As we enter a new year, it's important to stay informed about the latest web design trends. The world of web design is constantly evolving, and staying on top of the latest trends can help set your designs apart and keep them looking fresh and modern. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular web design trends for 2023. From scrapbook and DIY design and micro-animation to pixelation, these trends are sure to make a big impact on the world of web design in the coming year.

Interactivity

Last year brought the welcome retirement of Internet Explorer and now with far better web browser support capabilities web interactivity has greatly improved. Interactive elements such as Animated cursors, micro animations, and parallax zoom scrolling can help make a website more engaging and immersive for users. This can lead to increased time spent on the site, which can help to improve SEO rankings and overall user satisfaction.

KPR Website Link

Micro-Animation

Micro-animations, also known as micro-interactions, are small animations that are used to provide feedback to users. These animations can be used to indicate that a button has been pressed, or to indicate that a piece of content is loading. Micro-animations can help to improve the overall user experience by providing visual feedback that help users understand what is happening on the website.

Button By Aaron Iker, Dribbble Link

Text-Only Hero Section

The hero section is a very prominent section of a website, often the first thing users see when they land on a page just after your logo and main menu. The trend of utilising oversized background images is becoming obsolete in the current year, with a shift towards text-based hero sections that employ large typography and minimalistic design for a striking and impactful initial impression. Adopting this trend can result in a clean and modern aesthetic, while also improving accessibility for users with visual impairments and enhancing page loading times.

image of a text only hero section
Contekst Website Link

Custom Illustrations

Instead of using Stoke Photography Custom illustrations can help to create a more unique and memorable visual identity for a website. Instead of using stock images, custom illustrations can be created to perfectly match the branding and style of a website. This can help to make a website stand out and create a strong emotional connection with users.

image of a custom illustration
Dumpling Delivery (mailchimp) Website Link

White Space

White space, also known as negative space, is the empty space between design elements. In web design, white space can be used to create a clean and uncluttered look. This can help to make a website look more modern and professional, and can also help to improve readability by making it easier for users to focus on the content.

image of white space design in a website
The Hardy Agency Website Link

Gradients

Gradients are becoming increasingly popular in web design. These colour transitions can be used to create a subtle and dynamic look. Gradients can be used as background colours, or to create more complex designs. This trend can help to create a modern and visually striking look.

image of an example of Gradients and their use in web design
ROSE Digital Website Link

Immersive 3D

Immersive 3D is becoming an increasingly popular trend in web design. This trend can help to create a more engaging and interactive user experience, and can also help to improve the overall aesthetic of a website. From 3D illustrations to 3D animations, this trend is sure to make a big impact on the world of web design in the coming year.

Cloud Castles Website Link

Overlapping Text

Overlapping text is a design trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and it is expected to continue to be a major trend in 2023. This technique involves layering text over other elements, such as images or videos, to create a dynamic and visually interesting effect. This technique allows designers to break away from traditional grid-based layouts and can be utilised to emphasise important information and add a sense of depth and movement to webpages.

an image of overlapping text in a website
Website Link

Typographic Layouts

Another trend that is expected to be big in 2023 is the use of unique and creative typographic layouts. This can include using different font sizes and weights, as well as experimenting with different typefaces and letter spacing. By using typography in unexpected ways, designers can create a sense of drama and impact on their websites.

typographic layout design image
The OS Agency Website Link

Scrapbook and DIY Design

Scrapbook and DIY design is a trend that incorporates elements of nostalgia and handmade aesthetics into web design. This can include the use of vintage or retro elements, such as old photographs or postcards, as well as the use of hand-drawn illustrations and text. This trend can give a website a unique and personal touch, making it stand out from more polished, professional designs.

scrapbook web design image
Miro "The Way We Work" website Link

Unique Cursors

Another trend that is expected to be big in 2023 is the use of unique and custom cursors. This trend includes the use of custom cursors that complement the overall aesthetic of a website and adding interactive or animated elements for an engaging user experience. This trend enhances user engagement and interactivity for website visitors.

Thought Lab Website Link

Pixelation

Pixelation is a design trend that is becoming increasingly popular, and it is expected to continue to be a big trend in 2023. This trend evokes nostalgia for the early days of the internet, and involves using pixelated images and graphics to achieve a retro, 8-bit aesthetic. This can be used to give a website a unique and playful look, and can also be used to create a sense of nostalgia.

highly pixelated design image
Contekst Website Link

3D Illustration

3D illustration is a trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and it is expected to continue to be a major trend in 2023. This technique involves using 3D rendering software to create illustrations and animations that have depth and movement. This can be used to create engaging and interactive experiences for visitors to a website.

3d illustration used in web design
The Pixelshop Website Link

Website Speed Performance

Website speed performance is an important aspect of web design that is often overlooked, but it is becoming increasingly important as more and more people access the internet from mobile devices. In 2023, it is expected that website speed performance will become even more of a priority for designers, as it can greatly impact the user experience and SEO rankings.