While it’s never wise to blindly follow every passing trend, the world of web design continues to evolve each year with new elements and creative directions worth considering. Over the past decade, we’ve seen certain ideas and practices prove their value—such as animated links, clean minimalist layouts, and distinctive heading typography.
With that in mind, here are some of the design directions we at Blackstone believe will have lasting impact in 2025 and beyond.
“Scroll-triggered animations bring static designs to life.
Subtle motion creates visual interest without compromising usability.”
BlackStone Team
1. Data-Informed Design
Data is the backbone of smart design decisions. It provides clear, actionable insights that can justify changes to a website’s layout, structure, and functionality. Without data to support a change, is it really worth doing?
That’s why more and more web designers are turning to analytics to guide their creative choices. Understanding which pages perform best and where visitors are spending most of their time helps designers prioritise key features and content.
At Blackstone, we use analytics tools and platforms like Hotjar to monitor user behaviour in real time. This enables us to fine-tune user experience, solve issues early, and continually improve website performance.
2. Accessibility First
A major shift is happening in web accessibility. Starting June 2025, new EU regulations will require all businesses to ensure their digital services are accessible to individuals with visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments. While accessibility has always been encouraged, this new legislation makes it a legal necessity.
At Blackstone, accessibility has been part of our workflow for several years. Now, we’re doubling down—ensuring inclusive design is embedded right from the initial planning stages, not added as an afterthought.
3. Innovative Navigation
Navigation is one of the core elements of a website’s user experience. In recent years, we’ve noticed a growing number of websites moving away from standard top-bar menus in favor of more creative formats, such as full-screen overlays or sliding panels.
These experimental navigation styles, when thoughtfully integrated with established design principles, can create a unique yet intuitive browsing experience—helping your site stand out while keeping usability at the forefront.
4. Bold Colour Blocking
Muted tones have dominated the minimalist era, but bold, high-contrast colour palettes are making a strong return. Designers are rediscovering the power of vibrant colour blocks, which can bring energy and visual interest to layouts—even those with minimal images or multimedia content.
By combining bold colours with clean layouts, you can achieve a design that’s both striking and sophisticated. This approach works especially well for brands seeking to make a visual impact without relying heavily on imagery.
5. Motion Graphics and Scroll Animations
Animation has been a staple in web design for some time, but the possibilities continue to expand. Subtle scroll animations and entry effects can inject life into a page without overwhelming the user. When used thoughtfully, these elements enhance the visual experience and add layers of engagement.
When motion design is paired with bold colour schemes and unconventional layouts, it can transform a basic website into something memorable—all while maintaining usability and clarity.
These are just a few of the exciting design directions gaining traction in 2025. If you’re planning to refresh your current website or launch a brand-new online presence, and you want to make sure it incorporates future-proof design practices, feel free to contact us at info@blackstonespolka.com
