University of New Hampshire, Department of Computer Science

Information Technology 502
, Intermediate Web Design

Spring 2024

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Design Template by Anonymous

Introduction

Overview

This presentation’s main point is to outline the evolution of trends in web design from the early 2000s to the present. It will first define the underlying topics in which we need to understand, such as what a trend is, why developers use them, and the difference between UI and UX trends. From this information, the timeline of evolution will become simpler to understand, and you will, hopefully, be able to understand how real life influences the trends developers use.

What is a Web Design Trend?

To begin, it's important to understand the definition of a trend. A trend, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, refers to, “...a general direction in which something is developing or changing.” With this definition in mind, we can focus on what a web design trend is. Global Media Insight defines a web design trend as, “...the latest practices in creating and improving web applications.” With both this and the previous definition in mind, we can see why trends are ever-changing. As the media and the technology we use to develop websites evolves, we will also notice an evolution in the trends being used.

A consumer of a website
A customer browsing a website. Courtesy of Wallis.io

Why are Trends Important?

Trends are important because they help developers to get their theme or message across effectively, depending on what garners the most interaction from the audience. Trends control how your users consume your site. The type of audience the developer serves will depend on what product they create and what trends they choose to use. As an example, if I designed a website for a karaoke coffee bar, I might use bright colors and bold typography to show that the coffee bar is informal and upbeat for a laid-back audience. If I designed a city’s official website, I would want to use a readable font with minimal distractions in the color palette to cater to a more professional audience.