Are We Too Reliant on Web Designing Trends

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If there is one constant in the world of designing, it is designers hopping the trend wagon as soon as an opportunity presents itself. And the web designing realm apparently keeps getting visited by new trends every now and then. Whether it is the current flavor of the season – minimalism – or the traditional ones that will surely bounce back in near future, the web designing community keeps churning out different ways to create visually appealing designs that can help companies make a serious boast. And these are followed suit by the designers of the world who jump the bandwagon to cater to the current demands and create works that can truly get them the limelight and earn some brownie points for their career. But the question here to ask is that as designers, are we blindly following the trends? Does a particular company getting its website made need a flat design for the same? What if it is a website that represents kids' toys business? Why would you make it too subtle with minimum use of colors? Aren't you supposed to do exactly the contrary? Splash of colors comes to mind when we think of toys and other kiddy things, and if your website swings at users the black and white hues, mixed very subtly with other plain colors, you might be way too off the mark. The design culture always gives a room to brands for spreading their legs and try something off the hook. But the tendency to flow with the current buzz comes naturally to some, and there are reasons for the same: Designs Often are the Product of Their Environment For what they are worth, the designs roll with the times, which is another way of putting that they follow the trends. Since dawn of the time, any piece of design has been heavily influenced by a particular style that is in rage in its respective era. In the 70s, bell bottoms ruled, and so you saw every man flaunting them with flamboyance and effect. The same goes for print and web designs. In the 90s, the grunge styles dictated the terms. Everything was quite bold and in your face, and we kinda liked it back then. So, what happens when your design is the product of its environment is that even if you are not associating with a particular designer while creating your work, your works might involve unsolicited similar tones and textures. And this happens because the designers are often inspired by the societal realities of their age and this shows in their designs as well. Trends are Changing Faster Than Ever You don't need an expert's mind to understand or realize it. Fashion or designing trends change at a rollicking pace and the professionals in these fields often find themselves struggling to keep up (at times, it is more about catching up). As compared to the earlier times, the trends of today have a slippery ground and the seemingly hottest trend of the moment finds itself turn obsolete in no time. Call it harsh, but that's the reality. Experts say that Internet has a huge hand behind this rapid fluctuation. As a result, the designers are forced to catch up in order to retain their hold over the market and they start following the wagon to wherever it goes. It no longer remains a matter of choice, since keeping up with the times is more of a necessity. As they say, adapt or die! When their Are Comparisons Being Made What do you do when someone swings at you with a claim that your design is heavily inspired from the work of a professional you haven't even heard of before? Will you attempt to set the record straight that your ideas was original in the sense you didn't know it already exists? Or do you start giving a damn and stick with your design? And then there is another side to it – the designer you are getting compared you to was the one who lifted your ideas and the observes got it all wrong. Would you point it out. There are questions galore, but to be honest, it doesn't really matter. When your design has been created with your heart at the right place, it will be original to many, if not to all. You will find a huge audience for your design that would appreciate your work for what it's worth. If your design manages to impress you client, that alone is worth the price of admission. Adding anything more to the afore-mentioned would only amount to going in circles. It entirely depends on you whether you go on following the trends or go all bonkers with your innovative instincts. In the latter case, you just might trigger some new trends in the process.