Contents

1.

Introduction.......................................................................................................... 2

2.

2015 Website Trends.............................................................................................. 2

2.1.

Sticky Menus.................................................................................................. 2

2.1.1.

Description and purpose of the trend.........................................................2

2.1.2.

Real World Examples:...............................................................................2

2.2.

No more boxes................................................................................................ 3

2.2.1.

Description and purpose of the trend.........................................................3

2.2.2.

Real World Examples:...............................................................................3

2.3.

No chrome................................................................................................... 4

2.3.1.

Description and purpose of the trend.........................................................4

2.3.2.

Real World Examples:...............................................................................4

2.4.

Flat Design.................................................................................................. 5

2.4.1.

Description and purpose of the trend.........................................................5

2.4.2.

Real World Examples:...............................................................................5

2.5.

Split Screens............................................................................................... 6

2.5.1.

Description and purpose of the trend.........................................................6

2.5.2.

Real World Examples:...............................................................................6

3.

Conclusion............................................................................................................ 6

4.

References............................................................................................................ 7

1. Introduction
This report investigates new trends (2015) that could be used in a website to ensure that there
is a strong focus on its content, it is captivating to the human eye and allows easy navigation to
content. Over the last few years, companies have realized that all people do not have the same
understanding of content when it is presented to them. Companies then made use of different
web design trends to enhance the function of their websites. This function consisted of colours
and designs enjoyed by the user and content that s timely and easily accessible. The purpose of
this investigation is to determine which current five web design trends would provide users with
information that is content driven, attractive and enables easy navigation on the website. This
report analyzes Flat Design and No More Boxes for attraction purposes, Sticky Menus as an
easy navigation tool and Split Screens and No Chrome to ensure that the information on the
website is content driven.
2. 2015 Website Trends
2.1. Sticky Menus
2.1.1. Description and purpose of the trend
Sticky Menus are one of many navigation menus which web designers use to enable the
website user easily navigate their way around the website. The purpose of this type of menu is
to remain locked to the top of the screen whether the user scrolls up or down the screen.
According to Joanna Krenz Kurowska (The big web design trends for 2015, p.), It works well on
one- pagers with lots of content.
2.1.2. Real World Examples:
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking website that enables different people from various locations to
connect, share and communicate with one another. The Facebook Company uses Sticky Menus
as a navigation system for its users to find their way to any page that they want to be on,
whether its the Home page or their Profile page. The point is that Facebook users do not have
to scroll all the way back up to where they were to find the Menu Bar. The Sticky Menu
navigation tool has been successful in creating an easy navigating platform for all types of
users, allowing them to move from the one page to the other by a click of a button, without
having to scroll.
Decibel Insight
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Decibel Insight is a company which provides other companies with a set of tools that explains
visitors behavior on their specific websites and in addition illustrates what can be done to make
the use of the site more efficient for the user. This company makes use of Sticky Menus to
categorize different portals to which the user of the site can be directed to. Whether the user is
at the top or at the bottom of the page, he or she is able to click with the mouse on any of the
portals because the menu bar moved with the page as the user scrolled.
YouTube
YouTube is a company that provides a service which allows users to share videos that are
uploaded by themselves or posted by other users. This website also enables the user to scroll
up or down the webpage with the menu bar glued to the top of the page. The purpose of
YouTube as a company using a Sticky Menu is so that the user can obtain the advantage to
click in the search tab or on the upload button at any time, without them having to scroll all the
way up to the top of the page. Easy accessibility is essential for any website user. In other
words, if YouTube had not incorporated a Sticky Bar onto their website, the user would have
found the upload or sharing of videos on this site time- consuming or even difficult.
2.2. No more boxes
2.2.1. Description and purpose of the trend
The trend No more boxes involves creating websites that do not look as if they are being
displayed inside of a rectangular shape. Usually, when a website is created, information is
placed alongside the edges on the screen. Web designers are now breaking away from this
norm by ignoring the sides of the computer screen and using different shapes such as
hexagons. The purpose of this trend is to create a unique website, and to give the web designer
an undefined space to display information.
2.2.2. Real World Examples:
Lorenzo Bocchi
Companies can use various methods to avoid creating websites that look as if they fit into a
rectangular shape. Firstly, a box/the rectangular shape can be avoided by displaying objects in
different angles on the screen. By doing this, the website shows definition and a 3D effect is
created. Lorenzo Bocchi display magazines on their website. However, the magazines look as if
they are slanted and have been placed on a table. This is called an axonometric view. This
unique setup creates the illusion of space and a real life atmosphere. Also, the table looks as if it
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would continue beyond the boundary of the computer screen which ignores the rectangular
shape.
The Rosa
Secondly, a box can be ignored on a website by using different shapes along the edges of the
screen. This method has been used by a company called The Rosa. On the companys website,
a table is used as a background image. Various items are then displayed on the table as 2D
shapes. The items, however, are scattered around the screen on the table. By doing this, the
outline of a box cannot be seen and the company has succeeded in creating a real-life
atmosphere.
Swiss Airlines
Lastly, a box can be ignored by creating an illusion of space and movement. On Swiss airlines
website, an aeroplane is displayed in the sky and is surrounded by clouds. This setup creates a
feeling of being in the air instead of looking at a flat screen. The clouds are flowing and look as if
they would continue beyond the computer screen, which ignores the outline of a box. By
applying any of these methods, companies can use the No more boxes trend and avoid
creating websites in rectangular shapes.
2.3. No chrome
2.3.1. Description and purpose of the trend
In order to use No chrome, websites should eliminate additional information such as headers
and footers which could distract the user from seeing the main content. The purpose of this
trend is to draw the users attention to important information on the website.
2.3.2. Real World Examples:
Dury Buildings
There are many ways in which this trend can be used in a website. Web designers can remove
chrome by only displaying information that the reader can use. For example, Dury Buildngs, an
Italian restaurant, only has the menu and contact details of the company displayed. There is no
other information that may distract the user.
Braun

