Flat web design seems to be the trend nowadays. The takers of drop shadows, brush strokes and such other effects seem numbered. But before you decide to incorporate it into your design philosophy, it’s essential to have a clear idea about it.
The concept isn’t anything new; it involves the use of flat shapes such as squares, rectangles, circles and so on as well as flat icons in the web design. And it avoids the use of gradients, shadows, strokes and such other effects.
Want to have a good idea of how a flat design looks? Check out these list of 25 websites incorporating flat designs. With a series of simple icons, visuals and shapes, it has integrated flat design elements with the best results. But it doesn’t make the look any less interesting.
As you are sure to understand, websites aren’t viewed only on PC and laptops anymore. Tabs and Smartphones have changed the way web designs need to work. And it is this change that makes flat designs the norm of the day.
Limitation of screen space makes it essential that every element of the design is simple – be it the icons or the images. Flat designs let go of intricate design elements that affect the performance of the site, especially on mobile devices.
The easily recognizable styles of simple elements are better appreciated by the viewers of today. The absence of gradients, shadows, strokes and so on quicken image loading times, making it easier to view every element.
Simplicity of the elements used in flat design and wide spacing between them makes it much easier to comprehend every part of the site. This enhances the readability of the text on the page and makes images and icons stand out.
Incorporation of flat design isn’t tough; just keep in mind the basics.
Keep it simple, silly!
Visual simplicity is the first tenet of flat design. Be it the images or the icons, the emphasis is on straightforwardness. Without doubt, it creates a simple to comprehend and easy to use user interface.
Uncomplicated symbols are used within basic geometric shapes such as squares or circles to convey meanings. An envelope inside a square implies messages. That’s it. No gradients, strokes, or any other special effects. It aids recognition too.
Minimalism is the key to success.
Just as a cluttered room suffocates the occupants, a cluttered webpage stifles your viewers. Take a good look at it; which elements are absolutely necessary? Which elements you can do without?
Once you have separated the two, get rid of the elements that aren’t necessary. Add a lot of white space to give your viewers a chance to catch a breath. Once you do away with the clutter, it will be much easier to go on with the arrangement of the rest.
Depth doesn’t do
Skeuomorphism has ruled the roost for quite some time. Use of design elements to create a web page similar to a real world object is best seen on sites such as My Pizza Oven. The icons on iOS6 also use this principle.
But the use of brush strokes, gradients and shadows, embosses and such other element to create 3D images and icons isn’t the trend today. Instead, the focus is on 2D images that don’t make use of the creation of imitations of real world objects.
Candy colors are cool
Flat design makes use of flat images and icons, but that doesn’t make it any less colorful or any less attractive. The absence of depth makes it all the more essential that the right colors are used in the right manner.
Keep in mind, a lot depends on your choice of colors. Choose the ones that capture the imagination. But not the ones that glare. Candy hues are ideal, as they add the creative touch to the design without overpowering it.
Calligraphy doesn’t work
Long gone are the days when cursive scripts with designer fonts looked best for web design. Flat design is all about simplicity. And calligraphy isn’t really ideal to enhance readability either.
Opt for clear, crisp fonts that are easy to read. Add ample blank space around the text to make it readable with ease. And keep the messages short. Play up with font and background colors to enhance clarity.
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