Web design and psychology

Web design isn’t just about putting pictures and words on a screen anymore. It’s more like leading a group of mental tricks that encourage people to do specific actions. Design psychology is all about understanding how our brains work and how we make choices when we’re using websites. The concept of web design psychology comes from cognitive psychology, user experience (UX) research, and behavioural economics to decipher how users perceive, interact, and make decisions within digital spaces.

One of the fundamental pillars of design psychology is the Gestalt principles. These principles emphasise how humans naturally perceive and organise visual information. Imagine building a puzzle. Design psychology is like knowing how people naturally put pieces together. For example, if things are close to each other, our brains think they belong together (the law of proximity). Or when we see an incomplete shape, our brains automatically fill in the missing parts (the principle of closure). These tricks help us decide what to look at on a website and make everything fit together nicely.

The power of first impressions

Just like when you meet someone for the first time in real life, first impressions matter immensely in the digital world. Researchers have found that websites have a mere fraction of a second to capture a user’s attention. This is when way colours, fonts, and how things are arranged becomes significant. Colours can make you feel different emotions – like blue might make you feel safe, red could mean something is important, and green might make you think of nature or calmness. Typography, on the other hand, influences how content is consumed – serif fonts may convey tradition and formality, while sans-serif fonts exude modernity and simplicity.

The layout of a website also plays a pivotal role. The F-pattern and Z-pattern reading behaviours are essential considerations. Users often scan content in an F-shaped pattern – starting with a horizontal movement at the top, followed by a vertical movement down the page. The Z-pattern, common in pages with less text, involves scanning in the shape of a Z. Understanding these patterns enables web designers to strategically place critical information and calls-to-action where users are most likely to see them.

Navigating with ease

Effortless navigation is a hallmark of effective web design. Psychology shows us that people will probably stay and use a website more if they can easily find what they are looking for. This is where the idea of cognitive fluency comes in. Cognitive fluency suggests that people prefer things that are easy to understand and process. To make this happen, designers should ensure that the navigation menus you use to get around the website are clear, short, and logically organised. The words used should explain themselves, and the menus should look the same on every page.

Furthermore, the paradox of choice should be kept in mind. Remember the confusing situation that happens when there are too many choices. Having lots of options can seem nice, but sometimes it can make it hard to decide. By limiting the number of choices – whether it’s product options or navigation links – web designers can guide users toward the desired outcomes.

Web design psychology of visual hierarchy

In web design, visual hierarchy is a fundamental concept that leverages psychological principles to prioritise and organise content. Our brains are wired to process information hierarchically – scanning for the most important and relevant details first. We can use this idea by using different things like size, contrast, colour, and positioning on the website.

Buttons that tell you what to do (we call them “calls-to-action” or CTAs) are a great example of visual hierarchy in action. When these buttons are big, bold, and strategically placed, web designers can guide users toward desired actions. For instance, you might sign up for a newsletter, make a purchase, or explore more content. The reason this works is because of something called the “Von Restorff effect.” It means you remember things that are different more than things that are the same.

Building trust and credibility

Building trust and credibility is important at a time when there are many online scams and misinformation. Psychology offers insights into how to instil confidence in users when visiting a website. Elements such as social proof – showcasing user testimonials, reviews, and trust badges – can make people feel good about the website. People tend to follow the crowd, if others have had positive experiences, they are more likely to engage.

Transparency is another vital component. When users feel that a website is upfront about its intentions, how it uses your information and business practices, they’re more likely to trust and interact with the website. Web designers can employ visual cues like clear privacy policies and secure payment icons to help build this trust.

The urgency and scarcity effect

Feeling like something is important and might not be available for long is a strong way to make people do something. When people think that a product or a special deal will be gone soon, they feel like they need to do something quickly. We can use this feeling in web design by adding things like timers that count down, offers that are only good for a short time, and showing when something is almost sold out. This makes people feel like they shouldn’t miss out (FOMO – fear of missing out), and it makes them decide faster.

