As the Internet expands the world of design, there are a few trends to be on the lookout for. Web design constantly undergoes changes in trends as the years pass. Certain aspects of design like HTML5 vs Flash, CSS, content management systems, and software development platforms are all changing how people create on the web.
HTML5
Specific trends like oversized logos and headers, huge images, typography, minimalism, and intro boxes have been popular in the past. For the future of web design, there will be more HTML5, CSS, content management systems, and software development platforms. The large debate between HTML5 and Flash will probably forever continue, but HTML5 has some great benefits. HTML5 is better supported on mobile devices and allows for more interactive design on the web. HTML5 is already compatible on most browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera. It also gives developers more flexibility and allows them to do more things in-house and it allows for more powerful and interactive applications. HTML5 lets developers manage data, draw, and play video and audio (which developers had problems doing with HTML4). HTML5 has new canvas and also makes it easy to embed video elements. It also has a new geolocation APIs, client-side database, offline application cache, and thread-like operation.
Flash
Flash still has some great benefits. Flash has better support streaming secure and live video, is more ubiquitous and the 2D and 3D APIs are more usable than canvas (allegedly). The developer community is larger and more mature than HTML5 and the tools are strong and well-supported. Designers are also more comfortable using Flash. Flash also gives access to web cam and audio recording.
CSS3
New trends in CSS3 include change of text selection color, gradually changing links, 1px clicks, easier introduction paragraphs, and box shadow with RGBA on hover. With CSS3, designers can change the color of selected text to match the color scheme of the rest of the site. Also with CSS3, designers can change the opacity of a hover link. 1px click makes links that are clicked on move down 1px and return to their original place after the mouse is released. Introduction paragraphs are also easier and CSS3 allows designers to create a box shadow with RGBA on hover.
WCMS
A web content management system or WCMS lets users with little or lots of web programming language know-how create and manage a web site’s content with ease. A WCMS can use templates and the WCMS uses databases to store artifacts, content, and metadata. Most WCMSs use server side caching and most have automated templates, scalable expansion, easily editable content, scalable feature sets, web standards upgrades, workflow management, collaboration, delegation, document management, content virtualization, content syndication, multilingual capabilities, and versioning.
Software Development Platforms
Also known as HTML editors are software applications used to create web pages. Such applications, like Adobe Dreamweaver, allow users to create and preview web sites in locally installed web browsers, transfer features, synchronize features, find and replace lines of text, find and replace lines of code, and use templates. These software development platforms can also use third-party extensions to increase functionality. Most of them can also be used with HTML and are usually compatible with Mac or Windows operating systems. Software development platforms often support CSS, JavaScript, and other scripting languages and frameworks.
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Because the Internet is rapidly and constantly expanding the web design world, trends of web design are constantly upgrading to new software, languages, and editing platforms. By keeping up with these web design trends, designers and developers can make attractive and interactive web site designs that will increase in popularity and ease of use.
