Let's take a look at the emerging web design 'trends' in 2024 that you could apply to your website to make it fresh, interactive, more modern, fun, and increase user-experience.
These trends don't necessarily need to be added to your 'must-do' list for your website, this is simply my take on what's happening in the world of web design in 2024. Some of these elements/features may not be suitable for your website, and some of them may work great, so let's dive in to part 1 of this series!
Web Design Trend 1: Micro-interactions
A micro-interaction on a website refers to a small, subtle, and often brief visual or functional element designed to provide feedback, guidance, or enhance the overall user experience. These interactions are typically focused on a specific task or action and are designed to make the user interface more engaging, intuitive, and responsive.
What's the purpose of micro-interactions?
Feedback: They provide users with instant feedback about their actions. For example, a button changing color or displaying a brief animation when clicked indicates that the action was successful.
Guidance: Micro-interactions can guide users through a process or highlight important elements on a page. This helps users understand the interface and navigate more effectively.
Engagement: By adding small, interactive elements, websites can make the user experience more engaging and enjoyable. This can contribute to a positive perception of the site.
Visual Appeal: Micro-interactions can enhance the visual aesthetics of a website, making it more modern and appealing. Animation, transitions, and other dynamic elements contribute to a more polished design.
Some examples of micro-interactions include hover effects on button - for example, when a user hovers over or clicks a button, it might change color, size, or display a subtle animation to indicate interactivity. like this one on my website:
Or this cool animated hover feature by designer Cameron Sagey over on Dribbble:
Other types of micro-interactions include:
Form Validation: As users fill out a form, micro-interactions can provide real-time feedback on the validity of the entered information, such as turning the border of a text box red for incorrect input.
Loading Animations: Instead of a static loading icon, websites may use micro-interactions like spinners, progress bars, or other animations to convey the loading process.
Concept from Dribbble, created by Gal Shir
Toggle Switches: Switching between different states or options using toggle switches is a common micro-interaction.
Wobble, shrink, grow, fade, bounce, bob, push up, push down etc animation: When you hover over an icon and it does a little wobble, or moves in some way. Simple and fun.
Cursor effects: A cursor effect refers to visual changes or animations that occur when a user interacts with their cursor (mouse pointer) on a website or digital interface.
GIFS
Word or paragraph slide-in animations
Here are some awesome examples of websites that use micro-interactions in a really fun way that suits their brand:
PhageLab
With blobby microbes floating in the background, bright colors, and animations of bacteriophages in action, Phage Lab uses micro-interactions to show off how their technology works in a way that feels active and fun.
Shine Copy
Rachel's website is full of really micro-interactions that don't take the attention of the user away from the content, such as subtle word slide-ins and drop-ins, image turn-ins, highlighted words, button colour change on hover, fade-in text, and typewriter text animation.
Micro-interactions contribute to the overall user experience by making interactions more intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing. When implemented thoughtfully, they can create a more user-friendly and enjoyable website interface.
Will you try adding some micro-interactions on your website in 2024?