As technology continues to evolve, so does the world of web design. From the rise of artificial intelligence to the emergence of augmented reality, the trends of 2023 are sure to be exciting and innovative. In this blog, we’ll explore the latest web design trends that are expected to take the industry by storm in the coming years. Get ready to be inspired and amazed as we take a look at the future of web design!
One of the most important web design trends for 2023 is increased web accessibility. This trend focuses on making websites more accessible to people with disabilities. This includes making sure that websites are optimized for screen readers, providing alternative text for images, and using high-contrast colors. The benefits of increased accessibility are that it makes websites more inclusive and user-friendly.
Another popular web design trend for 2023 is minimalism. This trend focuses on creating websites that are simple and uncluttered. This includes using fewer elements on the page, using white space to create a sense of openness, and using fewer colors. The benefits of minimalism are that it makes websites easier to navigate and more aesthetically pleasing.
Augmented reality is another trend that is gaining traction in the web design world. This trend focuses on creating immersive experiences for users. This includes using 3D elements, virtual reality, and interactive elements. The benefits of augmented reality are that it makes websites more engaging and interactive.
Dark mode is a web design trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years. This trend focuses on using dark colors and shades to create a more immersive experience for users. Benefits of dark mode include improved user experience, increased engagement, and better search engine rankings.
The Y2K aesthetic is a trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years. This trend focuses on creating websites that have a retro, futuristic feel. This includes using bold colors, geometric shapes, and glitchy effects. The benefits of this trend are that it makes websites look unique and eye-catching. We even see the Y2K aesthetic making a comeback in the world of music and on TikTok trends.
Loading animations are another trend that is becoming more popular in web design. This trend focuses on creating animations that are used to indicate that a page is loading. This includes using GIFs, videos, and other animations. The benefits of loading animations are that they make websites more engaging and entertaining.
Lightweight, efficient websites are becoming increasingly important in web design. This trend focuses on creating websites that are fast and easy to use. This includes using smaller images, compressing files, and optimizing code. The benefits of lightweight, efficient websites are that they make websites faster and more user-friendly.
Kinetic typography is a trend that is becoming more popular in web design. This trend focuses on creating animations that are used to convey a message. This includes using text, images, and videos to create animations. The benefits of kinetic typography are that it makes websites more engaging and entertaining.
Cinemagraphs are another trend that is gaining traction in web design. This trend focuses on creating animations that are used to convey a message. This includes using text, images, and videos to create animations. The benefits of cinema graphs are that they make websites more engaging and entertaining.
Color gradients are a trend that is becoming increasingly popular in web design. This trend focuses on creating color schemes that are used to create a sense of depth and movement. This includes using two or more colors to create a gradient effect. The benefits of color gradients are that they make websites more visually appealing and eye-catching.
As you can see, there are many web design trends for 2023. These trends focus on making websites more accessible, efficient, and visually appealing. By incorporating these trends into your web design, you can create a website that is both user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
The Current State of Virtual RealityVirtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings. Chances are, you’ve heard of it before. Between the recent success of the Oculus 2 and Facebook’s pivot to Meta in order to push the Metaverse, VR technology is on its way to becoming an absolute force in the tech industry. In this blog, we will walk you through the history of VR. Then we’ll dive into Meta’s “quest” to revolutionize the industry. Let’s get started…
Virtual Reality is far from a new trend. In fact, it’s been around since the 90’s with the earliest attempt being then gaming giant, Sega with a brief demo at 1993 Consumer Electronics Show. The project was canned before its release. There were other competitors trying to cash in on VR early including Sony. The technology was not there yet. It wasn’t until a few decades later in 2012 when a small tech startup called Oculus emerged with a crowdfunded kickstarter campaign to create a high end VR headset with big names backing it. Id Software’s co-founder, John Carmack. endorsed the project and the fundraising campaign raised more than 10 times its original goal of $250,000. The oculus project released to consumers in 2016 to the tune of $599. Given the high price, sales were not exactly through the roof. Even though the Oculus wasn’t initially a gargantuan commercial success, it broke the VR Market wide open. Eventually new players entered the VR market including HTC and Sony.
Fast forward to today and VR is much less of a novelty. VR gaming headsets are becoming more popular. The progression of technology has allowed for lighter headset equipment, more computing power, and accessibility functions. The future of VR seems up for grabs. And no one seems more eager to grab all of it than Mark Zuckerberg.
The Meta Quest Pro was revealed on October 12th this year to very mixed reviews. For starters, the $1500 price tag is hefty enough to make even the most zealous early adopters a little squeamish. Though most VR plans revolve around gaming, Zuckerberg envisions the Meta Quest Pro as more of a business communication tool. He wants to replace Zoom meetings with VR meetings. He wants to position the Meta Quest as a B2B tool. Though these lofty goals have been met with scathing reviews:
“The problem is, the Quest Pro isn’t very good. It’s a device seemingly launched without plan or purpose, highlighting VR’s persistent drawbacks without making good use of its strengths — and topped off with some irredeemably bad software. We might be seeing a roadmap for where Meta is going, but right now, it’s not a particularly fun place to be. And if Meta lingers there much longer, its metaverse is in trouble” – Adi Robertson, The Verge
One of the main complaints about the new Meta Quest Pro is that it’s heavy and clunky and that the software is abysmal. Even the Meta employees who developed the product were iffy about it…
In a memo to employees from Meta’s VP of Metaverse, Vishal Shah, the executive wrote, “For many of us, we don’t spend that much time in Horizon and our dogfooding dashboards show this pretty clearly. Why is that? Why don’t we love the product we’ve built so much that we use it all the time? The simple truth is, if we don’t love it, how can we expect our users to love it?”
Vishal Shah raises a great question. If Meta employees don’t love it. How can they expect users to love it? The main pain points they need to work on is the disorientation that the headsets cause. Because of the weight of the headset and the nature of VR, many users have reported becoming nauseous after repeated use. This is definitely an issue that needs to be resolved before VR can truly take over. The next big hurdle is simply the price. The top barrier to VR adoption is that it’s too expensive, with 55% of survey respondents listing this as their hesitation.
Just because Meta isn’t currently seeing high returns for their lofty investment in VR, doesn’t mean it can’t be a lucrative endeavor. In fact, Here are a few interesting statistics about VR technology…
With numbers like these, the future of VR is solidified. So what can we learn from Meta’s mistakes and triumphs? For one, VR needs more time in the oven. The technology needs to be at a place where the headsets can be offered at a more reasonable price. Not many are jumping at the idea of spending close to $2,000. Secondly, the software needs to be flexible so that there is a smooth transition between people using Zoom and people using Meta Quest. The ultimate goal would be to create a virtual workspace sophisticated enough to make up for some of the disadvantages of remote work. Imagine a space where you get to interact with your remote coworkers in a way that’s more engaging than a few questionable emojis and the occasional Zoom call. The future is bright for VR. The only real question is, how far into the future are we talking?