What is Flat Design and Why Should You Care.
https://createbytes.com/insights/What-is-Flat-Design/
Universe, particularly in the last few years, flat design has been driven into mainstream. Even the large companies are now after this design approach. So, what is the reason for its growing status? Simply put, it works! Flat design can help to enhance user experience on websites and apps. This, in turn, can affect a higher number of conversions.
But first let us understand What is Flat Design?
Flat design is a user interface design approach that uses simple, two-dimensional elements and vivid colors. It is often contrasted to the skeuomorphic style that gives the impression of three dimensions through replicating real-life properties. Its popularity became famous with the release of Windows 8, Apple’s iOS 7, and Google’s Material Design, all of which utilize flat design.
Now that we are familiar with what flat design is, let us look at how it helps websites win over users.
1 Improves Readability.
One of the keystones of flat design is readability. Flat design lets users to view and get to know about website content with ease, irrespective of whether they do it on desktops or mobile devices. It replaces complex images with simplified (minimalistic) icons and vectors. Flat icons and their accompanying text make it easy for users to grasp any concept.
Moreover, flat design focus on clear typography and sans-serif fonts. The text background, too, normally includes of a single contrasting color.
2 Minimalist.
Flat design has also been influenced by Minimalism. The term “minimalism” is sometimes used interchangeably with today’s flat design, but minimalism was a popular art technique decades before the web was developed. Minimalism has history in architecture, visual art, whereas flat design takes its influence from the design and visual art expressions of minimalism. Minimalism embraces efficiency.
3. Color schemes.
Due to flat design being minimal it depends on colors more than its skeuomorphism. When it is about deciding on the color pallet for your flat design website it is important to make sure you get it right. It is common for designers to choose bold and bright colors which are fully saturated. These are often matched with the dark greys of blacks of text.
FLAT WEB DESIGN EXAMPLES
OLYMPIC STORY.
The Olympic story is a good example of how you can blend flat design with modern-day elements like a video introduction. It is quick to load, smooth, easy to use and evidently gets the message across. It uses winter related colors and flat icons along with a straightforward typography make this website stylish yet effective.
KICK DROP.
Kick drop shop is a simple website which allows clients to buy code for their website. The minimalism of this website makes it picture-perfect for a flat design theme. The flat design makes the shop simple to use and it works well across all devices and resolutions. It’s a good example of how flat design can be used in ecommerce.
RIPPLE.
Ripple is an app created for the iPhone which lets users to chat with people nearby. It’s a simple idea which is well represented by its simple website. The flat design elements match those used in iOS and the color scheme is highly saturated and bright colors with a mixture of black and white text.
Conclusion.
Flat design is a simple approach to design. It is meant to cut complexity in the design and thus improve the user experience.
Flat design has all the key characteristics that make a website as useful as it is magnificent. It brings us a step closer to a new pattern of digital design, where the functionality and visuals are in complete coordination.
