You may have noticed a shift in the digital world recently, where websites and brand identities have been stripped back to a very simple, minimalistic design.
Minimalism has been “in” in the design world for a number of years, but it has only just started to appear on the web. While the trend’s stripped back look and feel might not be right for all applications, there are some principles that can be applied to any design project.
1. Easy Navigation
Having too many elements in a website design can be confusing – and frustrating – for users. Cluttered, busy layouts make it difficult to work out where to go to find the information or functions they’re looking for.
With more people using smart phones and tablets as their primary internet access source, there is a real need for information to be displayed clearly on the smaller screen size and suit the “swipe” style browsing habits of the modern internet users.
2. Faster Reading
Studies have proven that people don’t spend the same amount of time paying attention to detail on digital displays as they do when reading print material. They tend to scan the page quickly rather than taking in every word. Pairing the content back to well written basic copy means that people are more likely to take notice of what the website is trying to tell them.
3. Easier to Keep Up To Date
One way that designers can minimise the wordiness of website copy is to hide older stories. News websites have been doing this for some time, as have bloggers and other digital publishers. Typically a handful of up to the minute or particularly newsworthy articles are highlighted, with older content condensed into a list view.
4. It’s Trustworthy
Just as a cluttered layout can frustrate or confuse users, it can also make them wary about what you’re actually offering. A minimalistic approach can help instil confidence in the organisation as site visitors don’t feel that they are trying to hide anything or go for the ‘hard sell’.
It’s just a simple, ’this is what we do and how we can help you' style of approach that makes people feel they can trust the organisation.
5. It’s An Art Form
There is a fine line between a minimalist design and having your website look unfinished. If you’re thinking about stripping back the look of your web page, it’s advisable that you contact a digital marketing agency like Simple to manage your redesign. Professional designers can create the look and functionality you need while ensuring that your website remains on brand with clear messaging.
The old adage ‘less is more’ can translate into a really effective – yet still aesthetically pleasing – web design principle. The internet can be a very busy place with multiple messages being broadcast simultaneously. Taking a clean, simplistic approach is sometimes the best way to make sure that your website stands out.
Have you seen any great examples of minimalist web design done well?