But, it’s really important to be careful with this idea. Overusing urgency tactics can lead to a sense of distrust if users feel manipulated.. So, finding the right amount is really important. This helps keep your reputation good and encourages genuine engagement.

AI and personalisation

As technology continues to advance, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in web design is becoming increasingly prominent. AI-driven personalisation leverages user data and behaviour to deliver tailored experiences. This means looking at what you like, what you’ve done before, and what you click on, AI algorithms can predict what content or products you are likely to engage with, enhancing the overall user experience (UX).

The reason AI personalisation works is because of something called the “mere exposure effect”. This means that when you see something many times, you usually start to like it more. Personalised content meets individual tastes and needs, increasing the likelihood of user engagement and conversion.

In the complex relationship between web design and psychology, web designers have the unique opportunity to shape user behaviour, influence decisions, and create meaningful connections. Knowing how our minds work when we use websites is important now, especially with so many websites out there. Web designers can use ideas from psychology – from first impressions and navigation to visual hierarchy and trust-building – designers can craft websites that not only captivate visually but also resonate emotionally, ultimately leading to more engaged and satisfied users. As technology evolves, so too will the intersection of design and psychology, paving the way for ever more sophisticated and effective web experiences.

As you finish reading, think about this: How might knowing more about how people use websites change the way you create your own? Ready to take your designs to the next level? We’re here to help – reach out to us for personalised guidance in crafting a site that truly resonates with your audience.

Rebranding of the Twitter logo

Twitter is among the leading social networking platforms with more than 230 million users, making it highly popular. When thinking about rebranding, many factors must be taken into account. Firstly, the blue bird logo is widely recognised worldwide and instantly linked to the platform. Thus, this change might confuse users and potentially lead to a decrease in their numbers. To undertake a complete brand overhaul, certain driving factors are essential. These include having a new vision, a clear purpose, a change in brand values, and the risk of losing meaningful connections with the users.

The new Twitter logo, the X symbol, looks contemporary and modern. It uses only black and white colours, which is very different from the old blue bird logo. The X stands for exchanging different ideas on the platform, showing how people share their thoughts. The straight lines and shape of the X make Twitter look feel fresh and moving forward. It matches Elon Musk’s ideas for a better Twitter. Similar to the old logo, this new design is made to be flexible and last a long time. People have had different reactions to this logo change. Many users are not pleased to see the X on their screens.

Crowdsourced X logo

Elon Musk asked people on Twitter to help design the new logo. Many different designs were sent, but Musk found the perfect fit in a design shared by a Twitter user named Sawyer Merritt. This collaboration between Musk and the Twitter community further solidified the sense of inclusivity and community-driven changes in the platform’s evolution.

How are people reacting?

Whenever a big change happens, like replacing the well-known bird logo, people’s reactions can be mixed. After the X logo was introduced, Twitter users shared their thoughts on the platform. Some people liked the change and saw it as a sign of Twitter moving forward and Elon Musk’s creative leadership. On the other hand, some users were not so excited and felt nostalgic about the old blue bird logo they had come to love.

Certain users worried that the switch to the X logo might confuse people and push away the current users. The bird logo had become a symbol of Twitter over time, and such a significant transformation could change how people see the platform. However, Elon Musk’s vision for Twitter is focused on creating a new era of communication and progress. He sees the X symbol as representing the exchange of different ideas and perspectives on the platform.

Elon Musk’s bold decision to replace Twitter’s bird logo with the X symbol has sparked discussions about the platform’s future. This change represents a transformative phase for Twitter, embracing innovation, inclusivity, and diverse ideas. While opinions about the change differ, it reflects Musk’s dedication to pushing social networking boundaries and creating a platform that fits our ever-changing world. The future of Twitter and its position in the digital landscape will be shaped by this daring rebranding.

