2021 was another crazy year, but web design is all about looking to the future. Because of its relationship with technology, the digital realm can be a showcase for new innovations in animation, interaction and overall immersion each and every year. Let’s pause for a moment to wrap things up and see what the future holds by taking a sneak peek at some of the top graphic design trends for 2022 and exploring why they're on the rise.
The top 10 web design trends
Every day, an estimated 500k new sites are put online—so, when you create a website in 2022, how will you make sure yours stands out? Here are some of the trends in web design we anticipate making an impact in the upcoming year.
Clean designs
Symmetrical layouts
Serif & lightweight typography
Earthy & primary colors (with a touch of neon)
Images of real people
3D motion elements
Surrealistic visual combinations
Blur effect
Fluid gradients
Surprising interactions
01. Clean designs
Web design trends this year will push busy concepts like maximalism to the side. Compared to the demand for more in 2021, we’ll start emphasizing minimalistic characteristics and websites with a more delicate visual weight.
But don’t mistake this for all-out minimalism. It’s not the same minimalism we’re used to. 2022 will hold onto dynamism in web design, but sleekness is important, and we’re cleaning things up this year. We anticipate that the web will still see sophisticated effects—just more refined, less crowded and aiming for a smoother browsing experience.
Web design example by The Blue Denim Project
02. Symmetrical layouts
One thing’s for sure—a good website needs a harmonious composition. According to the principles of design, balance can be achieved in two ways, using symmetric or asymmetric website layouts. While asymmetrical designs ensued from last year’s obsession with organized chaos, this year's website layouts are embracing the theme of simplicity.
Like DaVinci’s Virtuivian Man, web design trends in 2022 will inspire perfectly symmetrical balance. From split pages and grid layouts, to balancing designs with imagery and text.
Symmetrical website layouts allow you to draw attention to intentional places, which is one reason why this is trending. For example, if a webpage is divided into two content blocks—half visual and half text—it’s a clean way to split the focus and tell a complete story.
Web design example by Tumult
03. Serif and lightweight typography
Offering a juxtaposition to modern vibes, serif fonts are making their way into 2022 web design trends. In the framework of typography, serif typefaces are those that include a tip at the edge of the letter’s shape, such as Times New Roman, Garamond and Georgia.
As we look around, we see more brands taking advantage of the elegance these fonts have to offer. There’s also a tangible aspect to serif typefaces that remind us of print, bringing a classic tone into this year’s design trends list.
In continuation with the minimalist trend, we can also see more designers implementing lightweight fonts into their designs: Texts are appearing big—but sophisticated. In line with the concept of colorful minimalism, the new version of boldness will come from color and typeface choice this year.
Web design example by Suvelle Cuisine
04. Earthy & primary colors (with a touch of neon)
Nature is in vogue again, and so are primary colors. Bringing a subtle tone to this year’s round of web design trends, earth inspired website color schemes are making an appearance in 2022.
Influenced by a cultural emphasis on sustainability, we’ll see an overarching focus on nature-forward designs. Society’s pursuit of sustainability and the preservation of our climate have also permeated the web design industry. What we anticipate is a mix of nature inspired hues with basic primary colors to create harmony.
Stylish neon palettes will work their way into the mix, adding a fun edge without being the leading aesthetic.
Web design example by Mikaela Rubin
05. Images of real people
Beauty ideals change every decade. Motivated by culture, history and society, it's clear that a new standard has reached the web in 2022—and diversity is it.
Inclusivity is the new normal, both in and outside the web design world, with more brands embracing images that speak to diverse backgrounds, races and ages and emphasize inclusivity.
The new set of standards resonates with everyone, and websites in 2022 should include images representing individuals from all walks of life: the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, elderly, diverse skin tones, body types, and more.
These days we are seeing many fashion houses and leading brands bringing real humans—not models and professionals—into their shows and advertisements.
By using images of real people that are similar to customers, or their friends and families, brands become relatable. Especially when it comes to eCommerce, this web design trend is a smart branding decision since more people can envision themselves using your products.
Web design example by Amber Magazine
06. 3D motion elements
Despite its already blossoming popularity in the past year, running the gamut from text components and abstract visuals to transparent videos—3D elements will be used as a design element of their own to create an effect that’s truly unusual.
It’s a trend that’s evolved. The hype around maximalist ideas in 2021 resulted in web designs using many styles of motion elements and transparent videos. But in 2022, motion will be synonymous with 3D visuals, and it will be applied with more precision.
Web design example by Yonson
07. Surrealistic visual combinations
Many websites will produce something completely out of the ordinary in 2022, going for the surprising effect of surrealistic visual combinations. Picture online stores in space, strange virtual settings and other Dali-esque imaginations.
These “out-of-this-world” compositions have major potential to capture visitors’ attention and let them get lost in your design. We’ve seen this recently with big fashion houses who are developing this trend into editorials. A good example is Balenciaga's SS '22 campaign below—the impressive creativity makes their collection stand out even more.
When thinking about how it will be applied to web design, it's important to say that it doesn’t have to be made using video. These surrealistic experiences can be created by using vibrant images on your site and combining them with interactions to create an unexpected impression.
08. Blur effect
Blurry elements are appearing everywhere, and we love this emerging web design trend for its versatility. Whether it’s blurring part of a visual, stretching or bending an image, or applying a dose of glass morphism—the blurred effect can vary in intensity, adding a subtle surprise that blends into a composition.
Using this effect this can add a sophisticated dimension to a website design, and for the adventurous web designers out there, you can level it up by using it with color.
This is really the edge of the edge, and it won’t fit just anyone. Brands that are really high end or edgy will benefit from surrealistic design, but it is very delicate and needs to be treated carefully.
09. Fluid gradients
Prominent throughout print and digital design alike—such as posters, logo design and website backgrounds—gradients are a trend with no end in the horizon. By blending multiple colors and distortions into one composition, this versatile effect continues to give brands on the web an edgy look.
10. Surprising interactions
From “scrollytelling” to animated effects that react to visitors’ actions on your site—there’s no better way to establish a sleek tone than using website interactions. In 2022, we’ll see many website designers using movement as a tool for drawing attention, but what’s truly trendy is the use of animation to achieve a minimalistic and unexpected web design.
Information can be hidden behind a certain visual element until a visitor hovers over and reveals it. This game of “hide and seek” can help maintain a website’s clean layout, hold on to information, and facilitate a surprising effect.
Pages will continue to be more minimalistic, yet dynamic and smooth. Even when it comes to the spread of animation, the movements will be clean and aimed at consuming information easily.
Web design example by Molton Brown
Happy 2022!
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash