Web Design and the WordPress website builder – a special relationship
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A WordPress web design history
Those humans who’ve been navigating life for a few decades might recall “Happy Together” by The Turtles, an iconic song of the late 1960’s. The sentiment of “me and you, and you and me” perfectly reflects the intertwined relationship between web design and WordPress today. However, this relationship wasn’t always the case. Let’s take a quick turn through the history of web design, exploring its evolution alongside the development of WordPress, and uncovering how these two forces converged to become the powerful partnership as witnessed today.
The story of web design from 1991 when Tim Berners-Lee published the first site, http://info.cern.ch/ (1) all the way to today is extraordinary. The transformation of the web feels as if it’s been almost overnight. In comparison print starting in 1450 with the introduction of a functional Gutenberg printing machine took centuries to mature. Web design galloped through a couple of decades to reach an amazing level of sophistication. Some readers may remember those clunky websites with tables everywhere. Those were the days of dial-up internet and web design reflected that by making websites as lightweight as possible for quick download.
Today, things are a whole lot smoother – websites bend and flex to fit any device being used, and are packed with cool animations, videos, images and colours. For a view of how design is interpreting the web design space in 2024 visit the MaxiBlocks’ (2) library of pre-made website components and page templates. Alone the six breakpoints for responsive view places MaxiBlocks at the forefront of web design.
But web design isn’t just about how things look anymore. It’s about making sure visitors have a seamless experience. Think about those first cookie consent pop-ups that seemed to yell at website visitors? Now they’re just a normal part of browsing. The development of websites and web design has been incredible over such a short period of time.
Main trends in web design
Here are some interesting trends explored more fully in this article that have influenced web design. And a look at some of the technology that has been instrumental in adding momentum to where websites are now.
- From fancy buttons to flat design: This section explores how website design styles have changed to better suit user preferences. Remember those websites where everything looked like a physical object, like buttons that mimicked wood grain? That trend has faded away. Today, clean and simple designs are more popular.
- Mobile takes centre stage: This is most probably the shift that affected web design the most. Responsive design automatically adjusts website pages to fit screen sizes whether viewed on smartphone, tablet, computer or TVs. No more zooming in and out to read tiny text.
- Making websites user-friendly: In the past, websites could be confusing with navigation anything but clear to follow. Designers now use special techniques to make websites easier to use. This focus on “user experience” has completely transformed the way visitors interact with websites. It has also placed a much more important focus on making websites accessible. Not only is this benefitting disabled users but is also hugely important for the ageing population to easily access the information on websites.
- Democratising web design: the impact of WordPress: Prior to WordPress, a Content Management System (CMS), creating a website required technical knowledge of coding languages like HTML and CSS. This barrier limited web design to programmers and professionals. The focus by developers rather than designers was represented in the design of websites at the turn of the century.
- WordPress website builder emerged as a game-changer: Its user-friendly interface and extensive plugin ecosystem allowed anyone, regardless of technical background, to build and manage their own website. This accessibility sparked a surge in web design popularity, empowering individuals and businesses to establish an online presence without needing extensive coding expertise.
The start of the web design journey – late 1990’s early 2000s
This early period of web design from the late 1990’s and early 2000s was an important time for web design. While user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design were still in their infancy in fact mostly unheard of, significant progress was made. With large monitors and a standard resolution of 800×600, cartoon visuals dominated the web. Developers embraced new technologies like PHP3, HTML4, and CSS2, allowing websites to become more dynamic and text-light.
Design trends leaned towards smaller fonts, static pages, and a distinct design trend of gradients, dark backgrounds, funky fonts, and underlined menus. Images were used sparingly which made sense considering how slow the internet was at the time. However, the introduction of search bars and well-organised menus marked a major move forward. As internet speeds increased after 2001 designers could finally move beyond text-heavy layouts, paving the way for experimentation with subtle flash animations and even video content. Hello to Macromedia Flash which gave designers a tool to create some early web design magic.
The early 2000s witnessed a surge in social interaction online. 2002 to 2004 saw the rise of social media giants like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace forever changing the way people connected. This period also coincided with the peak of Flash animations. These interactive elements, while not always the most user-friendly by current standards, added a layer of animation and movement to websites by 2004. Interestingly, during this time, web design prioritised functionality over aesthetics. Readability and clear navigation were paramount, with less focus on visual elements like colour palettes, typography, and overall style.
However, a turning point arrived in 2004-2005. With the widespread adoption of high-resolution monitors boasting 17 million colours which was a huge leap from the previous standard, the web design landscape underwent a significant shift. This newfound ability to display a richer visual view introduced an era of “picture design.” Websites began to leverage the power of imagery, using photographs and illustrations more prominently.
This trend was further amplified by YouTube in 2005. This innovative platform not only revolutionised online video sharing, but also encouraged web designers to explore video as a powerful storytelling tool. The early days of video content were undoubtedly modest compared to today’s high-definition standards, but they marked the beginning of a new chapter in web design, paving the way for a more visually engaging online experience.
