How Website Developers Can Embrace Minimalism
User experience is the motor that drives every aspect of advertising, including web design. Users interact better with websites that have fewer, but carefully chosen, elements. Minimalistic interfaces are more creative, easier to use and therefore attractive. Here are some examples you can use to simplify your interface.
The Less-is-more Mindset
With roots in ancient Japanese architecture, minimalism was adopted in Western culture by famous architects of the 20th century. The principles of this visual design technique began to be applied in web development once visual complexity proved to produce higher bounce rates and slower loading time.
Google Search is one of the best instances of minimalism. Its website developers have designed a home page that only features the main search function, along with the Google logo. How can you do this?
No Extras
One of the main strategies website developers can use to make a minimalist interface is keeping just the elements that are really important. These essential elements have a purpose and the message can’t be understood without them. So, don’t include anything distracting.
Empty Space
A beginner website developer might be tempted to fill empty space out of a need to use everything and to boast their skills. However, negative space increases the value of the elements used, drawing users’ attention to them.
Visual Characteristics
To simplify a cluttered interface, you should use a flat texture, with no decorative elements like highlights or gradients that would otherwise create a visual hierarchy. Your images should emphasise the message, set the right atmosphere and create emotion.
Web developers should only use a limited colour scheme and high contrasts which can direct the user’s attention to the message. A dramatic typography raises interest, directs attention and adds to the meaning of the message as well.
The Techniques
The Single Focal Point
Content is key and the visual layout should emphasise the message. As such, you need just one essential concept for each page that draws the consumer’s attention and creates a strong focal area.
Important Elements First
Users are persuaded to navigate through the website by the key content that interests them, without any call to action. This content should be placed at the top part of the screen, surrounded by negative space to draw attention to it. Below this, content density can be increased.
Essential Copy
The messages used should be clear, concise and important to the consumers, with a focus on their needs. Exclude any that would otherwise make the copy difficult to understand.
Simple Navigation
A simpler navigation is functional and helps users to interact with a website without being distracted. To achieve this, you need an intuitive navigation, without useless elements.
However, hiding the navigation with an expandable menu icon might look simple, but it’s actually complex due to its low discoverability. The best solution is a navigation that’s always visible.
Functional Animation
The animation used in website development should be minimalistic as well. Keep only the essential elements that don’t overshadow the message, by using the hover-to-reveal technique. This uses negative space to its fullest potential, adding discoverability and making the user experience dynamic and fun.