Aug 6, 2024
Is designing for trends worth it?
Exploring whether it's beneficial to follow web design trends or focus on creating a unique, lasting brand identity.
by Karla Silvas
I recently started my own web design business. After working for several years as a full-time product designer, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a web designer. Over the years, I have immersed myself in every aspect of web design, from optimizing websites for search engines to understanding the psychology behind engaging designs.
The other day, while waiting for my PC to update, I found myself scrolling through Instagram and my attention went directly to a reel comparing web design trends from 2018 to 2024. This got me thinking: Is designing for trends really worth it?
The Evolution of Web Design Trends
In the early years of the internet, web design trends lasted for several years. For example, when we think of 1990s web design, cluttered pages with numerous images and hard-to-read text come to mind.
Similarly, the Y2K trend, which began around 1996, remained popular until about 2005.
Back then, the technology available for web design was quite limited compared to today's endless possibilities. As technology evolved, so did web design. Cleaner designs and grid systems were introduced, making it easier to code websites and respond to the increasing demand for mobile-friendly designs.
From 2010 to around 2018, we witnessed what I call the "shaping era." This period saw the rise of platforms like WordPress, and UI design became cleaner, more appealing, and user-friendly. By 2018, with a overabundance of tools available, web designers had more time to experiment with new design approaches, resulting in more interactive elements and motion on websites. I still remember when parallax scrolling was a must-have on every website; I even created a few using this effect on Wix.
The Shift to Micro-Trends
Then came the transformative years of 2019, 2020, and 2021. With more free time and increased connectivity, our perception of trends changed. Where trends used to last three to five years, they now seem to last only a year or even less.
So, how does this relate to web design? We now have yearly trends applied to web design and UI in general. A quick Google search for web design trends in 2022 and 2024 reveals around 24 trends per year, with only three overlapping. Some trends are similar but still differ from one another.
This brings me back to the question: Is it worth designing for trends?
Designing Beyond Trends
As a designer, creating according to current trends is exciting. It allows you to grow, experiment, and improve your craft. Trends also provide visibility, which is amazing. However, as an entrepreneur or business owner, is it practical to invest in a website that will only be trendy for a few months?
In the era of micro-trends, I believe that entrepreneurs and companies should focus more on how they want to be perceived. We should ask ourselves what story and values our brand wants to communicate and define who we want to connect with to create our unique narrative and style.
A distinctive design—one that isn't based purely on trends—can have a greater impact and stay in users' minds longer than a generic, trendy design that blends in with millions of others. By finding our unique aesthetic and voice, we can make our brands stand out from the crowd.
References
Web Design Museum. (n.d.). Web Design Museum - Discover old websites, apps and software. https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/
Version Museum: A visual history of your favorite technology. (n.d.). Version Museum. https://www.versionmuseum.com/
The history of user interfaces. (n.d.). https://history.user-interface.io/
"The Decade of Design”: How 10 years transformed design’s role in tech | Figma Blog. (2019, December 16). Figma. https://www.figma.com/blog/the-rise-of-ux-ui-design-a-decade-in-reflection/
Reid, D. R. (n.d.). The world is our interface: The evolution of UI design. Toptal Designers. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/touch-the-world-is-our-interface
Pana, G. (2024, March 20). The history of UI UX Design. https://www.uinkits.com/blog-post/the-history-of-ui-ux-design
Kung, M. (2020b, September 9). UI Design trends through the Years. Information Visualization. https://studentwork.prattsi.org/infovis/labs/ui-design-trends-through-the-years/
Geo, M. (2022, August 6). Inspiring UI styles and trends through the years - Bootcamp. Medium. https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/inspiring-ui-styles-and-trends-through-the-years-de081c110539
DesignerUp. (2024, January 2). 6.5 of the most popular UI design trends and styles explained. https://designerup.co/blog/here-are-6-5-of-the-most-popular-ui-design-trends-and-how-to-design-them/
Dazzler Productions SA de CV. (2023, June 9). Web Design Trends for 2010. WDD. https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/05/web-design-trends-for-2010/
Coleman, A. (2024, March 7). The evolution of web design trends through the ages. Amigo Studios. https://www.amigostudios.co/blog/from-web-1-to-web-3-the-evolution-of-web-design-trends-through-the-ages
Bergh, K. (2020, February 4). Web design trends of the 2010s. TinyFrog Technologies. https://tinyfrog.com/web-design-trends-of-the-2010s/