Did you know that Twitter has transformed its iconic bird logo into the X symbol? What are your thoughts on this bold change? Share your opinions with us!

What is the Threads app?

Threads, built by Instagram’s parent company, Meta, is a social media platform where Instagram users with an iPhone or Android device can share and interact with each other’s text posts. When you first start using Threads, your account is linked to Instagram, so you can keep your username. Threads is meant to compete with Twitter. Meta made this strong move to try and get people who use Twitter to start using Threads instead. The hope is that these users will be tempted to switch over to Threads. On the first day, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta (formerly known as Facebook), proudly announced that Threads had gained 30 million new users.

How does Threads work?

Getting started with Threads is easy. You need to simply use your Instagram account credentials to log in and your Instagram username and verification will seamlessly transfer over. Next, you can enter your bio and include important links such as your website or links to other social media accounts. If you prefer a convenient option, you can automatically fill in these details from your Instagram account by selecting “Import from Instagram”. This action also syncs your profile picture from your Instagram profile.

You cannot change your username on Threads itself, as it pulls from your Instagram account. To change your username on Threads, you will have to change your Instagram username. If you are under 16 years old (or under 18 in certain countries), the app will automatically set your profile to private to ensure your safety and privacy.

In Threads, you can share posts on both Instagram and Threads itself. You can post 500 characters in one post on the app. These posts can include links, photos and videos that can be up to five minutes long.

You have the freedom to follow the same accounts as you do on Instagram, while also discovering new individuals who share similar interests. Additionally, you can unfollow, block, restrict or report other profiles. If you block an account on Instagram, it will also be automatically blocked on Threads.

It is now available to download in over 100 countries including the UK, but not yet in the EU because of regulatory concerns, particularly around the EU’s Digital Markets Act. But the company says it is looking into launching in the EU.

Using Threads for your business

With Threads, you can foster stronger relationships and create a sense of exclusivity with your customers. If you are an entrepreneur, using Threads provides a special chance to connect with your audience on a more personal and interactive level. This, in turn, strengthens your brand image and contributes to business growth. Innovative apps like Threads enable you to share exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates and special offers exclusively with a select group of followers. This helps deeper connections and build a loyal community. By utilising Threads and other business tools, you can enhance your brand’s image and establish stronger relationships.

The rapid growth of Threads so far is encouraging for businesses. The key will be if those users stick around over the long term and use the platform regularly. As with any new social platform, there are challenges to overcome. Ensuring the safety and security of user’s personal information, addressing potential privacy concerns and maintaining a healthy and respectful online environment is critical.

Going into 2022, it is important to reflect on your business’ current brand identity and determine if any changes need to be made. No matter how big or small your company, it is vital to adapt with the times.

If you are noticing signs of your brand identity becoming out of style, then you must act fast to ensure you do not lose customers as a result. Below are 10 top tips for developing an exciting new brand identity for your business in 2022.

Related Articles:

• The 3 Key Points to Effective Branding for your Business
• How to Maintain your Brand Image in the World of Social Media
• 6 sure-fire tips to improve your website typography

Assess your current brand identity

As mentioned above, before overhauling your brand identity entirely it is always recommended to look at the current state of your brand. Elements that make up your brand include:

• Logo
• Colour palettes
• Typography
• Brand message
• Packaging (if you are selling products)
• Website design

Try to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your current assets. Does your logo accurately reflect your brand ethos? Will your current typography appear attractive to your target demographic? Most importantly, does your brand look modern and presentable compared to your competitors?

If you find yourself doubting any aspect of your current brand, you should look to refresh it, and ensure it still matches up with the rest of your brand identity.

Research what your target audience wants in 2022

As a business owner, you should always listen to your customers. Research who your target demographics are. What age groups tend to visit your brand the most? Does your business focus on attracting consumers or businesses? Once you have formed an idea of what appeals to your targets, you can then start optimising your brand identity to fit this.

