2010: the web design trends | part 3

10. Enormous footer

An enormous footer is now an inseparable part of a contemporary web site design. Yet, in 2010 it will become even bigger and impressive than ever. This year’s footer will no longer be that necessary but sincerely boring web design element and will be successfully integrated in a web site layout and functionality. An oversized footer will attract visitors’ attention not only for its exaggerated sizes but also for the informal information it will provide: social network updates, news, Flickr photo stream.

Main idea: Enormous footers will not contain important information but the information it will provide will be of much personal character that the rest in the site and will be useful for corporate communication with its audience.

11. Retro style

Retro is new web design fashion. Although many web designers admire the trend, most of them may find it difficult to warmly embrace the style because to create a really outstanding retro design, they need to neglect (even for a while) their professional strive for innovation and new web techniques. The key to the success here is to get inspiration in retro style tone and underlying playfulness. In 2010 retro design will get new meaning for designers will find new ways to honour it.

Main idea: retro is new!

12. Intro boxes

Boxes for simple and friendly introduction like: “Hello, my name is ….“ will get useful application in 2010 web sites. More and more designers are getting to appreciate its simplicity and the strong impression it makes to customers. Wondering whether to have an “About us” page or an intro box, you’d better choose the second one. Intro boxes are a necessity when you’re obliged to put lots of information in little space. During this year, intro boxes will have creative design and will be situated at surprising places.

Main idea: Intro boxes are extraordinary way to say: “Hello”

13. Magazine layout

As more and more people migrate from the comforts of traditional press to online infotainment, designers are challenged to make this transition easier. There is a deliberately searched move toward the magazine layout. Information is carefully organized on a single home page, giving the visitor an opportunity to find the topic they are interested in. In 2010, magazine layout will be used mainly for blog design.

Main Idea: Magazine layouts will be used for infotainment sites.