Flat Design Explained: 4 Characteristics of Flat Design

Flat design is a minimalist design trend practiced commonly in both user interface design (UI design) and user experience design (UX design). UX and UI designers employ flat design principles to enhance a website user’s experience. Flat design is a minimalist design approach that uses simple design elements such as flat icons and two-dimensional shapes. This approach stands in contrast with the three-dimensional elements skeuomorphic designers use. Skeuomorphism is a web design style that mimics real-world elements (like drop shadows) in the digital world to help users understand how to use digital software.

Flat design was developed to make websites and mobile apps highly responsive in a variety of screen sizes. It accomplishes this by incorporating the following:

1. 1. Bright colors: Since flat UI is minimalist by nature, it relies on the use of bright colors to send visual cues to the user.
2. 2. Simple shapes: Instead of using complex, realistic images, flat design uses simple two-dimensional vector art to depict objects.
3. 3. Minimal textures: Flat design steers clear of complex textures like drop shadows or gradients.
4. 4. Simple typography: You won't find any flashy fonts in flat design. Simple, sans-serif typography loads fast and is easy to read, making for an efficient user experience.

Skeuomorphism and flat design are both user interface design trends, while Material Design is an approach developed by Google.

• Skeuomorphism: This design uses digital metaphors to make digital objects look like analog devices, such as the trash can icon on phones and computers. Three-dimensional skeuomorphic designs feature shadows and gradients to help users know how to use digital objects, such as push buttons. Skeuomorphic design can make programs lag or respond slowly.
• Flat design: Flat design eschews shading and detailing for two-dimensional renderings to create a more minimalist design. Flat design enhances text readability and can easily adjust for different-sized screens/devices. Flat design does not use shadows or highlights, so it is not always intuitive how to interact with an object. Proponents of flat design argue that simplified UI elements make websites and mobile apps more user-friendly.
• Material Design: Google's Material Design was invented in 2014 as a happy medium between flat design and skeuomorphic design. It uses bright colors and simple shapes but also includes animation and texture to inform the user experience.

Put flat design into practice by following a few tips.

1. 1. Give context clues. You'll need to instruct users how to navigate your website without an abundance of styling. Use negative space, color, and vector illustration (like arrows) to inform how you want users to interact with the page.
2. 2. Deliver a clear message. Minimalism doesn't have to mean boring. Be bold and upfront with your message, making it abundantly clear how the user should navigate the site. One way to accomplish this is by using a straightforward grid layout.
3. 3. Use typography to your advantage. Flat design is sleek and modern, and your typeface should be too. A sans-serif font is easy to read and complements the flat style.
4. 4. Use color to liven up your design. Color is one of the best tools in your flat design toolbox. Choose an engaging color palette and have a consistent color scheme throughout your design to keep users interested.

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