Flat Design

Flat Web Design – Simple, Uncluttered and User-Friendly!

Everything comes full circle, even web design. You might not have seen it yet, but there’s a brand new trend in town, and its called is flat web design. It’s sweeping the industry, and the thing is it’s actually been around since Microsoft introduced it in 2006.

So exactly what is it that makes a “flat” web design?

Flat design is seen as simple, bright solid colors, a lot of white space, and the absence of drop shadows, gradients, and textures that have been a major element of a web designer’s arsenal for some time now. Often typography plays a prominent role in flat web design. Flat web design is a “smooth” solution whose aim is to eliminate as many decorative elements of a “3D” type look as is feasible.

Why the rebellion from 3D to flat design?

There are a number of reasons why this is taking place, but possibly the most persuasive reason is that it’s an invention born out of necessity. The 2D environment that designers often have to work in, in this ever-more mobile world, necessitates economy of scale.
It’s become harder and harder to cram all you might want onto a 4-inch screen, making a 3D simulation somewhat disadvantageous and incompatible with a great user experience. Having a flat design pages load faster, are less bulky and are more responsive. In a very competitive world in which you have a few mere seconds to make an impression on and hook your visitors, every second counts.

Trend or is flat web design here to stay?

The jury is still out on that, but suffice it to say if it is a trend, elements of it may be difficult to dismiss quickly. Apple is rumored to be considering a flat design for the next operating system, the iOS7. If it does end up being a fad, the simplicity and user-friendly functionality of flat web design may give it a longer shelf life than you might think!