Gradients and drop shadows were the name of 2004’s web design game. Everything from high-end corporate sites like Mac to upscale blogs such as designer Cameron Moll’s utilized, and are still utilizing, gradients, drop shadows and other “soft effects” in web design.
That look remains a winner, particularly at the corporate level, so if you have commercial clients who want to look modern but not too edgy, consider using some of the above described effects to help them look professional but not bland. Expect, however, a shift away from this in 2005, particularly by those who are design trend setters.
Two notable design trend predictions for 2005 include Forty Media’s, Web Design in 2005 and Adam Polselli’s 2005 Color Forecast. You’ll notice similarities in trend predictions in both of these articles, and they’re worth a second glance. The color predictions, in particular, are fascinating.
If you seek to spice up your own site or a client’s site in the coming year, consider looking outside of the design and web world for inspiration, especially for color choices. Spring fashions are a great stepping stone in finding new color schemes for your work. Check out both mid-range (i.e. Gap and Ann Taylor) stores as well as higher-priced designer duds at boutiques and department stores. The mid-range colors and styles will offer you a glimpse into fresh color trends, whereas items hot off the runways can serve as inspiration for more sophisticated and “rich” looking styles and schemes.
Still stuck on color ideas? Well Styled has a fantastic color scheme generator that gives an endless supply of harmoneous and varied schemes. Play around, and you’ll see what I mean. Color, though, needs to be used with care and with moderation, particularly if you aren’t schooled in color theory. Beginning web designers often make the mistake of using too many different colors that don’t work harmoneously, and the sites end up screaming “I’m less-than amateur.” Consider your client or project and how colors might convey the message most effectively. Unless you’re designing for a children’s museum site, for example, I wouldn’t recommend using bright purple with large florescent yellow and green accents. You’ll scare off 99% of your audience. A look at some of the web’s finest designers, including Jeffrey Zeldman’s firm Happy Cog reveals extremely judicious and well-thought-out uses of color. It is better to err on the side of restraint than flamboyancy when it comes to most commercial work, especially if you’re just getting started.
