artistic expression that doesn’t require a lot of busy features.

Motion typography, especially done in this way with a combination of different sophisticated elements, remains clean cut and still adds a whole lot of personality to your Web page.

3. Less is… more than enough

Haven’t you heard? Minimalism is the underdog.

Have a look at the way Monotonomo’s “breaking standards” by combining minimalism and maximalism on their homepage. Minimal design, bold text. White background, black font. As mentioned earlier, the typeface is the SuperAnti-Hero. It dominates the page, saving you from the hassle.

The Hero sections are meant to signify the standout pages of a website, providing the reader with the most important information to carry forward. For design minimalism, you’ve got to find the elements that are otherwise overlooked on a page, and highlight them.

Minimalist designs include linework, monochromatic colourways, a withdrawal of images, contrasting colours with clean typefaces and gender-neutral designs. Whitespace is another minimalist technique, signifying the negative space on a Web page. The vacant area guides the reader’s gaze to key elements, coined by designer Oli Gardner, as a tool for conversion-centered design.

“Whitespace gives your CTA some breathing room to allow it to stand out from the rest of your design.”
@oligardner

Your Web page doesn’t need to contain white to consider it “whitespace.” The minimal techniques in your layout is what causes readers to focus on your subject matter. It also doubles as an organizational tool to format the text blocks, margins, or spacing, and gives room to play with hidden colours, such as hovering over text and images.

Simplicity doesn’t necessarily mean boring. Sometimes simplicity is best, just think of Apple’s typical landing page. The key to effective Web design is when the result has the right balance of clear type, compelling illustrations, and clever format.

If you choose to go the minimal route, its ambiguity could intrigue the reader to learn more about your brand identity and, ultimately, buy your selling point. The minimal look is effective because it spotlights the brilliance behind every wireframe strategy. Web design is a sort of mastery, after all.

4. Gradients are bringing sexy back

Non-linear gradients started to take over during the Instagram rebrand back in 2016, don’t you remember the good ol’ magenta and blue? It was considered “scandalous,” yet six years later, these 2-colour gradients transformed into something more complex and, dare we say it, attractive.

Take a look at Reveal’s gradient effects above. They’re a B2B partnership platform, but the free membership is practically seducing you with colour.

You can install a mesh gradient plugin and customize the colour palette to your liking, depending on the project vision. Over 78k designers are using these plugins, if you still weren’t convinced by how trendy they are. And for good reason, they’re an attractive accessory that elevates any design layout.

Smooth textures are more futuristic, adding a grain adds texture and gives a more old-timey effect. Gradients moved from being in the background to be in the spotlight. Now, we can see them animated, with textures, or in text across any website.

5. Illustrations for connections

Every illustration tells a story, and with every story forms a connection.

Illustrations are a web design trend that contribute to a sense of community and belonging, the same way Upwork does on their website, as depicted above. Its central focus is in their universal header, a retro-inspired illustration depicting a genderless, diverse and inclusive cast. Connecting to all different demographics, non-conforming to social binaries.

As for Web design, don’t let this virtual medium fool you. Web illustrations are a captivating way to give your brand a chance to shine with creative integrity. Let the picture speak a thousand words to your audience. There are several ways to incorporate illustrations, such as freehand designs, creating customizable avatars, and using filters.

A notable mention is that Meta, Zuckerberg’s multiverse company, has recently popularized 3D/claymorphist styles on the everyday Web, with rendered avatars going full “meta.”

There are numerous styles to illustrate your designs that suit your content, brand message and target audience. Overall, it’s fun, stylish, and somehow maintains a flair of professionalism–all you need is a visual direction.

Where you fit in.

The Web’s democratization has cultivated a diverse and inclusive culture, interconnecting generations who are introducing this new era of design.

At this rate, we’re capable of reaching a wider range of individuals. The traditional rules and rigid boundaries are a thing of the past, which leaves plenty of room for design growth and opportunities living inside (and outside) of trends. And quite frankly, it’s comforting to see the progress.

Creativity is not only encouraged in Web design, but embraced. It allows a safe space for all–free of restraint for like minded individuals who, at the end of the day, just want to express themselves.

What are you waiting for? Get to know what’s out there. You’re bound to find a design that speaks to you and your brand, making you feel seen, heard, and maybe even represented.

Scott McCloud Making Comics about universality.

n need of design support?

Our Wunder team is available for all your UX & Design needs. It begins with a simple consultation to chat about the design concept for your brand, and a lot of active listening, to translate your brand vision to life.
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