Web design can be said to have enjoyed a good run during 2018. 
It was a period in which technological advancements birthed better ways of connecting with web users. New styles emerged that push the envelope, and there was a focus shift to accessibility guidelines and related documentation. All these new things were geared towards making the online space more accessible and consistent for all users.
As we go further into the new year, there is a need to take a breather and reassess things. The many developments can come up and more that are on the way mean that there are some that will prove useful and others that will fail to make the cut. This guide from Leapfrog Internet Marketing lists what you can expect to be trendy in 2019.
1. Flat Design
It is a minimalistic approach to web design that entails the use of open spaces complemented with bright colours, a clean two-dimensional form of illustration. It may not be new even though it featured strongly in 2018. It is a design style that had a somewhat shaky start by it quickly gained traction over the years and is a trend that you will expect to see in 2019. One of the reasons for the flat design in the development of a website is that it allows for a fast loading time, thus supporting convenient browsing experience on both desktop and mobile devices. Its effectiveness (fast loading time) lies in the use of less data-heavy illustrations.
2. Organic Shapes
An uneven and irregular form often define organic shapes; that means they are not perfect. In web design, such shapes will appear somewhat humanistic. They tend to exude an unusual appearance that projects a personable touch and can grab the attention of online users. If used creatively and combines with an image or illustration, such shapes can evoke some depth to a site, breaking up the dreariness of usual squares and circles that are almost a standard in the design of most websites.
3. White Space
Website design is slowly but surely moving more towards the minimalistic way of doing things. Much of what is done is based on a “less is more” angle. As such, expect to see more sites with clean, simple layouts that embrace plenty of white space (negative space). For the web developers, it is more or less, the breathing room that breaks the flow between different sections on a page thus improving readability. The impact of this is that users will find it easier to find and digest the information they seek.
4. Conversational Bots and Machine Learning
Chatbots have gained significant prominence in how people converse online. They have become second nature and are a product based on AI technology. The auto-suggestions that Googles gives users every day are a perfect example of this tech. Even social media platforms such as Facebook have jumped onto the bots’ wagon. The benefits of using conversational bots in running an online business include:
- Enhanced communication that is convenient to all by ensuring there is an instant response based on the subject matter.
- Improved efficiency in transition between one case and the next for a fast response time.
5. Animated GIFs
Today’s generation seeks instant gratification in whatever they do. As such, they expect the same when searching for information online. Therefore, you have a limited window of time to attract and capture the online user’s attention as you strive to provide what they are looking for. GIFs will be the features that shine the most when it comes to capturing the attention of people. They can convey the most complex of ideas in the most straightforward and shortest possible way that is both entertaining and engaging.
6. Broken Grid and Asymmetrical Layouts
The need to ensure there are alignment and consistency in the designing of a website has seen developers adhere to a grid system. The use of the grid simplifies things and help bring the various elements of a site to life. However, 2018 so a notable shift from this standard and more web designers are expected to break out of the grid in 2019. The change is geared towards having creative freedom in the development of websites that will see the birth of intriguing and uniquely innovative designs.
The above trends point to one thing, a shift from the norm to a web design concept that embraces practical minimalism. The above trends will be among the many website design strategies that will be prominent in 2019 and the year that follows.