The evolution of web design in the mid-2000s wasn’t a clean break from the past. The dominance of Flash animations softened into a “caramel” style, characterised by glossy highlights, rounded shapes, and a more subtle use of shine. These elements, while undeniably dated by today’s standards, still occasionally pop up on websites, much like the “semi-flat” designs that emerged later in the decade. It seems that with every new design trend, there’s always a period of slow decline alongside the rise of the new.
WordPress launched in 2003
WordPress, an open source CMS, made its entrance as a blogging platform on May 27th 2003. Twenty years later it is still open source and now has 43% of all active websites running on it. This revolutionary platform, founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, aimed to democratise web creation. WordPress tackled this challenge by offering a user-friendly interface with a focus on simplicity. In its initial version (0.7), WordPress functioned primarily as a blogging platform. However, it included key features like the ability to create and manage posts, categorise content, and add comments. This foundational structure, coupled with its intuitive interface, paved the way for a future where anyone, regardless of technical expertise, could create and manage their own website.
Changes from 2006 onwards
Web design evolved
By 2006, a new aesthetic appeared: skeuomorphism and naturalism. This movement emphasised stock photography, long scrolling pages, and realistic shadows. Cartoonish graphics, once the norm, began to be replaced with a more lifelike design. This shift coincided with another major turning point: the release of the first iPhone in 2007 (3) This revolutionary device not only sparked the rise of adaptive web design but also further solidified the “caramel” style. Adaptive design, now referred to as responsive design, was the answer to the requirement for websites to seamlessly resize to work on mobile and tablet screens.
Remembering those iconic and somewhat cheesy iPhone app icons designed by Steve Jobs. With their glossy sheen and almost edible charm, they perfectly represented the era’s obsession with a touch of digital cuteness. (4)
Realism, it seemed, went hand-in-hand with a certain level of gloss. Textures mimicking real-world materials – wood grain, leather, brushed metal – became popular design choices. The goal was to create a user experience that felt familiar and intuitive, mirroring the physical world in the digital realm. This focus on realism would continue to evolve throughout the late 2000s, paving the way for a new chapter in web design.
WordPress – not only a blogging platform
By 2006, WordPress had evolved beyond its initial focus on blogging. While core functionalities like post creation and management remained central, the platform began to embrace features that expanded its capabilities. Developers witnessed the introduction of WordPress themes, offering users a wider range of design options to customise the look and feel of their websites. Additionally, plugins started to emerge, allowing for the integration of new functionalities beyond basic blogging, transforming WordPress into a more versatile content management system (CMS). This expansion in features solidified WordPress’ position as a user-friendly and powerful platform for building and managing dynamic websites.
Development of web design and navigation made during 2009 and 2010
While glimpses of the “glossy” aesthetic emerged as early as 2003 on a few pioneering websites, it wasn’t until Darcy DiNucci coined the term “Web 2.0” that the style truly took off. Web 2.0 (5) the term hijacked by Tim O’Reilly, refers to user generated content populating websites. It also references ease of use and a collaborative form of content compilation and sourcing.
This period, roughly between 2009 and 2010, saw the peak of the trend which was largely fuelled by the excitement surrounding the first iPhone and its emphasis on user-friendliness and a touch-centric experience.
Web design during this time embraced a playful and vibrant aesthetic. Bold, contrasting colours took centre stage, often accompanied by playful additions like virtual stickers, glossy icons and illustrations that seemed to pop off the screen. Rounded corners and buttons softened the overall look, while diagonal patterns and gradients added a touch of dynamism. These design elements, while executed quite differently today, were proof of the growing realisation that web design was becoming a creative medium.
The ability to create these more complex layouts owes a debt of gratitude to the introduction of HTML5. As an innovative programming language it offered a significant step forward for web developers. Unlike its predecessors, HTML5 was designed with both humans and search engines in mind. Its cleaner, more semantic structure made websites easier to understand and navigate for users, while also improving their discoverability in search engine results pages (SERPs).
HTML5, brought new life into many design trends from the past, allowing them to be reimagined in a more sophisticated way. The era of Web 2.0 wasn’t just about aesthetics or collaborative publishing; it was also about providing designers and developers with the tools to create truly interactive and user-centric web experiences.
WordPress during this time
During this period WordPress solidified its position as a leading content management system. The platform continued to evolve with a focus on user experience and customisation. Developers introduced a streamlined post editing interface, making content creation more intuitive. Additionally, the WordPress theme directory expanded significantly, offering users a wider selection of pre-built website designs. This period also witnessed a surge in plugin development, catering to diverse functionalities like contact forms, e-commerce capabilities, and SEO optimisation. These advancements empowered users to build increasingly complex and feature-rich websites without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
2011-2012: Skeuomorphism came and so did flat design
The reign of skeuomorphism (2011)
Skeuomorphism, a term one might hear a lot while looking at the history of web design, refers to the practice of mimicking real-world objects in digital interfaces. Think of the recycle bin icon on a computer – that’s a prime example of skeuomorphism. By using familiar physical objects as inspiration, designers are able to create interfaces that are intuitive and easy to understand for users. It’s a way of leveraging everyday items to make the digital world a bit less foreign.
By 2011 skeuomorphism had firmly established itself as a dominant design trend. This approach embraced realism in all its glory, emphasising such design items as:
- Calming colour palettes: imagine soothing tones that evoke nature and tranquillity.