Another way of removing chrome is to keep the website simple and to only display content that
the company wants the user to see. For example, Braun only displays a gallery and menu.
Users are thus able to easily find desired information and scroll through the content without any
distractions.
Foreward
Furthermore, chrome can be removed by displaying the companys name in the center of the
website and the menus below it. This setup has been used by a company called Foreward. The
user can immediately find the menu to navigate through the website to obtain the required
information. Companies can therefor use various ways to apply No chrome to their websites.
2.4. Flat Design
2.4.1. Description and purpose of the trend
Flat design is named after a distinct 2D style that is simply put flat. As a result, the concept
works without any use of additions such as drop shadows and gradients to add depth (Web
Design Reviews, 2015). Furthermore, flat design makes use of simple elements, focuses on
topography and uses bright colors to create a minimalistic effect. Its purpose, therefore, is to
create an attractive website that allow users to quickly view information. Also, interfaces that
make use of flat design can easily be adjusted to different browser sizes.
2.4.2. Real World Examples:
Fit Bit
Fit bit is a company that provides gadgets which track day to day health and fitness. Its website
dynamically incorporates flat design by presenting the intro page, which relates human activities
with the animal kingdom, with colors and animated characters making it fun to scroll down
(Dasgupta, 2015).
The Windmill Club
Companies can incorporate flat design by following the steps of The Windmill club which uses a
minimalistic design, big images and a cool display of size chart to make it stand out (Dasgupta,
2015).
Kipling

Kipling is another company which incorporates flat design into their website by using simple
typography, bold images and horizontal scrolling (Dasgupta, 2015). The abovementioned ways
can be used as examples of how to use flat design in the real world.
2.5. Split Screens
2.5.1. Description and purpose of the trend
According to (Creavite Blog, 2015), the split screen layout features a vertical divide that can
present two elements. Furthermore (Creavite Blog, 2015) adds that the purpose of this type of
layout are two-fold, that is either the business has two products to promote, and both are of
equal significance, and the split allows users to select from the two, (Creavite Blog, 2015). The
split also allows businesses to cater for its niche market on the one half and display images on
the other.
2.5.2. Real World Examples:
Tem Plaza
Tem Plaza, a restaurant, has incorporated the split screens trend as part of their website by
placing its brand identity on the left side of the screen and displaying examples of dishes on the
right.
Eight and Four
Eight and Four is one of the best companies which has mastered the split screen design. On
one side of the website, an explanation of the companys services is provided. The other side
links users to samples of the companys work.
3. Conclusion
After analyzing the five design trends namely, Flat Design, No More Boxes, Sticky Menus, Split
Screens and No Chrome, it can be assumed that website users will enjoy scrolling through
company websites because the mentioned five web designs focusses on the sites content while
keeping it eye catching and easy to navigate on. A web design which consists of the latest
techniques and styles can help a company maintain a competitive advantage within the
corporate world. It is therefore important for companies to be aware of the latest trends and to
use them in their own web designs to signify relevance.
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4. References
Creavite Blog. (2015, July 14). Retrieved from 5 website layout trends for 2015 so far:
http://www.creativebloq.com/web-design/layout-trends-2015-so-far-71515699
Dasgupta, J. (2015). Digital Marketing Prosser. Retrieved from 15 examples of flat design in
ecommernce bussiness: http://www.15 examples of flat design in ecommernce
bussiness
Flat Design. (2015, September 11). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/flat_design
Web Design Reviews. (2015). Retrieved from Top 10 Wedsite Builders: web adaesign Reviews
-Information on the best Website Builders