2013 web design trends and coding with HTML5

Web design trends change every year. We are over half way through 2013 and it’s time to look into some of the trends around the internet. A lot of the trends and designs are being made using HTML5, so what is it and why the need for it?

So what is HTML5?

HTML5 stands for Hypertext Markup Language and is the fifth version of HTML. It’s not yet an official standard even though the big browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer support many of the features.

Reduce the external plugins and make room for HTML5

The core thing about HTML5 is it reduces the need for external plugins like Flash; it’s based on HTML, CSS, DOM and Javascript. The average internet user won’t be affected by the use of HTML5, as long as they keep their browsers updated. The only thing they will notice is that Flash is on its way out.

HTML5 created for video and audio

New features in HTML5 are video and audio support, making it easy to use videos right inside HTML with no need for Flash. Another thing is the semantic HTML5 has to offer, with header, footer, article, nav, etc. However, it may not make sense to everyone why semantic is needed when we can just use div and id instead.

Why do I need to use semantics

Semantics are useful for the browsers, search engines, people who inherit the project and you, months later. The important thing is to not over analyse every block of code and do what seems to make sense. Don’t waste your time on it!

Fun and editable content

Other new and fun features of HTML5 make your content editable using an attribute called “contenteditable” which can be used when you are making a to-do list.

Validating forms made easier with HTML5

We will soon also be able to validate our forms only using HTML to check if it’s an email the user wrote and/or if the field is empty. You can also require some of your form fields in HTML5, making sure that the user does what you want it to do. These things will eliminate some of the PHP and JavaScript coding. The new features in HTML5 make some coding easier and give extra time to play around with other coding, which brings me to web design trends in 2013.

Storytelling and fun animations with parallax scroll

One page navigation, parallax scroll and illustrations are all big trends this year! Gathering all the important information on one page where people can find it. This is often done with some kind of illustrations and parallax scroll to make it fun. An example that combines all three is everylastdrop.co.uk which is one page with illustrations that use parallax scroll to make it an animation.

An image says more than a 1000 words

Minimalistic design and large images are in. An image says more than a 1000 words, that’s why showing your image and products as a key thing on your website is now big. It’s also often a minimalistic design since the images are the focus. Some minimalistic web designs also use typographic as the main focus instead of images, again it’s often with some kind of parallax scroll. Mylapka.com has a minimalistic design using big images and a parallax scroll.

Responsive smartphone-friendly web design

Mobile friendly web design has been around for some time now. It used to be a mobile version of a website, but now it’s more about responsive web design. It’s about making everything as easy for the user as possible no matter where they may be. This also makes things easier in a world where we have different sizes for our tablets and smartphones. MintTwist’s website is responsive, so try it out.

Visitor-friendly content has never been more important

At last the key to 2013 web design is good content! Creating good content on your website will get people to stay and return to your website. This will also get the search engines to notice you since your website must be creating visitor-friendly content. Social Media buttons are another thing that you can find on all websites. Good content will make people share your insights, which create links back to your website. Did we miss any major design trends? Share them with us. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Tanja Mortensen studies Multimedia Design & Communication at the Business Academy Aarhus in Denmark and is an intern in MintTwist this fall. She would like to see the world, meet different cultures and keep on learning in the future.