- Natural textures: Wood grain, leather, grass, and cloth became popular choices, aiming to create a sense of familiarity and tactility.
- Embellishments galore: 3D typography, ribbons, embossed effects, and even antique stamps added a touch of whimsy and visual intrigue.
Skeuomorphism was all about meticulous detail. Icons and objects were painstakingly rendered to resemble their real-world counterparts as closely as possible. Textures, lighting, shadows, and colours all worked together to create a sense of depth and dimension, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. Apple’s early iOS interfaces are a prime example of skeuomorphism at its peak.
Unsurprisingly, designers spent a considerable amount of time refining this style, seeing it as the essence of web design. Debates raged on about the merits of following trends versus embracing minimalism. But as with most things, web design found its own path of development.
The rise of flat design (2011)
Who can forget the Microsoft Windows 8 look!
The first murmurs of a new design philosophy emerged in 2011, spearheaded by the likes of Microsoft and Twitter. Their card-based interfaces, characterised by simplicity, bold colours, clear fonts, and a minimalist aesthetic, began to make an appearance.
Flat design resonated with both designers and users wanting a more focused web experience. Gone were the days of glossy distractions. Minimalism brought the content and ideas front and centre. This shift mirrored a broader change in web design philosophy.
The 90s were dominated by content-heavy websites that often lacked visual appeal. The early 2000s saw a pendulum swing towards an overemphasis on glossy elements, which often overshadowed the text itself. Skeuomorphism’s peak marked a turning point.
Designers began to recognise that usability was more than just aesthetics; it was about creating a thoughtful composition. Flat design refined this concept, showing clear hierarchies and highlighting key elements with simple visual cues. The result? Websites that were easy on the eyes, didn’t distract users from intended actions, and maintained a clean, modern look.
Flat design emerged as a dominant force in 2011, however, skeuomorphism didn’t disappear entirely. Even today, echoes of this naturalistic style can be found in the work of leading designers.
Perhaps a famous fashion designer like Yves Saint Laurent would have said, “Trends come and go, but skeuomorphism has a certain timeless quality.” There’s some truth to that. It’s important to remember the distinction between realism and minimalism in design. While realistic elements can sometimes be minimalist they often lean towards the ornate. Imagine an interior designer obsessed with skeuomorphism – fancy arches, classic columns, and an abundance of light and colour. Every inch of space would be meticulously filled, leaving no room to breathe. Does happen of course!
Minimalist design, on the other hand, thrives on simplicity:
- Less is more: Minimalist websites feature a limited amount of text and graphics, allowing the content to shine through.
- Flat is the new black: Shadows and depth are eschewed in favour of a two-dimensional look.
- Readability reigns supreme: Large, clear fonts take centre stage for optimal legibility.
- Movement with a purpose: Parallax effects, GIFs, and simple Java animations can be used sparingly to add subtle movement.
- Bold and bright: Don’t be afraid of bright colours, large photographs, and captivating background videos.
While the flat design versus skeuomorphism debate raged on, visual programming languages continued to evolve. In 2014, Google entered the ring with its “Material Design” style guide. Seeking a middle ground, Google developers aimed to recapture some of the realism of skeuomorphism while maintaining the clean lines of flat design. The result? A new aesthetic: textural realism meets detailed minimalism. Imagine a computer screen transforming into a sheet of paper – a familiar, real-world object. But instead of being plain, it’s decorated with unique, easy-to-read typography, icons and subtle shadows and animations. This combination of flat and naturalistic elements is what is called “semi-flat” design, a popular trend that continues to dominate web design today.
WordPress kept up with it’s development during 2011 and 2012
The years 2011 to 2012 saw WordPress refine its core functionalities and embrace emerging design trends. The platform introduced features like post formats which supports more diverse content presentation beyond traditional blog posts. Additionally, a revamped admin bar offered users quick access to essential tools and functions making website management easier. The focus on ease of use continued with the introduction of automatic upgrades. Users now benefit from the automatic updates of the latest security patches and features.
This period also witnessed a growing emphasis on mobile responsiveness within the WordPress ecosystem. Developers began creating themes and plugins that optimised website layouts for optimal viewing across different screen sizes also referred to as ‘responsive design’, catering to the increasing use of mobile devices for web browsing. These advancements solidified WordPress’s position as a platform that not only empowered content creation but also prioritised user experience and adaptability to accommodate the many screen sizes in use.
The rise of semi-flat design and user experience (2015-2018)
The years between 2015 and 2018 witnessed the rise of semi-flat design and a renewed focus on user experience (UX/UI). This period marked a turning point, bridging the gap between the flat design trend and the wish for more realistic elements.
Mobile devices continued to capture the market globally prompting the development of a “mobile-first” approach to web design. Flat design began a subtle shift towards semi-flat by offering a middle ground in the ongoing battle between realists and minimalists. Semi-flat embraced an airy look. It featured some of these elements:
- Minimalist foundations: While semi-flat design incorporated some elements of realism, it didn’t forego the core principles that made flat design so successful. Clean layouts with minimal elements remained the foundation. Gret for making sure designs were clutter-free and user-friendly.
- Bold typography: In the era of semi-flat design typography came into its own. Building upon the flat design principle of clear and legible fonts, semi-flat embraced the power of bold typography. Large, clear fonts became popular and necessary to ensure best readability on the ever-shrinking screens of mobile devices. But beyond functionality, these bold fonts also served an aesthetic purpose. They also added a touch of personality and visual interest to layouts acting as design elements that could grab user attention and set the overall tone of the page and of course the entire website. What fonts had done for print over centuries of publishing finally made it onto the web page.
This wasn’t just about using any large font. Designers carefully selected typefaces that complemented the overall look and feel. Playful, whimsical fonts could be used for a children’s website, while clean modern fonts might be a better fit for a corporate website. The size and weight of the font were also carefully considered. Strategic use of contrasting font sizes could guide the user’s eye through the hierarchy of information on the page, drawing attention to key headlines and calls to action. Careful use of bold typography became a powerful tool for aiding user experience and adding visual appeal in semi-flat design.
A touch of realism reintroduced: While flat design offered a refreshingly minimalist look it sometimes lacked a certain depth and engagement. The semi-flat movement addressed this by reintroducing touches of realism. Animations weren’t just about flashy special effects. They served a purpose. Subtle micro-animations could guide the user’s eye towards important elements or provide feedback on completed actions. Dynamic images offered a more immersive experience, perhaps showcasing a product from different angles or showcasing a service in action.
This period also saw a growing emphasis on design systems. Websites incorporated:
Consistent design language: The rise of mobile devices and the ever-growing complexity of websites demanded a new level of organisation and consistency in web design. This is where the concept of a “consistent design language” came into play during the semi-flat design era. Imagine a website as a conversation – a set of established patterns, typography, colours, icons, and graphic elements act as the building blocks of this conversation, ensuring that users understand the “language” and can navigate the website intuitively.
A consistent design language doesn’t just make websites look polished; it also plays a crucial role in user experience (UX). By using the same set of design elements across all pages, users develop a sense of familiarity. They know where to find information, how to interact with elements, and what to expect visually. This consistency takes away distractions and helps users to focus on the content and whatever task they might be wanting to complete.
It works like a well-designed city. Keeping a city’s signage and having clear street layouts will ensure a predictable flow of traffic. City planners work to make a city easy to navigate. Similarly, a website with a well-defined design language allows users to find their way around effortlessly providing a positive and frustration-free experience. The benefits extend beyond user experience as well. A consistent design language streamlines the design process for web development teams. This is a cost effective way to save time and resources. It also supports a brand identity for companies and for small businesses it can create a sense of familiarity and trust. A consistent design language is what holds a website together, creating a user-friendly experience for all.
Eye-catching geometry: The semi-flat design era saw a resurgence of geometric shapes, particularly polygons and other bold forms. These weren’t just empty shapes though. They served a dual purpose: grabbing user attention and adding a layer of visual interest without losing sight of the clean lines and minimalist essence of semi-flat design.
Polygonal shapes, like triangles, squares, and hexagons offered a fresh alternative to the more traditional rounded shapes commonly used in flat design. These geometric forms could be used in a variety of ways:
Containers: The semi-flat design era saw a resurgence of geometric shapes, particularly polygons and other bold forms, as functional design elements. These shapes weren’t just window dressing. They served a vital role in creating a well-organised and engaging user experience.
One key application of geometric shapes was as containers for various website elements. Imagine a call-to-action button housed within a bright hexagonal frame. This not only adds a touch of visual interest but also helps the button stand out from the background, making it easier for users to locate and interact with. Similarly, text blocks inserted into triangular containers provided a clear structure for information, guiding the user’s eye and enhancing readability. This use of geometric shapes as containers fostered a sense of order and organisation, ensuring a clean and uncluttered layout that prioritised user experience.
The benefits extended beyond basic functionality. Polygonal containers, when used creatively, could inject a touch of personality into the design. Playful pentagons holding product images on an e-commerce website, for instance, could add a sense of whimsy and brand identity. This flexibility allowed designers to leverage geometric shapes to not only organise content but also subtly communicate the website’s overall tone and style. In essence, geometric containers offered a win-win situation for both user experience and visual appeal, perfectly embodying the core principles of semi-flat design.
Background elements: The semi-flat design era resulted in a revival of the use of geometric shapes, particularly polygons, not just as containers but also as subtle background elements. These shapes weren’t merely decorative; they strategically added a layer of depth and dynamism to layouts, without compromising the minimalist core of semi-flat design.
Imagine a website with a soft gradient applied across a background composed of overlapping hexagons. This subtle play of colour and shape creates a sense of visual interest, gently guiding the user’s eye across the page. Layering different sized and coloured polygons could create even more dynamic effects, hinting at a three-dimensional space without abandoning the clean lines characteristic of flat design.
The key to using geometric shapes as background elements lay in their subtlety. They shouldn’t overpower the foreground content, but rather act as a gentle enhancement. Gradients, those smooth transitions between colours, could be particularly effective when paired with geometric backgrounds. A cool blue gradient layered over hexagonal shapes could evoke a sense of calmness and professionalism, while a vibrant orange gradient paired with triangles could create a more energetic and playful mood.
