http://ezinearticles.com/?Web-Design-in-2010-2011---Analysis&id=4315617
COMMENTARY
1. The days of static design visuals are dead
This is a gross overstatement and idiotic. This author is an Utopian Idealist. Most of the technologies spoken of are still in their infancy and even when they become mature, they will not replace static images in every case. The visual noise generated would be a "screech."
2. Grid-based designs, Mobile Designs, Retro Designs are gaining popularity as well.
Grid designs have always been important to ALL design. Mobile design from real surveys of real web designers show there is a resistance by designers to support small-screen technology. I anticipate mobile hardware developers will find workarounds to display traditional websites, not the other way around. Retro Designs could mean low-tech design or actual "vintage" theming. They aren't clear about this --but both are popular.
3. Print Design influence
This paragraph is obvious and been the goal of web designers for years. It's just now they can finally do some of those things. So it's not really a trend but a longed for goal.
I heard a good statement from a seminar on web design in 2011. The comment was that web designers are always trying to make "paper behind glass." That meaning the web is a different medium and shouldn't try into mimic another. Quit wasting time on pixel perfect design. The web was never intended for that type of perfection. Think of the web as a 1960's typewriter with the same limitations as far as design is concerned. This will prove less frustrating.
4. Faster and better Web browsers
Big deal! This is the natural progress of things.
5. Growth of community-oriented Platforms
I see these social places as approaching bloat and there has been some negative blow back of "disconnecting" as Twitter and Facebook become more "corporate big brother."
6. Interactive Designs
"Horizontal scroll bars have been out there for a decade, but today it feels that they are gaining a new context. The move to horizontal scroll bars is probably an attempt among some designers to provide a more distinct user experience."
Interestingly, "horizontal scroll" is real easy to do in Frames and I've been watching people struggle in complicated code to do something that is simple with "low-tech." I'd like to do something with this. I've experimented with it before. It's great for displaying side-by-side photos --like for portfolios or products.
7. Slab Typefaces
"These are relatively new as in the past logos and headers were smaller and more understated by web designers. However, combined with the trend toward larger headers, slab typefaces demand the reader to take notice."
I see this trend and I like it. It means using some built type for headlines.
8. Rich and strong Typography
This is "hoo-ha" fluffy stuff.
9. Recent trends
All most all of the trends they talk about in this paragraph are bloated fads. But I agree with one thing very much, "Introduction blocks (place the most important message of the website right there and thus make sure that readers get the message as quickly as possible.) will continue to grow in this year."
This is putting the "market positioning strategy" right up front. It key in my philosophy for HOME pages.
10. More Personalization
Uh. Not on small sites. Sorry.
