I haven’t noticed much commentary on the recent trend of digital design taking a more soothing, sensual approach. I’ve seen a trend in the last year or so of calming down the colour palette to simple, paler hues and of using more low contrast and grey, much less black, and less high contrast clutter. You could even say that the design trend is toward more feminine. Just right now I’m typing this in the WordPress interface – which is essentially a progressive web 2.0, techie tool – and it’s predominantly blue pastels.
This may simply be a reflection of the more balanced audience for digital interfaces these days. I suspect it’s a response to the inherent complexity of digital interfaces – webpages and software and electronic devices are highly functional and intricate, even when you simplify them as much as you can. When the interaction is unavoidably complex and intricate it is a great balance to make the design soft and soothing.
I find the intersection of soothing design and design simplification a very delightful experience. Here’s a couple of samples that I’ve enjoyed lately:
Tivo.com – recently redesign – very masculine product, simple soothing website
Virgin America – a light, soothing site with restrained and well chosen splashes of red
Lime – a new bike from Trek, whose main site I like a great deal too
Filed under: creative delivery, style , design, simplify, soothing, trends
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