This strategic use of geometric shapes in the background wasn’t purely aesthetic. It offered designers a way to subtly communicate brand identity and website purpose. A background composed of interlocking squares, for example, might convey a sense of stability and trust for a financial institution’s website. By harnessing the power of geometric shapes and gradients, semi-flat design could add a subtle layer of depth and dynamism to layouts, fostering a more engaging user experience.
Decorative accents: The semi-flat design era embraced geometric shapes not just for containers and backgrounds, but also as playful decorative accents. Simple shapes like triangles, circles, and squares transcended their functional roles to become design elements in their own right.
These standalone geometric accents served a two-fold purpose: adding a touch of whimsy and highlighting specific areas of the website. A website promoting a children’s toy store, for instance, might incorporate playful star shapes scattered throughout the layout, injecting a sense of fun and mirroring the brand’s target audience. Circles, on the other hand, could be used more subtly to draw attention to important elements like calls-to-action buttons or key product information. By strategically placing a vibrant circle behind a “Shop Now” button, designers could ensure it stood out from the background, prompting users to purchase a product.
The beauty of these decorative accents lay in their versatility. They could be bold and colourful, grabbing immediate attention, or more subdued and monochromatic, offering a subtle hint of visual interest. This allowed designers to tailor the use of geometric shapes to complement the overall tone and style of the website. A website for a design agency might utilise clean, minimalist triangles as accents, reflecting their modern aesthetic. In contrast, a website for a bakery might incorporate more playful, hand-drawn circles adorned with polka dots, echoing the brand’s warm and inviting personality.
These geometric accents weren’t just about the look and feel. They enhanced the user experience by drawing attention to specific areas of the website. This helped users navigate the content more efficiently. In essence, simple geometric shapes, with clever use added a playful touch to semi-flat design, resulting in a more engaging and user-friendly experience.
How these shapes were used effectively
The key to using these shapes effectively was in the details. Thick, contrasting outlines often accompanied these geometric forms. These bold outlines served two purposes:
- Emphasis: They helped the shapes stand out from the background, drawing the user’s eye to important information or key elements on the page.
- Visual hierarchy: By using different line weights designers could create a visual hierarchy, guiding the user’s attention through the website’s content.
The resurgence of geometric shapes in semi-flat design wasn’t purely to look good, however. These shapes often resonated with a sense of order, stability, and modernity. They offered a way to add visual interest and structure to layouts while remaining consistent with the minimalist principles that underpinned semi-flat design.
Designers experimented with the notion of boundaries, embracing a layered and interactive aesthetic. This included the rise of haptic design, which aimed to create a more physical and engaging user experience.
Highly detailed images, attractive animations, and even full-motion video became commonplace. Web design became a balancing act between creating a visually pleasing experience and user convenience. The terms UX/UI became synonymous, highlighting the inseparable nature of user experience with the user interface when crafting effective and appealing web pages.
The goal? High-quality, modern websites that actively engage users through a thoughtfully designed interface, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey through the digital space.
WordPress focused on Mobile First
Between 2015 and 2018, WordPress underwent significant advancements that solidified its status as the go-to platform for building dynamic websites. The focus shifted towards enhanced user experience and mobile-first design principles. Developers introduced a customisable dashboard, allowing users to personalise their website management environment.
Additionally, the introduction of a native customiser feature empowered users to make real-time changes to their website’s appearance without having to know code. This period also saw a rise in block-based editing, offering a more intuitive and visual way to create and manage content layouts. Furthermore, mobile responsiveness became a core design consideration, with themes and plugins increasingly optimised for seamless viewing across smartphones and tablets. This emphasis on user-friendliness and mobile-first design solidified WordPress’s position as a platform catering to the evolving needs of website creators in the digital age.
Web design transforms: A look at 2019-2021 trends
The web design landscape is ever-evolving, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and functionality. As this web design retrospective journey moves into the latter part of the 2010s, the years 2019-2021 witnessed a fresh wave of trends that captivated the industry.
- A return to minimalism (2021): Fuelled by the ever-growing dominance of mobile web browsing, 2021 saw a resurgence of minimalism. Websites were stripped down to their essential elements, prioritising clean, crisp text, ample white space, and uncluttered layouts. Monochromatic or duo-chrome colour palettes added a touch of sophistication, while simple graphics kept the user focused on the content. This approach wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it actively encouraged viewers to delve deeper and explore the content of the sites more thoroughly.
- A combination of subtle movement: Minimalism didn’t equate to static experiences. The subtle yet intentional use of parallax scrolling added a touch of depth and dynamism to web pages. As users scrolled, background elements moved at a different pace than foreground elements, creating a subtle 3D effect that enhanced user engagement. This, combined with a break from traditional scrolling methods through innovative techniques, injected a refreshing and interactive vibe into web design.
- Interactive landing pages take centre stage: Landing pages, the first impression a website makes on a visitor, became a strategic tool for converting visitors into customers. Interactive landing pages, like Adobe’s MyCreativeType site with its engaging quiz, went beyond simply conveying information. They actively drew users in, fostering engagement and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
- Dark mode rises to prominence: A user-centric trend that gained significant traction was dark mode. This design approach, featuring darker backgrounds and lighter text, offered several benefits. It reduced eye strain for users browsing in low-light environments and improved battery life on mobile devices. Recognising these advantages, major players like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all incorporated dark mode as an option for their users.
