What is the Future of Web Design?

This information may become an ongoing discussion, as web design seems to be dependent on many things including hardware technology, software technology and cultural changes. The overall look of websites has changed over the years as trends have come in and gone out. Mobile has brought in the need for responsive, which has created a style across most (newly designed) websites but will web design change again in future?

We could see wearables changing the landscape, along with apps becoming more centric. Could one or two platforms like Google and Facebook grow so much that they home all content in a homogeneous web?

I spoke to a number of experts in web, mobile and web design to find out their views on the direction that they expect website design to take in the coming years. As always, if you agree or disagree and have any views of your own, please do share them in the comments section below:

Mike Mitra – Art Director at Drumroll
“Web design has accommodated for the modern device, whether it be phones, wearables, or even TVs. Right now, responsive design is the best practice. A change in web trends will be dictated by the device for which they shall be seen. Right now, there’s a rise in interest with VR, progressing in wearables and rethinking how we consume media on TV. These three outputs will dictate where web design goes. ”
Lyle Jenks – Associate Creative Director at Drumroll
“The devices we use have a large impact on where web design trends have the potential to go. To build a responsive website, creative and development teams need to accommodate the lowest common denominator, and older devices force them to avoid more innovative functionality, knowing that many users won’t be able to experience it. As older devices lose support, we’ll go to a return of more interactive, innovative website designs. ”
Jason White – VP of SEO & Social at DragonSearch
“I’ve heard a number of terms thrown around – tiles, modular, cards, etc. all of which will offer users blocks of content in a structured, user-friendly way. Theses types of pages scale nicely across devices and can even mimic an app-like experience. I don’t see this changing anytime soon because the segmentation across device, browser type and screen size gets more complicated every day and the modular solution keeps the user experience on point. ”
Nico Greco, Junior Web Developer at Brolik
“Web applications include the future of web design. Web applications are a great way to give the user the feel of an application right on a website. Which is fantastic for both parties, the user never has to download anything whether they are on their phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. Also, the developer need not spend time building native applications for both iOS and Android in addition to a website.