It’s May 2010 and design has keep evolves, designers keep producing cool and awesome looking patterns of design but have you done the same?

It’s time to pack away the old, worn web designs and prepare for the brave, new face of tomorrow. To be honest, trends don’t start and stop, there is a definite shift from what we craved at the beginning of the year to what we are seeking tutorials for at the end of the year. Most of the time, this shift is subtle. It’s all about perfection and implementation of currently hot trend.

As for Websifu, trends help us evolve as designers. As we master the skills of design aesthetic, we continue to push forward to what’s next or what needs to be fully discovered. We need to be beyond of others not only in producing awesome designs but also at our perception towards the evolution of design industry.

Make no mistake about it; you will recognize the ideas behind these trends. Although this list isn’t a drastic change from what was popular in 2009, it marks special trends that will be stretched upon and made better as a result. As you think of how you will integrate new trends into your designs and focus on the main idea of each trend. Be encouraged to dabble into these trends so that you become part of the movement.

1. Huge Headers, Images and Logos

Splash pages are outdated. Today trend is all about impression and for that reason you can see many websites are designed with bigger header, images and logo. But why?

Simply because they want you to remember their website.

2. CSS Replaces Table

In 90′s design are made of table(s) but today its called table-less or CSS. Why? Here’s why…

• Faster page loading
• Lowered hosting costs
• Redesigns are more efficient
• Redesigns are less expensive
• Visual consistency maintained throughout website(s)
• Better for SEO
• Accessibility
• Competitive edge (job security)
• Quick website-wide updates
• Easier for teams to maintain (and individuals)
• Increased usability
• More complex layouts and designs
• No spacer gifs
• Easy Customization
• Cross Browser

3. Fancy but Readable Fonts

In the last decade, most web sites were designed in either Verdana or Arial (sans-serif fonts), but that is going to change in this new decade. As from my experience Trebuchet and Serif fonts will get more attention because of its clarity or/and looks good.

4. Sketch or Hand-drawn Design

This has become one of the trends now. Many website owners like this kind of website. They claimed it looks more relax and normal. Rather than a site that look more towards selling or buying.

5. Texturized Background

The big background trend is going to be out-of-date and be replaced with subtle and texturized (particularly the light noise) background.

6. Trendy and useful

Many websites are developed for just the sake of having it. But the trend are changing rapidly now due to the web exposure. Internet has become major influence to this and that’s why many website owners are looking into revamping their website for better purpose.

7. Website Is No Longer One-Off Project

Those days are over where once developed a website you’re off. Today any website requires constant improvements. This is because if you’re looking into expanding your business market coverage then your website definitely needs to be on par with the current trend and technologies. Example: I believe you heard before Twitter and Facebook. So, are you into it? If not then its time because you’re missing a lot of free traffic and business opportunity.

8. Website Design With SEO

Cool and eye-catching design won’t do without SEO (search engine optimization). Today every design must (mostly) come with SEO. You need to optimize every part of your website to make sure you can be found through search engines. No matter what kinds of marketing you do, still organic traffic is the main traffic that can generate you sales.

9. Rounded Borders and Box Shadows

Border-radius and box-shadow are the most commonly used today. No more box kind of website that looks kind of weird.

10. Text Shadow, RGBA & Opacity

A lot of designers are using text shadow to add more depth to text. Also they use RGBA makes setting background opacity easier. I think more designers are going to take advantage of this feature to create semi-transparent effect.

11. Typography

Typography is young, but will continue to be a part of web design. It is one of the most difficult trends to tackle which is why it will remain fresh in 2010. The main idea of typography is the mixing varying font sizes together is completely unthinkable which are meant to be explored, twisted, and molded to fit your purposes and that is why many designers are find it hard and afraid to use. With the proper mixing and placement, a website that utilizes Typography as its main design element will be more interesting to a reader than overloading the same site with tons of photos.

12. Mobile Design

iPhone has captured everyone’s heart. Since the release of iPhone in 2007, everyone is talking about mobile design. Now with more smart phones that support full CSS and JavaScript, mobile design is definitely going to be the future of web design. A lot of sites are offering a mobile version.

13. One Page Layouts

One pay layouts are moving away actually. Just like a business card, when you find it boring enough you will just dump it away. This type of website suitable for personal profiles, resume or not corporate business.

14. WordPress Replaces Static HTML Pages

WordPress has become one of the main website platforms today that has the flexibility to integrate a lot of tools, widgets or plugins. It has become very powerful with its own admin area to manage content like a CMS. As for now it’s still evolving and to use it as a business website is recommended. Many business owners have started using it.

15. Loads Faster

Any website must loads within few seconds. Recent survey shows visitors will leave the site if not loading within 5 seconds. Getting visitors to the site is one issue but to retain them is the biggest issue that you must deal and it can be done when your site load fast enough for viewing.

16. Interactive Design

Flash has seen better days. There was a time when you couldn’t visit a website without running into an annoying Flash interface. But today you can see flash in much more professional and that loads fast. Flash is the best when it comes to interactivity and for that reason it will make a comeback. Due to the web user are more average all the designs currently are slightly more intuitive than in the past.

There you go some of 2010 website design trends. If you have more tips share it please.

Cheers!

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