- Beyond flat design: a touch of realism: While minimalism reigned supreme, there was also a subtle shift towards incorporating a touch of realism into web design. This manifested in the use of 3D visuals, custom illustrated graphics, and carefully crafted gradients. These elements added depth and dimension to layouts, creating a more immersive and engaging user experience.
- Multimedia is back: The focus wasn’t solely on aesthetics, however. Web design in 2019-2021 embraced the power of multimedia. Websites incorporated exciting multimedia elements, such as captivating animations and videos, to further enhance user engagement and effectively communicate brand stories.
- Usability reigns supreme: At the heart of all these trends remained a core emphasis on functionality, usability, and accessibility. Designers prioritised creating websites that were not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate and use for all users, regardless of their technical abilities.
The web design trends of 2019-2021 offered a glimpse into the future of the digital landscape. By embracing minimalism, subtle interactivity, and a touch of realism, designers crafted user-centric experiences that were both beautiful and functional. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and shape the web design landscape in the years to come.
WordPress and the block editor – development from 2019 to 2022
The years 2019 to 2022 witnessed WordPress refine its editing experience and embrace the future of web development. The block editor, introduced earlier, became the cornerstone of content creation, allowing users to build complex layouts with a drag-and-drop interface. This shift towards a block-based system offered greater flexibility and visual control over website design.
Additionally, developers focused on performance optimisation, ensuring websites built on WordPress loaded quickly and delivered a smooth user experience. Security also remained paramount, with regular core updates addressing vulnerabilities and maintaining a secure platform.
Finally, the WordPress community continued to flourish, offering a vast library of pre-built blocks, themes, and plugins, empowering users to create unique and feature-rich websites without requiring extensive coding knowledge. These advancements solidified WordPress’s position as a user-friendly and powerful platform for building modern and engaging websites.
Web design in 2022-and onwards: A blend of innovation and nostalgia
The web design landscape from 2022 onward has developed into a vibrant tapestry woven from innovation and echoes of the past. It’s a thrilling playground where cutting-edge technology collides with artistic expression and a laser focus on user experience.
Let’s delve into the top trends that are shaping the digital world:
- Inclusivity takes centre stage: increased web accessibility. Gone are the days of websites that exclude entire user groups. Thankfully, web design from 2022 prioritises accessibility like never before. This means incorporating features like closed captions for embedded videos, ensuring screen reader compatibility, and utilising clear and concise language. By embracing accessibility, designers are able to create a more inclusive web that caters to a wider audience, fostering a positive user experience for everyone.
- A blast from the past: the allure of nostalgia: There’s a trend of revisiting the aesthetics of the 80s and 90s and that is not only in the fashion industry. Bold colour palettes reminiscent of Memphis Design, pixelated graphics that evoke a sense of retro charm, and playful typography with a vintage vibe are making a comeback. This isn’t just about blind imitation; it’s about harnessing the power of nostalgia to create a sense of familiarity and emotional connection with users. One can imagine it as a warm hug from a beloved childhood website, but with a modern twist.
- AI enters the design arena: Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the stuff of science fiction. In web design, AI is being used to drive user engagement, particularly in the realm of chatbot design. Websites are being built with friendly, AI-powered chatbots that greet visitors, answer their questions, and guide them through the user journey. This not only personalises the experience but also frees up human resources for more complex tasks. It’s a win-win for both users and businesses.
- Less is more: The enduring power of minimalism. Minimalism continues to be a dominant force in web design. Clean layouts, stripped-back aesthetics, and a focus on negative space (white space) create a sense of order and clarity. However, from 2022 onward minimalism isn’t about empty voids. It’s about using design elements with purpose to ensure every element on the page contributes to the overall user experience. It’s along similar lines of a well-edited and composed photograph – everything has its place, and nothing is superfluous.
- The power of tiny details: Micro interactions. Subtle yet impactful design elements known as micro interactions are adding a layer of polish and delight to websites. These micro interactions can be anything from a progress bar that smoothly animates as a file uploads to a button that changes colour on hover. While seemingly small, these micro interactions play a vital role in user experience. They provide feedback and elicit more patience from users as they can see something is happening when there is a delay in downloading a page or other item. It also enhances engagement and makes users feel like they’re actively interacting with the website, not just passively consuming content.
- Mobile reigns supreme: The dominance of mobile browsing continues to shape web design. Responsive design, the practice of ensuring websites adapt seamlessly across different screen sizes, remains an absolute necessity. In 2022-2023, it’s not just enough for a website to look good on mobile; it needs to function flawlessly as well. Fast loading times, intuitive navigation (7) designed for touchscreens, and user interfaces optimised for smaller screens are all crucial for creating a positive mobile experience.
- Augmented reality: A bridge between the physical and digital. Augmented reality (AR) is no longer a futuristic fantasy. Forward-thinking brands like Amazon and IKEA are utilising AR to improve user engagement and streamline decision-making processes. Imagine virtually placing a new couch in a living room to see how it looks before buying it, or using AR to visualise how a new paint colour would transform a bedroom wall. AR has the potential to revolutionise the way users interact with brands online.
