Posted by on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm.
In this rapidly developing technological world, its evident, that the Internet and web design standards have come a long way in a very short space of time. The factors contributing to this suggest thus far, a pattern of evolution not revolution, as could be said for other industries.
It is clear that the advancement of web design can be very closely related back to speed at which users can download content from the web.
The Early Days – Text Offender
In the early 90’s when the internet was beginning its ascent to widespread commercial popularity, web sites and web design were heavily text based, and therefore, purely for information purposes. Images and simple graphics were often used, but with the designer’s eye continually focusing on file size optimisation, it’s no wonder that we didn’t see stunning graphic work make its way on to the web. Hideous colour schemes, flashing graphics, page transitions and sound effects to name but a few, gave Web Designers no credibility amongst the rest of the design world.
The Bandwidth Boom
Due to the increase in download speeds, bought about by the gradual and global introduction of ASDL Broadband connections, it soon became apparent that now users could and would download larger files sizes in times far faster than ever possible before.
Over the last decade we have seen not only the widespread introduction of broadband, but also the rise in the maximum bandwidth speeds offered by ISPs. It is because of this that the internet has grown into such an important part of everyone’s life. It seems strange to thing of a time when you couldn’t stream fast loading video from almost any computer you happen to be using.
The Creative Web Designer
To be a web designer 10 years ago meant proficiency in html and laying out simple web pages with a header, navigation bar and hugely over compressed graphics. In recent years we have seen a new breed of web designer, often referred to as the Creative Web Designer. Trends in web design are now more reminiscent of trends in graphic design and capturing the same visual marketing ideas. If a web designer can’t create stunning designs, they will be fast left behind in today’s competitive market.
As a creative web designer, it seems that having good competency in HTML and other web languages is no longer enough. Skills such as Flash Animation, CSS Manipulation, Marketing Ideas, and Web Optimisation are all areas that need to be addressed if sites are to compete for the much sought after traffic.
The changing face of Apple.com from 1997 to 2009.
The Future of Web Design
One thing is certain about the future of web design; it will inevitably continue to evolve at this rapid rate for the foreseeable future. With web designers continually looking to make impact with design, its highly likely that trends will follow the medium of real life, with even more integration of images, movement and sound. The most effective way to gain attention of users is to represent information and marketing within a medium that closely reflects the human senses. Photos and images will have more of an impact than text, just like video would have more impact that photos, and further more, video with sound would have more effect than videos without sound. …I think you get my point. With the availability of bandwidth comes the power to use video technologies along with design to represent interesting and impactful messages.
I imagine we will see the increased use of videos as part of design as opposed to being confined to a square window. Bringing static photos to life with movement and user interaction, or even streaming video page backgrounds.
Whichever course the meandering river of web design trends chooses to take, it will surely be exciting and inspiring.
Related Links
- Screenshot from – Archive.org
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on June 27th, 2009 Says:
The rapid pace of change in web development technology is one of the main reasons I am a web and marketing consultant. It’s always a challenge, and there is always more to learn. Exhilarating! Most days.