To help with brand identity research, study your competition and see what works for them. Note what communicates well, and what could be improved. You can use this information to help enhance your own brand identity and give it an edge over your competition. Make sure to never copy your competition directly – your brand will lose its unique identity and will not help you stand out from the crowd.

Determine your new direction

Once you have assessed your current brand and determined what will appeal to your target audience, you can start aligning your brand with the direction you want to kick off 2022 with.

Ask yourself some questions to clarify your vision for the brand. These include:

• What are the key ‘traits’ you want to convey to your audience through imagery and text?
• How will your visuals help convey your brand’s ‘mission statement’?
• What emotions do you want your brand identity to evoke in your customers?

Compile your ideas into a branding brief, which should answer all of the questions above, as well as ideas for your brand’s themes and motifs. This will form the basis of your brand redesign, which will help you in the next step.

Update your new visuals

You can now start to develop an updated brand identity. A few tips on how to implement this:

Your logo is the centrepiece of your brand identity – it is usually the first thing customers will see and the most recognisable asset. Your logo should be unique and eye-catching to your target demographic. Keep it simple enough for customers to recognise, but make sure it is not too basic and boring.

Once you have your logo, derive a colour palette that will enhance your brand identity’s visual appeal. Your colours should not only be complementary to your logo, but also your website, product design and advertising content. A good place to start is to decide on one or two ‘main’ colours, followed by a couple of ‘accent’ colours to add flair to your palette.

For typography, stick to just two or three fonts. All fonts should differ in appearance so that there are no style clashes. Use them consistently across your logo, website and advertising so users grow accustomed to the feel of your brand.

Review the type of language you use to convey information to customers. If you are appealing to the general consumer, it is best to use simpler, less verbose messaging. For ‘premium’ brands, use more professional language.

Harness the power of social media

In this day and age, you can expand your brand without spending a penny through the utilisation of social media. Apps such as Twitter and Instagram can help your business reach a swathe of new potential customers, so if you have not yet put your brand on social media, 2022 is the time to do so!

To develop an effective social media presence, ensure that all branding is consistent over your social media accounts, including logos and colour schemes. It is also important that the message you convey is consistent – do not alter the kind of language you use across your accounts. Make sure to upload content regularly.

Track performance metrics

Once you have implemented a new brand identity, you need to maintain your image. This can be achieved by tracking a variety of key performance indicators (KPIs) on your brand website and social media accounts. Some good examples of this include the use of surveys to gather customer feedback and online analytics services such as Google Analytics.

Web traffic is a great way to measure your brand’s effectiveness. If people are visiting and staying on your website, it is a sign that they are interested in your business – this is known as keeping a low ‘bounce rate’.

It is also a good idea to track a collection of key search terms related to your business. If your brand is not ranking highly on search engines, it is unlikely that new customers will come across your brand. You need to ensure that your brand’s content is consistent and contains plenty of useful keywords.

Most social media platforms offer analytics tools for you to measure customer engagements with your content. This includes impressions, likes and shares, as well as how many people have clicked on links leading to your main site.

If you are in need of a new brand identity, then Reactive Graphics can help. Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!

Reactive Graphics recently completed a financial web design project for Blakeney Management, one of the pioneers of institutional investment in Africa and the Middle East.

Since 1995, Blakeney has been investing in both regions on behalf of some of the most sophisticated endowments, foundations, pension funds and family offices in the world.

Blakeney Management is tech savvy and sophisticated and their new identity reflects this. We made sure to keep the presentation minimal, with clean vector infographics used where necessary.

As the website should primarily be used as a tool for referral, the design should instil confidence in users – our minimalist approach means that the user is not overloaded with information, and every piece of information stands out more as a result.

Reactive Graphics specialises in financial web design, developing new websites and brand identities for organisations similar to Blakeney.

If you want to build a brand for your company then Reactive Graphics can help.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
To take a look at how Reactive Graphics have transformed the websites of similar financial organisations,  please take a look at our our portfolio of work here.