- Darkness takes over: The rise of dark mode. Dark mode, with its dark backgrounds and light text, continues to gain popularity. This user-centric trend offers several benefits. It reduces eye strain, especially for users browsing in low-light environments, and can even improve battery life on mobile devices. Recognising these advantages, many websites now offer dark mode as an option, giving users the power to personalise their browsing experience.
The key to success in web design lies in striking a delicate balance. Designers must embrace the new and innovative while acknowledging the power of the familiar. Bold aesthetics can coexist with subtle details, and cutting-edge technology should always serve the goal of creating a user-friendly and accessible web experience for all. It’s an exciting time for web design.
From 2022 and onwards. What did WordPress add to web design?
As of 2022 and beyond, WordPress development continues to prioritise user experience and cater to the ever-evolving web landscape. Here’s a glimpse into some key areas of focus:
- Full embrace of block editing: The block editor, introduced earlier, has become the undisputed champion for content creation. Developers are constantly refining and expanding the block library, offering users a wider range of pre-built blocks for various functionalities and layouts. This empowers users to build complex and dynamic websites with a visual, drag-and-drop approach, minimising the need for code.
- Focus on automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): WordPress is exploring the potential of automation and AI to streamline website management tasks. Features like automated content scheduling, image optimisation, and even AI-powered content suggestions are being explored and implemented. These advancements aim to free up valuable time for website owners and content creators.
- Enhanced security measures: Security remains a top priority for WordPress developers. Regular updates address vulnerabilities and ensure a safe platform for users. Additionally, there’s an increasing focus on integrating security best practices into core functionalities, making it easier for users to build secure websites even without extensive technical knowledge.
- Integration with emerging technologies: the WordPress community is actively exploring ways to integrate the platform with emerging technologies like the metaverse and blockchain. While still in its early stages, this could potentially open up new possibilities for user interaction and website functionalities in the future.
By focusing on these areas, WordPress aims to remain a user-friendly and powerful platform for building dynamic and future-proof websites.
Growth of the WordPress community of contributors
Beyond the core WordPress platform itself, a vibrant contributor community established itself, assisting web designers and developers with a vast selection of themes, plugins, and tools. This ecosystem fuels the platform’s versatility and empowers users to customise their websites to fit any need. Some of the key components:
- Themes: A diverse marketplace of themes, both free and premium, caters to a wide range of aesthetics and functionalities. Whether you desire a sleek, minimalist design for a portfolio website or a feature-rich online store, there’s a theme perfectly suited to your vision. The contributor community actively develops and maintains these themes, ensuring compatibility with the latest WordPress versions and design trends.
- Plugins: Plugins extend the core functionalities of WordPress, adding features that cater to specific needs. Imagine wanting a contact form, an e-commerce shopping cart, or SEO optimisation tools – there’s likely a plugin available! The WordPress plugin repository offers a vast selection, often with both free and paid options, allowing users to find the perfect fit for their budget and requirements. Many developers in the community actively contribute by creating and maintaining these plugins.
- Community support: The WordPress contributor community extends beyond theme and plugin developers. A vast network of online forums, tutorials, and knowledge bases offer invaluable support to users. Whether you encounter a technical hurdle or simply seek guidance on best practices, there’s a wealth of information and assistance readily available. This collaborative spirit fosters a learning environment where users can help each other and contribute to the overall growth of the platform.
In essence, the WordPress contributor community forms the backbone of the platform’s rich ecosystem. By creating and maintaining themes, plugins, and offering support resources, these contributors empower users to build and manage websites that perfectly suit their needs, solidifying WordPress’s position as a user-friendly and adaptable platform for the digital age.
Looking into the future with WordPress and web design
Web design’s future
Web design has come a long way as all who have been on the web since the late 1990’s will know. Remember the early 2000s, not so easy for the younger generation of course, with dial-up connections limiting the content websites could easily show users. Those days are long gone. Today, websites are smooth, flexible, and designed to work perfectly on any device.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to significantly impact web design in the future. Here’s a glimpse into some potential areas of influence:
- Personalised user experiences: AI algorithms could analyse user behaviour and preferences, allowing websites to dynamically adjust content and layouts to cater to individual visitors. This could lead to websites recommending products based on the user’s browsing history or personalise the news feed to match their interests.
- Automated design elements: AI could streamline the design process by automating repetitive tasks like generating basic layouts or suggesting colour palettes based on user preferences. This would free up designers to focus on more creative aspects and complex functionalities.
- Enhanced accessibility features: AI-powered tools could analyse website content and suggest improvements for accessibility, ensuring websites are user-friendly for everyone, regardless of ability.
- Content development: Ask any web designer what their biggest irritation is and they will probably name waiting for content from clients as one of the worst issues to deal with. AI tools such as Gemini, ChatGPT or Perplexity to name just a few will assist web designers and website owners to more readily create the copy for their websites. It will also be possible for these tools to write the copy to fit copy blocks easily so that the design is not skewed by content. Image creation tools such as Midjourney and Adobe’s amazing Firefly software as well as Sora which creates video from text are being developed at high speed to assist with the visual content for websites.
