As a web designer, the word most reiterated to you, would be ‘flat design’. An endless saga, your morning discussions around the coffee dispenser is whether or not it’ll live long! Social network sites too are ripe with promoting what flat design is all about.
Considered a design trend that has created quite a stir in the graphic design industry, flat UI has achieved great popularity in the short span of it’s discovery. However, many debate it’s future with great vigour, just like they celebrated it’s success. Just like everything else, flat UI also hinges on a saturation point.
Will It, Won’t It?
Considered a design trend that has created quite a stir in the graphic design industry, flat UI has achieved great popularity in the short span of it’s discovery. However, many debate it’s future with great vigour, just like they celebrated it’s success. Just like everything else, flat UI also hinges on a saturation point.
Will It, Won’t It?
As a highly trends-driven industry, some concepts and ideologies stay, while others have a comparatively shorter shelf life. The question worth asking here is that is flat UI indeed a trend?
or more of a fundamental shift towards simplicity in design sense. Well, that all depends on how you perceive changes. Designing for the web has undergone massive transformation, in sync with the changing tastes of clients.
Everyone - A TO Z - Apple to Samsung - You and I - have know what flat UI is, in some form or the other. An uncomplicated and elementary way of displaying content, flat UI has many followers. Moreover, flat UI can look even better when combined with a flawless, yet cheap hosting plan.
For designers, it’s become a way of life - and design! Many don’t wish to contend about it’s future, and then there are those who strongly believe it’s a part of the UI lifecycle.
Differentiate : Minimal & Flat
More often than not, many confuse flat design with minimal design. The interesting part to note is that while both techniques agree on the simplicity factor, flat UI tends to favour more towards effects. The tricks and tips that both use, however, are similar (not identical).
In terms of complexity, minimalistic design tends to score low on the card, whereas flat design can be as complex as you make it to be! From color palettes to typefaces to schemes, all can be very elaborate elements.
The Downside
Considered a wondrous, experimental design philosophy, it does falter at times. Too much of simplicity isn’t always ultimate sophistication. It doesn’t always allow users to understand information at the drop of a hat. Moreover, flat design doesn’t signal when you’ve activated a certain feature. It doesn’t highlight or makes it always obvious what all on the page is interactive. As a result, the those less familiar with it end up feeling confused.
Conclusion
Simply put, anything that people find great, will become a trend. It’s quite the ‘herd mentality’ approach here! Apps and sites that effortlessly combine functionality with simplicity will succeed in the long run. One of the most appreciable things that flat design has done is to have refreshed a dull designing industry and given them quite the toy to play around with!
It’s got everyone’s mouths wagging, with those supporting it and those predicting a near demise soon. Ultimately, the deal is simple - enjoy till it lasts!