When the time comes to redesign your website, there are endless paths you could take. Most website owners will be hugely excited at the prospect of a complete visual overhaul in line with the latest web design trends, however a shiny new frontend does not always guarantee a better user experience. It is crucial to do prior research in order to fully understand the functionality of your website, and to determine which parts require more care throughout the redesign process.

Here are 10 tips for redesigning your website in an efficient, effective manner to help your business fulfil its online potential.

Think – do you NEED a website redesign?

First and foremost, make sure not to get ahead of yourself – you shouldn’t redesign your website without a compelling reason as to why. Needlessly altering the state of your branding can often be detrimental to business.

There should be clear reasoning for your website needing a revamp – for example, a change in your site’s purpose, a change in brand identity, or simply because your website has not been updated in a while. Redesigning your website with a clear cause in mind will help guide you towards an end result that suits the needs of your business.

Understand your target audience

It is important to cater your website to your audience over your own personal interests. Research should be conducted into the types of users that make up your overall userbase – you can then create individual personas based on the findings, which help you understand what your potential customers want to see from your website.

Once you know your audience, you can further analyse your current site to see which parts work for your target demographic, and which parts need improvement – more on this below.

Utilise KPIs to determine your site’s pros and cons

It is great to receive website feedback from co-workers and customers, but even better when you have quantitative evidence to back it up. Businesses need to make sales, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are the bread and butter of determining whether your web service is currently fulfilling its full potential.

Metrics such as:

• Number of conversions
• Conversion rate
• Revenue
• Web traffic
• SEO rankings

will give you a better idea of where your website is performing strongly, and where it needs improvement. Fixing any weaknesses early on will smoothen the entire redesign process, and will not result in further problems down the line.

Be aware of your competition

The nature of your business can have a big influence on your website design – this differs hugely across industries and niches. You may find that your competitors have recently updated their website to cater to an alternative demographic, or undergone a change in brand design.

Analysing your competition can help you decide which direction to take your own website in – of course, it is not advised to straight-up copy a competitor, but it is always beneficial to take inspiration from as many sources as possible.

Know your branding, and keep it consistent

When planning your new website, ask some questions about your current brand. Does your current logo fit in with your website’s new aesthetic? Does your typeface gel well with your new sections? If you are trying to target a new demographic, would an alternative colour scheme help attract your targets?

Once you have settled on your brand identity, make sure it is kept consistent throughout the entirety of your redesign – remove any old visuals that will not fit with the new user experience.

Keep SEO in mind from the start

Any new or redesigned site relies heavily on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to make initial connections with customers. SEO should be a focus from day one of development – ensuring that your new look is able to get off the ground and reach the customers you want it to reach.

Ensure that you are publishing regular relevant material and using appropriate keywords throughout your site. It can help to use an automated SEO service to assess your site and provide feedback on potential improvements.

Responsiveness is key!

According to Smart Insights, 80% of Internet users own a smartphone – so make sure your newly-designed site works on mobiles or risk losing out on valuable customers! Think about why customers might visit your site on mobile – what parts of the site are they most likely to look for?

Often, a website may need to be structured differently on mobile, so that all focal points can fit together on a smaller screen. It is important to make sure that your mobile site design can provide a smooth user experience, but also that the design does not deviate too far from the web design, as this could make new customers feel unfamiliar.

Don’t be afraid to switch up your text and images

Never be afraid to take a calculated risk! You may have some lovely photos that fit your old site, but find that they don’t translate as well to your new, modern redesign. It is best to not be sentimental in this scenario – find media that works for your site and reap the rewards in the long run.

The same applies to website text – if you are targeting a new demographic, it may be time to replace that old slogan or About page to something that will resonate more with new customers.

