Website Design - Evolution of devices and content

In the past year, there has been an explosion of new digital devices available to consumers, and the unveiling of extraordinary technologies such as flexible phones gave us an insight of what 2013 could have in store for digital. (Lancaster 2013)

(Samsung Flexible Phones)

As a result, we’re all becoming increasingly digitally-engaged, using hand-held internet enabled devices to surf the web, re-defining the digital landscape. (Fiercewireless 2013; Lancaster 2013) One article states that research by Cisco shows, ‘ the rapid growth in internet-connected devices will see them outnumber humans later this year (7bn).’ (Arthur 2013)

The varying shapes and sizes of smartphones and tablets mean there is a proliferation of displays across them, ‘each introducing a new way of interacting with a device.’ (Lancaster 2013) Consequently, organisations need to offer suitable mobile and tablet friendly versions of their websites to maintain ‘tappiness’ - exhibited on a website when it’s easy and enjoyable to navigate on a mobile or tablet device, so consumers wont leave from frustration. (Meyer 2012)

(Website adapted for mobile device)

However, it’s not just the type of device that consumers interact with that is changing, the evolution of the digital landscape also affects the type of content consumers respond positively to. ