When creating a website, many beginners encounter the challenge of choosing the right design. Today, there are six main web design styles to consider: informational design, minimalism, business style, promotional style, Flash design, and Web 2.0 design. Below, we’ll explore the characteristics of each.
Minimalism
Minimalism is characterized by logic and simplicity. Key elements include:
- Absence of images, with exceptions like the site’s logo
- Black text on a light background
- Use of no more than two fonts
- Text-based navigation
- Minimal decorative elements
When designing in this style, special attention should be paid to usability and content. A prime example of minimalist design is the Google search engine.
Informational Design
Informational design can be seen as an evolution of minimalism, incorporating all its distinctive features with a touch of minimal graphic embellishment. It’s commonly used on news websites. An example of informational design is Lenta.ru.
Promotional Style
Promotional style is used for creating vibrant and colorful sites aimed at promoting products or services. Key characteristics include:
- Heavy use of graphics
- Bright colors
- Glossy visual effects
Cosmetics company websites, such as Avon, are typical examples of promotional style.
Flash Design
Flash design emerged with the advent of high-speed internet connections, but its development is limited by difficulties with search engine indexing. Flash design is often used for interactive magazines and presentations, both for small and large companies. It features extensive use of music, video, and visual effects.
Business Style
Business style is focused on selling products or services and is the basis for many free templates available online. Key features include:
- Fixed page width
- Standard layout of site elements
- Presence of banner ads
eBay is a classic example of business style.
Web 2.0 Design
Web 2.0 design emerged relatively recently and is widely used in blogs and social networks. It followed the development of Ajax technology, which allows for loading data without refreshing the entire page. Distinctive features of Web 2.0 design include:
- Absence of a large header
- Tag clouds
- Non-standard module placements
- Text-based contextual advertising
- Use of rounded corners
- Larger font sizes
An example of Web 2.0 design is the blogging service Blogger.com.