Know how to test your new elements

You have your shiny new redesign ready to go – now it’s time to make sure it works. Testing all of your components, page flows and loading times can reveal faults that may not have been detected during development – for example, a simple change in image can lead to longer loading times, which can deter potential customers.

A/B testing is a popular form of testing where a new site is tested against the old one, so that each section can be compared to its predecessor to see if there have been improvements or not.

There’s always room for improvement!

Your new design is live, and your conversions are going up – congratulations! Now it’s time to maintain that progress – make sure to continue to monitor feedback and make tweaks to your website where appropriate. Your website should be constantly evolving in response to your customers and industry.

Make sure to follow these tips and keep monitoring your KPIs – with a well-planned design process, your metrics should soar!

If you want to build a brand for your business then Reactive Graphics can help.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
To take a look at how Reactive Graphics have transformed clients brand intensities,  please take a look at our our portfolio of work here.

We are delighted to announce that Reactive Graphics has won:

Best UI Design

Best UX design

Best Innovation

at the CSS Design Awards!

These awards were voted for by the public and so we are very thankful for everybody who put us forward.

If you want to build a brand for your business then Reactive Graphics can help.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
To take a look at how Reactive Graphics have transformed clients brand intensities,  please take a look at our our portfolio of work here.

Google’s new design language, Material You, was announced at its I/O conference on May 18th, with the aim to “transform design for Android, for Google, and for the entire tech industry.” It will first be arriving as part of Android 12 on Pixel phones and Google applications, with later rollouts planned for WearOS and other platforms. 

Matías Duarte, Google’s Vice President of Design revealed that Material You had been in development for several years. The new initiative comes seven years after Google launched Material Design in 2014 and will succeed 2018’s Material Theming, which was released with the aim of giving users “the ability to systematically customize Material Design to better reflect [their] product’s brand.”

With Material You set to thrust Google’s application design into a new era, there is plenty to unpack at such an early stage. Without further ado, let’s delve into the key themes and features already announced.

Customisable Colours

Alive and Adaptive

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes!

Cross-Platform Consistency

Accessibility For All

Material You: Conclusions

In the early 2010s Google made a huge commitment to revamp its once-dated UI, and 2014’s Material Design brought in a new era of clean-cut, minimalist interface design. This was a huge success, but was also very rigid and did not provide users with a lot of space to express themselves. 

Seven years on, Google may well have found its answer to this problem with Material You – it maintains the flat, geometric design of its predecessor, whilst giving users the power to create and customise their own interfaces almost effortlessly.

Recent design trends such as animations and flat shapes come to the forefront to give Material You a contemporary edge going into 2022 and beyond. Will it catch on for years to come? Here at Reactive, we’re optimistic that it will. 

Material You arrives to Google Pixel devices in the autumn, whilst developers can get an early preview now through Android 12.

If you want to build a brand for your business then Reactive Graphics can help.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
To take a look at how Reactive Graphics have transformed clients brand intensities,  please take a look at our our portfolio of work here.

Dark Mode

Already a big trend this year, dark mode is set to become ever more popular next year too. Here are some of the main reason’s designers love dark mode:

• Makes design elements more visible
• Increases the contrast ratio
• Reduces eye strain in low-light conditions
• It can even save device batter power

Dark mode looks super-modern. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Apple are just a few big brand names that offer alternative themes in their platforms. Also, dark shades allow you to create elements using a neon glow, which is another trend you will find with other dark mode websites.

Bold Fonts

When visiting a lot of leading corporation websites, you will see that bold typography is on-trend. With heavy, bold fonts, the reader is instantly aware of the message, not necessarily the imagery.

However, combining these large fonts with neutral colours further emphasises the headlines, quickly becoming an “image” of their own.

Heavy fonts put more visual weight to the message and direct the reader to where they should look first. Visitors tend to read big headlines first. That is why these play a huge role in making a good impression. From an aesthetic point of view, bold fonts also give designs a modern and contemporary feel.

