Since its inception, flat design has shaped the way industries, including advertising, marketing, and the larger digital landscape, have evolved. At WatermelonSeed Marketing, we believe it’s important to understand this evolution, especially since it directly impacts our service offerings such as web design and branding.
From Skeuomorphism to Flat Design
Flat design rose to prominence with its simplistic and clean nature, acting as a backlash against the prevalent skeuomorphism. Sleek, practical, and without unnecessary decoration, flat design quickly became a favorite among designers.
Why Did Flat Design Take Center Stage?
- Digital Consumer Psychology: Flat design satisfies the craving for simplicity and clarity in the digital era. It eliminates any unnecessary elements that might confuse or distract the user.
- The Rise of Minimalism: The minimalist movement in the broader design world had a significant effect on the acceptance of flat design.
- Improved Loading Times: With fewer data-heavy elements, websites embracing flat design could boast improved loading times, significantly enhancing the user experience.
Biggest Influencers of Flat Design
Arguably, two of the biggest influencers in propelling flat design were Microsoft and Apple.
Microsoft’s Metro Design Language
Introduced with Windows 8, Metro Design by Microsoft pushed flat design into the mainstream. The design ethos focused on simplicity, facilitating quick access and readability.
Apple’s Transition from Skeuomorphism
In 2013, Apple transitioned its iOS7 from complex skeuomorphic details to subtle highlights and semitransparent layers, marking its commitment to flat design.
Digital Era’s Progression of Flat Design
With the advent of the digital era and the rise of mobile usage, flat design found itself in a state of constant evolution.
Flat Design 2.0
Flat 2.0 emerged as a remedy for the issues posed by the absolute flat design. It was a merger of the best aspects of flat design with additional cues for interactive elements.
The Rise of Material Design
In 2014, Google introduced Material Design, adding depth and motion to the flat design. This iteration balances the minimal flat design style with more engaging, responsive animations.
Impact of Flat Design on the Digital Advertising Industry
Flat design is now a significant factor in the digital advertising industry, especially when it comes to creating ads that stand out while catering to modern minimalistic trends.
Improved User Experience
Flat design, with its clean lines and bold colors, offers a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate user interface. In terms of web design at WatermelonSeed Marketing, this understanding helps us create engaging, user-friendly websites.
Increased Brand Recognition
The simplicity of flat design enables the use of bold and memorable graphics that help in increasing brand recognition. This aspect is especially integral to our branding services.
Future Trends of Flat Design
At WatermelonSeed Marketing, we keep an eye on evolving trends to provide future-ready solutions. So, what’s next for flat design?
- Neumorphism, a style combining the flat design approach with real-life materials, has recently seen popularity.
- Application of flat design in AR and VR contexts seems set to grow, offering a simple yet visually appealing environment.
- Apart from these, the focus will be on fine-tuning color palettes and fonts to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in designs.
With all these elements considered, flat design appears set to remain central in the digital era.