Minimalism is a timeless concept. With roots dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, this refined style won the hearts of many designer throughout the centuries, through industries. And its popularity is only expected to grow.

It radiates elegance and sophistication. As such, it represents the top choice for those who want their website to leave a lasting impression. It is an absolute perfection - once assembled, there is nothing you can add to it, nor is there anything to take away.

How it all started

In order to understand its future impact, we are to look at the past of minimalistic design.

Though its first traces can be found in the first years of the last century, it really came into a limelight during the 40s and 50s when artists started to opt for bolder colors, more vivid photographs and crisp sans-serif fonts. Analysing it on a deeper level, one can notice its layout and alignment relying on a grid format which represents the foundation of the modern minimalist web design.

What it is today

To flash forward to the second decade of the 21st century, minimalistic design is in service of the people; website visitors, the audience. It aims to simplify and clarify. It shifts focus away from UI towards the UX.

Some of its more prominent elements include negative space, which is in minimalism either filled with vibrant colors, or left neutral; high quality photography, intended as the only ornaments on a seemingly simple web page, commonly overlaid with ghost buttons; unexpected typography, which in combination with outstanding photographs never seizes to amaze; simple navigation, ideal for a fast-paced world we live in today, when we’re always in need of instant answers to our needs.

However, do not fool yourself into thinking minimalism is easy to achieve; just one wrong or missing element might just make your website dull, poor and unattractive. That is why when looking to compose a perfect website, we are to be careful about choosing freelance web design services; you should be on the hunt for talent, creativity and professionalism.

Why designers love it

It provides them with a multitude of opportunities. It fits so perfectly with responsive design frameworks, puts emphasis on content and cuts the amount of information browsers need to process down to a minimum, ultimately contributing to an improved performance.

Clearly, it is the preferred and more practical choice of both ends of the funnel; users and designers alike. Will we see it evolve further? Certainly. We are to (un)see an even more unnoticable background texture. Black and white pattern will be broken by colorful elements, most commonly the combination of various shades of the same hue.

Furthermore, we are to notice more effects, light animations that are to show minimalism does not always have to be about staticity, and more asymmetrical concepts are about to get their five minutes of fame.

What the future has in store for web design

Aside from minimalism, more video content will be included, since it paints more words than any picture possibly could. Videos are all about storytelling, and it is precisely what users are looking behind a brand: its unique and memorable tale that will help website visitors identify with the brand.

We are also yet to be amazed with more vibrant hues and brighter interfaces. Originality will also be reflected in typography that will evoke emotion and help build personality.

Also, illustrations are about to become an extremely popular alternative to quality photographs; they provide designers with more creative freedom and more memorable. Long scrolling, as well, is to become a norm, as it translates well to mobile devices (and we know the future is all about the mobile). It is also one other techniques that helps tell a unique story and has the power to engage users, making them want to go further, learn more.

Now you tell us - what do you want to see in years to come?