5 WordPress Web Design Trends for December 2023

As we round out 2023, it is the perfect time to look ahead with some WordPress website design trends we can learn from and take into the new year. We love all the creativity and interactivity that’s flooding the design space these days.

Here are five great trends to consider this month:

1. Interesting Annual Reports

The end of one year and the beginning of the next are key times for annual reports to start making the rounds. Rather than the old printed version, many companies – especially those rooted online – will develop annual report websites or landing pages to showcase the past year’s work.

Because of the one-off nature of these projects, they can often be a little more forward-thinking and modern than even the primary website of the same brand. Look for interesting techniques, interactive elements, and elements designed to keep users on-site for as long as possible.

In the example above, Vention‘s State of Artificial Intelligence is actually a one-page design with lots of color and fun scroll effects that make it feel like a much bigger site than it is. Motion and different levels of engagement keep you scrolling and reading.

Why it works: Each scroll seems to offer new content and information in a new visual way. Each “page” feels interesting and important. Everything is contained well, so it is quick and easy to digest.

How to use it: Mixed media and storytelling devices are important in the report format. Mix numbers, text, photos, and interactivity to keep users interested.

2. User Controls

Website visitors like to feel in control of their user experience. Even something as simple as sound or color toggles can make a visitor feel important and keep them interacting with the design longer.

In the example above for Dave Holloway, there are two distinct user controls at the bottom left of the home page. One of the toggle switches impacts the look of the text, giving it a flatter feel; the second toggle is for color, shifting the bright color background to a dark, subtle palette.

Why it works: This small element of control is interesting and makes the user feel important. You are giving them control of the design, and many users like this concept and will play with the options when provided the opportunity.

How to use it: Toggles must be obvious for users to find and use and do something that is easy to see as the interaction happens.

3. Interactive Hover States

For desktop website visitors, the mouseover hover state can add a lot of interest to the design and signal what action the user should take.

Once primarily reserved for buttons, interactive hover states can apply to almost anything. The more visually interesting they are, the more likely it is that someone will engage.

In the example above from Guarana Jesus, each can has an interactive hover that extends from top to bottom of the screen. It impacts everything around it, including the background and text colors, making it impossible to miss the clickable areas in this design.

Why it works: The big hover states work here because they take on a larger-than-life element while maintaining the beauty of the design.

How to use it: Go big with hovers and make them overly obvious so that users can’t miss the interactive elements.

4. Print-Inspired Design

Unlike all the interactive elements in previous trend examples, this website design trend goes in the opposite direction with a print-inspired look that is super simple but elegant.

There’s not a lot to click or do. In the example from North Star, the only options are to click a navigation element or scroll. But the design is so well constructed that you don’t miss the interactive elements.

The design below the scroll is equally strong, although there are a few moving elements to make it feel a little more web-like.

Why it works: Rooted in design theory, placements of images and text, use of color, and a practical scale make this an exceptionally visually pleasing design.

How to use it: If you plan to use this design trend, familiarize yourself with some magazine or other print layouts. Then, you need to make sure you have just the right pieces to work in tandem while maintaining interest and readability.

5. 3D Effects

You can use existing photography or videography and get in on this website design trend. To add interest, some designers are using three-dimensional shapes or icons in a layer on top of image/photo/color backgrounds.

These 3D effects can work in a number of ways – the one above from Laurus seems to be “drawn” on top of the video reel as it plays – to keep website visitors interested in what is happening on the screen. This effect often works best when there isn’t a lot of typography competing for user attention.

Why it works: This is another way to create an interesting interactive layer when you feel something is missing in the design or need something extra to hold user attention.

How to use it: Clean lines and simple shapes are the easiest to understand, and don’t overcomplicate the design.

Putting it All Together

One of the key themes this month is how many interactive effects that designers and developers are including in projects. The challenge is that while some of these effects might look easy, they take work to create so that they render well and are engaging.

What can you see yourself trying from this list? Have fun and good luck!

A Kadence Full Bundle gives you everything you need to keep up with all the design trends and take your website to the next level. With the Kadence Lottie Block and on-scroll animations, you can make interactive, effective, and engaging websites with Kadence.

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