5 WordPress Web Design Trends for June 2023

Sometimes as we head into the summer seasons, website design trends seem to take a little hiatus. Maybe because many of our projects are in in-between stages as many people take breaks themselves. There still are a few things to explore though, in the world of new and interesting web design elements.

Here are five trends to consider this month:

1. Extravagant Imagery

Designers are keeping the theme of an overall minimal design but pairing it with extravagant imagery for an opulent and not-so-minimal aesthetic.

These images are packed with color and style, like in the above example from Floof. There are often too many things to see at once, and are even taken in a way that you can’t possibly get all of the information in the image from a small screen.

The challenge with this type of imagery is layering other elements in a way that makes visual sense and maintains readability. The Advanced Text Block from Kadence Blocks is an incredible tool for this. You can even give your text shadow and depth to make it really stand out.

Why it works: This design trend works because you can’t help but look at it. Think of the image as a “Where’s Waldo?” type of concept that keeps users looking at different elements and layers of the image for an extended period.

How to use it: If your image is as colorful and busy as the example above, it is important for the rest of the design to be simple and easy to read. Stick to thicker readable typefaces without a lot of additional colors.

2. Product-less E-Commerce

Have you noticed how many online stores don’t look like stores at all from the homepage?

In an effort for brands to feel more like lifestyle options rather than e-commerce, this trend is dominating certain verticals, including pet food, as seen in the example above from Albion.

The idea behind this design is to create a sense of belonging and desire before showcasing the product. Here, happy, active dogs show you how great they feel thanks to their diets.

If you want to learn more about creating stunning hero sections using Kadence Theme, check out this tutorial.

Why it works: Many users – particularly millennials and Gen Zers – want to interact with authentic experiences and don’t like the feeling of being sold to. This design trend captures that for online shopping.

How to use it: This is tricky for sure because you have to show the product and the ability to purchase quickly so users actually convert. Take care with navigation, in particular, with all of the visual cues and menu items – cart, shop, coupon – to signify that this is an online store.

3. Cartoon Characters

This website design trend is a little more unexpected but is fairly well used – cartoon characters. Just check out a great example of this from Uhaina.

These projects often look one of two ways:

Full aesthetic using illustrated, cartoon-style characters
Cartoon characters mixed with real items (remember “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”)

To make it work, the pieces have to fit together rather seamlessly and not look too childlike (unless that’s your goal).

Why it works: Using cartoon characters can be a solid alternative if you are lacking photos or videos with people. Even a cartoon face is often better than no face at all!

How to use it: Create a plan for how elements play together. Illustrated images should tell a cohesive story in the same way other visuals would.

4. Typography Off the Baseline

Who said text elements much rest on the same invisible line? Designers are experimenting with text elements that don’t rest on one consistent baseline. This is commonly used with one or two words or a brand name.

If the text is still readable at a glance, this can work beautifully, such as in the example above from Mocha Cafe and Bar. If the text lacks readability, it can fall short quickly and turn into a bit of a typography disaster. There are additional responsive challenges as well.

Only try this if you have a simple word to understand and a typeface that contributes to readability.

Why it works: This design technique creates visual interest where it could be lacking without having to go into a new font palette or play with experimental typefaces. You can create this effect with the styles you already have and use.

How to use it: This only works with short words that are common and easy to comprehend. Don’t try to get too fancy with too many baselines either; that can also cause some consternation among readers.

5. Flat Icons with Animation

Flat icons were a huge trend a few years ago and never went away. While icon styles are more diverse now than at the height of the trend, flat is a popular option.

The new spin on this design element is that flat icons are paired with animated effects (sometimes in a more oversized manner) to create extra visual interest or attention for a project. Just check out the example from LaunchUX.

For the most part, these icons are simple and have simple animation. They may or may not include click or tap actions. In the example above, the rocket icons are merely a visual item on the screen without interactivity.

The Lottie Block from Kadence Blocks makes it a breeze to create this eye-catching design style. You can insert a Lottie Block anywhere into your site and maintain full control over animations speeds, loops and everything else!

Why it works: The simplicity of a flat icon is classically appealing and easy to understand.

How to use it: Use this option almost anywhere you’d plan for an icon, from menu items to background animation, to calls to action.

Putting it All Together

WordPress web design trends are a fun element but don’t feel like you have to try every new trend that comes along. If bold and big isn’t your style, it’s ok to wait and see what else comes along. Using the right trend at the right time is part of your brand and style.

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. From the Lottie Block in Kadence Blocks to the ability to create fully customizable designs and pages, the Kadence Full Bundle gives you everything you need to make beautiful, effective, and engaging websites.

Get a Kadence Bundle