Unusual Colour Combinations

Another design trend this year is unusual colour combinations. Bold, bright, saturated colours help your brand stand out from the soft neutrals and minimalist designs that many companies have chosen over the past few years.

Most prominent web design trends will be the use of bold colours and unusual colour combinations that perfectly harmonise with each other to catch users’ eye.

In 2020, using colour combinations creatively means pairing together colours that your audience wouldn’t normally expect to see combined. Of course, in order to not make your visitors’ eyes hurt, the colour combination should be adapted to the graphics.

To succeed in implementing this trend, you shouldn’t be afraid to try new things. Glowing shades, intense colours, and unusual colour pairings will definitely stick in the memory of your website visitors.

Data Visualisation

A popular design trend right now is data visualisation. Humans are visual creatures; it is easier to comprehend the information when it is provided visually, rather than in text.

Presenting numbers in a smart way greatly emphasizes the information you are providing. Data visualization shapes boring data into catchy graphics, thus making it much more engaging and easier to understand. It allows users to better comprehend business specific information.

Communicating data in an engaging way is a struggle. But the struggle is worth it. Infographics and graphs are some of the most popular ways to bring data to life.

Gradients

Gradients are a long-time trend that has evolved from subtle colour overlays to eye-catching backgrounds. Gradients can be used to add depth, serve as a striking background, or subtly to add texture to an illustration. We increasingly see it used in bigger and bolder typography.

But compared to the gradients used by designers in previous years, the new generation of gradients has different styling. Now gradients are relatively simple, using a single clear light source and created using one or two colours.

This trend has staying power and we are excited to see the continual evolution of its use on websites.

Abstract Illustrations

There’s something about illustrations that captures our attention. A brand that uses illustrations on their website is seen as more creative and contemporary.

It is a well-known fact that using a custom illustration style is an excellent way to make a brand stand out. Genuine illustrations are part of a brands DNA. Competitors can copy your colour scheme or typography, but not your illustration style.

With so many illustration styles around, it becomes harder for the users to match a particular style to a specific company. To make illustrations more effective, designers started to embrace more abstract illustration styles. Making abstract illustrations a web design trend of 2020.

Hero Video Headers

For a long time, web designers have had to use static imagery to convey their main idea. But the situation has changed. High-speed connections make it much easier for web designers to turn their home pages into immersive movie-style experiences.

Like a giant billboard, making your homepage hero section full height can focus your users’ attention and serve as distraction free messaging. This is a big web design trend we are seeing now.

Video engages users and they are more willing to spend time watching. Video clips used in a hero section can vary from a few seconds of looped video to full-length preview clips with audio.

Mixing photography with Graphics

Another big trend in web design December 2020 is overlapping graphics onto photography. High quality photographs already look great on their own but adding in some cool graphics will really showcase your creative flair.

Here are some of the top reasons that web designers are mixing graphics and photography:

• It’s a perfect way to add extra personality to your web design.
• Yet another way to reinforce company branding. Think of the colours & shapes used in your logo, for example.
• Adds depth and keeps website visitors engaged with your content.

Designers have also been combining real-life photos with simple illustrations replacing parts of the photo or interacting with the photo.

Micro Interactions

This year we have seen a trend in micro interactions, and they are become even more popular.

On a website, micro interactions are small animations that offer subtle feeback to users. We’re all used to seeing a link change colours when a user moves their cursor over it.

With the focus on micro interactions, that same experience can give more attention to make other elements stand out.

3D Elements

3D design elements have intrigued website users for many years now. One of the most important requirements for a successful 3D graphic is the high performance of your website.

Your platform should be fast-loading and well-optimised. If it’s not, your site won’t be able to support such heavy content. Your website may appear slow and unresponsive, and so on.

If your website is designed well with the 3D elements, then it can really make your web design stand out from your competitors and wow your audience.

Conclusion

At Reactive Graphics we make sure we stay up-to-date on the latest web design trends to keep your website design relevant like the ones mentioned in this blog post.