- Voice-controlled Interfaces: The rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa suggests a future where voice interactions become more prevalent. AI could play a crucial role in developing and optimising voice-controlled interfaces for websites, offering users a more intuitive and hands-free browsing experience.
While AI integration in web design is still in its early stages, it holds immense potential to transform the user experience, personalise content delivery, and streamline design workflows in the years to come.
WordPress sees AI in its future
There is no doubt that AI will impact the development of WordPress. Here are some potential areas that will feel AI::
- Automated website management: AI could automate repetitive website management tasks such as image optimisation, broken link detection, and basic security checks. This would free up valuable time for developers and website owners to concentrate on more strategic initiatives.
- Personalised user interfaces: The WordPress dashboard could leverage AI to personalise the user experience for each website owner. The dashboard could highlight frequently used features, suggest relevant plugins based on website functionalities, and even provides contextual help based on user actions. This personalisation would enhance workflow efficiency and empower users of all skill levels to effectively manage their WordPress websites.
- Improved theme and plugin development: AI will further improve the help developers receive when using code assistants such as Copilot or CodeRabbit. AI Code Reviews improve developer teams’ workflow speed and code quality. CodeRabbit provides instant and accurate feedback on pull requests. by automating repetitive coding tasks and suggesting best practices during theme and plugin creation. This streamlines the development process and potentially leads to a wider range of high-quality themes and plugins available within the WordPress ecosystem.
- Data liberation: During the State of the Word address 2023 (6) WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg mentioned Data Liberation. He spoke about the significance of the open web and simplifying date portability allowing users to switch between page builders and core blocks envisaging a one-click migration.
While the full potential of AI in WordPress development is yet to be fully realised, it presents exciting possibilities for simplifying tasks, enhancing user experiences and fostering a more efficient and creative workflow for all stakeholders involved.
Website design and development will be affected by new technology to an extent that most people cannot even imagine. In particular, progress in the field of AI will make it easier for web designers and developers to include voice, touch and AR/VR to play an important role in the navigation of online content. The only thing that will slow down the move to more immersive experiences will be the skills, knowledge and enthusiastic adoption of the web design industry.
- https://backlinko.com/smartphone-usage-statistics
- https://maxiblocks.com/wordpress-navigation-menus/
FAQs that might arise when considering WordPress as a website builder:
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows users to create and manage their own websites with ease. It’s an open-source platform, meaning it’s freely available for anyone to use and modify. Initially launched as a blogging tool in 2003, WordPress has evolved into a powerful website builder suitable for creating a wide variety of websites.
Why choose WordPress for web design?
- Ease of use: WordPress offers an intuitive user interface that makes it easy for anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to create and manage a website.
- Flexibility: With thousands of themes and plugins available, WordPress allows for extensive customization to meet the needs of virtually any website project.
- Community support: A vast community of WordPress users and developers contributes to a wealth of knowledge, tutorials, forums, and resources that can help troubleshoot issues or enhance your website.
Can WordPress handle different types of websites?
Yes, WordPress is incredibly versatile and can be used for various types of websites, including blogs, portfolios, e-commerce stores, business websites, forums, and more. The availability of numerous themes and plugins makes it possible to tailor WordPress to fit the specific needs of different site types.
Is WordPress suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. One of the reasons for WordPress’s popularity is its user-friendly dashboard and the ease with which users can publish content, install themes, and add plugins. Many hosting providers also offer one-click WordPress installations, simplifying the setup process even further.
How does WordPress compare to other website builders?
While there are many website builders available, WordPress stands out for its flexibility, scalability, and the vast array of customization options available through themes and plugins. Unlike proprietary website builders, WordPress allows you to own your site and move it to any web host you choose, giving you greater control over your online presence.
What are WordPress themes and plugins?
- Themes: These are templates that determine the appearance and layout of your website on WordPress. There’s a wide variety of free and premium themes available, catering to different design preferences and website functionalities.
- Plugins: Plugins extend the functionality of a WordPress website, allowing you to add new features such as contact forms, SEO tools, e-commerce capabilities, and more. Like themes, there is a vast selection of both free and premium plugins.
How does WordPress keep up with web design trends?
The WordPress community actively develops new themes and plugins that incorporate the latest web design trends, from responsive design to block editing and integration with emerging technologies like AI. Regular updates to the WordPress core software also ensure compatibility with current web standards and technologies.
Is WordPress mobile-friendly?
Yes, many WordPress themes are designed to be responsive, meaning they automatically adjust their layout to look good on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Additionally, the WordPress block editor and many page builder plugins offer mobile editing views, allowing you to customize how your site looks on mobile devices.
Can I switch my website to WordPress from another platform?
Yes, WordPress includes tools and plugins designed to import content from other blogging and CMS platforms. Furthermore, the WordPress community offers numerous resources and services that can assist with website migration, ensuring a smooth transition to the WordPress platform.
Is WordPress SEO-friendly?
WordPress is known for being SEO-friendly out of the box. It generates clean, search engine-readable HTML markup and offers additional SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack, which provide more comprehensive tools to optimize your site for search engines.