The design trends tend to come and go. But there is a trend that seems to be timeless. We are talking about simplicity and minimalism. After decades of evolution, many current trends and also successful websites are influenced by a minimalist design. Most of the WordPress themes are simple / minimalistic and they are widely used on thousands of online projects every day!
The technologies have recorded significant growth in past decades, which means more ways to create more complex websites with useful features for visitors. Can the more complex websites overcome simplicity and minimalism in web design?
… and then has raised the minimalism
The aim of simplicity and minimalism can be described as design at its most purity, purged of redundant features, colors, shapes and textures.
Kate Meyer describes minimalism as „the goal of minimalist web design should be to present content and features in a simple, direct way by providing as little distraction from the core content as possible. This strategy often involves removing content or features that don’t support the primary goals of the interface or its users.“
The current era of minimalism began in the early 2000’s, but the root can be found in 1960’s fine art and the field of human–computer interaction. A label of trendsetter is very often given to the global giant Google. A plain homepage, few navigation options, low amount of content – simplicity all over its interfaces.
The minimalism recently
Nowadays, minimalism has exceeded, but it isn’t much different than in the past. Minimalism is often used with other design trends such as flat design, full-screen header, designers choose black and white concept with a lot of negative space.
Many e-commerce websites stick to a minimalist design strategy, the beauty of basic attracts visitors and delivers useful information. „Minimalism in moderation can create efficient user experiences, as long as you don’t lose sight of the primary goal—helping users accomplish tasks,“ says Kate Meyer.
When it comes to minimalism, people might think it’s easier because of its simplicity. Fewer elements have to provide the same experience for user with less interface.
In minimalism is quite obvious now to see an overall focus on content while other elements don’t compete or sometimes are almost hidden. It creates aesthetic balance along with functionality.
Modern minimalism tries to incorporate animations or scrolling effects. The text size is also one of the major minimalist trends. Many designers go for dramatic typography as a central point of a minimal interface. With the overall emphasis to content, typography immediately draws attention to the words. Sharp, bold style, letterform or even custom typography create an arousing visual experience.
Why the simplicity most likely remain an eternal trend?
Minimalism and simplicity are easy to incorporate and work with other designer trends and styles. It’s still taking over the web because users don’t need to think about it.
What are the reasons why simplicity will keep its timeless value?
Reason n.1: Business
Simplicity also forces people to think wisely about the website from the business point of view. You have to clear out what are you trying to convey because the fewer elements serve their purpose. The content can’t consist of thousands of words. The message you want to deliver has to be straight without useless trifles.
With a clear design and uncluttered layout, it’s easier to bring up your sales positions and also improves your conversion rate. Why? Easy and clean design helps to shine out your CTA buttons. Easy to follow tutorial with step-by-step instructions how to start a blog or how to make a website using WordPress with build in drag and drop page builder.
Minimalism pays off in a mobile environment. A designer just can’t afford to use features for small mobile screens. It’s also easier to make a minimalist website responsive when the layout is simple.
Reason n.2: User experience
Using a lot of negative space makes the website look calmer. The white color also let the layout breath. Navigation menu is simple, using only essentials and everything else can be hidden under „Read more“. This also unintentionally highlights the most important elements – product and pricing.
Minimalism still keeps symbolizing the elegance and confidence. It may evoke that you don’t need many features to approach potential customers and be successful.
Simple websites don’t need a difficult code, many JavaScript files and a lot of content which creates less HTTP request. Therefore, faster loading improves user experience and also your conversion rate.
Reason n.3: Maintenance
Clean designs thanks to fewer resources are easier to maintain. Simplicity doesn’t need full media library and many plugins that need to be updated.
Fewer resources also mean fewer storage requirements and saving space on your server which results in overall faster loading of your page.
The conclusion
Although it may seem easy for web designers, simplicity needs planning and vision in order to create an effective website and provide a legible, high-quality and professional outcome.
Simplicity and minimalist design will keep the position of an eternal timeless trend and rock the web. Most likely we will witness its changes developing in time but the roots will remain.