Great Design versus Design Trends

Web Design | on Jun. 24, 2011 | by 0 Comments

“Every designer has their own unique style, but the line between a trend and good design can often become blurred. Many designers follow trends in order to decide what they are going to include in their latest work. While some trends are actually great, you have to remember that they come and go, and being popular does not mean that something is good. Furthermore, just because something works well for one project, it does not mean that it will work for another. This article will help you to think about different trends and make sure that you only use aspects in your design, which are truly suitable.

Everyone knows what a trend is. When something becomes very popular and successful people want to use that thing as inspiration for their own work. After all, if it worked for someone else, it should work for you, right? It is important to remember that trends come and go. What is popular at one time will seem dated later on. If you are using techniques for your design just because they are common, your designs might not stand the test of time. Make sure that you create truly great designs, rather than relying on trends.

Trends cause complacency

 

Using trends can be a good way to learn new things. However, relying on them too much can make your own work stagnant and uncreative. Some designers will follow what is popular, never trying anything new. If you simply follow trends and do not try your own ideas, you will become complacent, and that is the bottom line.

The copycat syndrome

 

Trends can easily create copy cats, and they are rampant today. Many designers simply find successful websites and copy their designs, incorporating them into their own work. This is basically theft, and while it is not illegal, it is not going to produce anything that is groundbreaking. With sites like Dribble and Forrst, there are even more people who are simply copying other’s work.  Do not get me wrong, these are great sites, and they have many uses. However, they encourage some people to just look at the work of others and use their ideas in their own work. Gaining inspiration from others is a good way to learn, but you should not let yourself become a copy cat. You should look at trends and learn from them, but do not use them to copy to ideas of other people.

 

Following trends can lead to less effective work

 

Copying a trend does not always mean that your work is going to stand out. Sometimes designers will try to use the work of others to make their own designs great, but they do not implement them properly. As an example, consider the large drop down menu, which is a popular new trend. This has worked for some sites, but it might not work well for your next project. You might not have much information that you need to include in the drop down menu. If you do not need to use this technique, do not include it in your design. You do not have to copy trends just because they are popular. However, some clients might want to use trends in their work. It is difficult to argue with a client about this, so you might just have to bite the bullet and go with it.

 

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