We recommend that you avoid implementing all the available techniques. It can overwhelm potential customers and make them leave your website. Combine several trends and web design patterns to create a unique solution that will stick out from the crowd.

Check out web design trends from previous years:

2019 | 2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2013 | 2011/12

If you require a website for your business then Reactive Graphics can help your company to correctly position itself in the marketplace.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
Or you can view our portfolio of work here.

Your brand strategy is how, what, where, when and to whom you plan on communicating and delivering on your brand messages. It will map out how you are different, trustworthy, memorable and likeable by your ideal customer. It will convey your purpose, promises and how you solve problems for people.

Research is arguably one of the most important steps in developing your brand. Don’t begin the creation of your brand until you have finalised all required research for the basis of your brand.

When developing a brand strategy, identify three core components of your business to use as a blueprint for marketing tactics; purpose, consistency and emotional impact.

Purpose: This explains why you are in business and the specific customer needs you fulfil. “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek

You can use the 3 parts to The Golden Circle to find your purpose for your business:
What – the products or services you offer to your customers
How – the things that differentiate you from the competition
Why – the reason you are passionate and why you exist

Consistency: Be able to define what allows you to provide your services day in and day out.

Emotional Impact: This is what helps form a bond or a connection between you and your customers. A brand strategy should develop this impact and build upon it.

By identifying the key components of your business and the focus of your marketing plan, you have the basis for crafting your brand strategy.

Brand identity is the way you convey this to the public with visuals, messaging and experience. Your brand strategy will influence how you present your identity and align it with your purpose for the most impact.

Even though brand identity is often confused to be the same as brand image, both are very different. Brand identity is how the brand wants its customer to perceive it. Brand image, on the other hand, is the customers’ perspective of the brand. Brands are perception – the audience’s perception, not yours. Consider the words and associations you want people to think of when they think of your business.

The elements of brand identity are both visual and non-visual. Brand design is more than just logo design. It is important to have consistent typefaces, weights and colours throughout all of the material within your business. You need to be certain of your chosen themes for your brand as you will inevitably be seeing a lot of it throughout the brands lifetime. A brand has a personality and a style, and is expressed through emotional attributes.

Brand design is more than just logo design. It is important to have consistent typefaces, weights and colours throughout all of the material within your business. You need to be certain of your chosen themes for your brand as you will inevitably be seeing a lot of it throughout the brands lifetime.

Brand design is more than just logo design. It is important to have consistent typefaces, weights and colours throughout all of the material within your business. You need to be certain of your chosen themes for your brand as you will inevitably be seeing a lot of it throughout the brands lifetime.

Brand marketing is the way that businesses or organizations highlight and bring awareness to products or services by connecting values and voice to the right audience through strategic communication. From the beginning of your business adventure, it is crucial to define your values and goals for the brand.

Effective branding is the result of understanding the audience’s needs first, and then defining the communication strategy. A successful brand does not attempt to be everything to everyone. It knows who its audience is, and appeals directly to them. Narrow down, and focus.

Most businesses tend to include branding as a marketing strategy and leave out brand marketing. The two terms may seem the same but they are different. Brand marketing seeks to work more on customer retention and satisfaction. Ideally, branding brings in the customers as brand marketing makes them satisfied and loyal to the product.

1. A brand is more than a name, a logo or an advertising campaign. A brand is a promise
2. A brand has a personality and a style, and is expressed through emotional attributes.
3. Modern consumers feel loyalty toward brands that share their value system.
4. Brands are perception – the audience’s perception, not yours.
5. Effective branding is the result of understanding the audience’s needs first, and then defining the communication strategy.
6. A successful brand does not attempt to be everything to everyone. It knows who its audience is, and appeals directly to them.

If you require a brand identity for your business then Reactive Graphics can help your company to correctly position itself in the marketplace.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can get your project off the ground!
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