1. Elaborate Illustrations
There’s just something about an elaborate illustration that draws the eye into a design. There’s a need to see all of the details and understand the intricacy of each line. Whether it’s a “designer thing” or not, illustrations are an interesting way to draw users into a website design. The more elaborate the illustration, the more custom and unique it can feel as well. This is an effective way to create a one-of-a-kind project. And there are so many different ways to do it. Growcase uses icon-style illustrations to draw users into the portfolio. Emit Ayouni has a distinct style with each of the creations that makes users want to scroll and explore.![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/growcase.jpg)
![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/ester.jpg)
![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/icosynd.jpg)
2. Distinct Panels
When talking about website projects, do you catch yourself referring to things in “screens?” This concept is becoming more common and the designs reflect it. More websites feature distinct panels that fit on the screen or come pretty close. These screens help contain and organize bits of content as well as provide a methodology for stacking and reorganizing content on different screen sizes. These panels make it all look seamless to the user. Adaptable uses a series of panels that alternative between full width and split screen. Note that you get a glimpse of the next set of panels from the current location.![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/adaptable.jpg)
![vanc](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/vanc.jpg)
![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/blindspotting.jpg)
3. The Color Purple
Extravagance, regality, creativity, wisdom, dignity, mystery and independence. These are all words that describe the color purple. People often have a distinct emotional connection to this hue – they either love it or hate it. Because of this, it’s not a widely used color in a lot of design projects. Designers tend to stay away from colors that some people just don’t like. But there is a certain something to projects that feature purple elements as the examples below show. With the right messaging and content, using the color purple can be a powerful design tool that helps communicate just the right thing. When using purple — whether as a background, accent or foreground element — make sure to think about how the color communicates in relationship to what the design should say overall. Do the messages match? If so, then purple might be just the right design trend for your projects. Each of these websites uses the trend exceptionally well: Colorz uses a purple circle to help users “peek” into the background. The element is really just a focal point to draw users into the messaging.![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/colorz.jpg)
![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/crescosa.jpg)
![swatch](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2018/08/verity.jpg)
Conclusion
The websites featured above are a great examples of how many design trends work with each other. Many of the most successful trends aren’t wide-scale use of elements or design techniques but subtle strokes. Click through the examples and you’ll see quite quickly how many of these design feature multiple trends without being overwhelming or “too trendy.” What trends are you loving (or hating) right now? I’d love to see some of the websites that you are fascinated with. Drop me a link on Twitter; I’d love to hear from you.Carrie Cousins
Carrie Cousins is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience in the communications industry, including writing for print and online publications, and design and editing. You can connect with Carrie on Twitter @carriecousins.
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