📈 Web Design Anti-Trends That Should Be Left Behind

It's important to stay updated on web design trends and incorporate them into your projects. Equally important is knowing what no longer works.

Explore a few design choices that might be doing more harm than good

1. Bento Grid Style
The bento grid layout has been widely used this past year. While it is effective for structuring information, using it now will do little to make your designs stand out. It's time to explore fresher approaches.

2. AI-Generated Images
AI-generated content is here to stay, but its accessibility can be a drawback. Obvious AI-generated images often leave a poor impression, similar to the overuse of stock photos in the past. Ensure you use AI tools that produce high-quality visuals.

3. Long Preloader Animations
Users don't want to wait for a lengthy, intricate preloader animation to finish. Statistics show that if a website takes more than 3 seconds to load, 53%* of users will bounce. Use preloaders that are fast and minimalist to enhance user experience, not frustrate it.

* Jason Spero, How to make every mobile moment a brand-builder // Google. 2017

4. Apparent Block Borders
Overly defined block borders and sharp contrasts can make your design look outdated, evoking the early days of web design. Modern interfaces favor clean, airy layouts with ample white space. Heavy outlining can distract users and disturb content hierarchy.

5. Too Much Symmetry
While symmetry can bring balance, strict adherence to it often results in a repetitive, dull layout. Users may struggle to focus on key information as their attention drifts across identical elements. Play with asymmetry for a more dynamic experience.

6. Forced Scrolling
Forced scrolling happens when visitors are abruptly redirected to specific sections of a page, often for promotional purposes. This disrupts their user journey and can cause frustration, especially if they miss important content in the process.

7. Cover Sliders
Statistics reveal that only 1%* of users interact with slider galleries. This makes sliders an ineffective way to deliver important information. Instead of relying on a slider, focus on delivering a clear, concise message and a strong call to action (CTA) in your hero section.

* Harrison Jones, Homepage Sliders: Bad For SEO, Bad For Usability // Search Engine land. 2019

8. Blindly Following Trends
Staying updated on industry trends is important, but applying them without considering your brand's goals or audience specifics can backfire. Use trends strategically to enhance your message, not overshadow it. Even the listed anti-trends can be effective in certain scenarios.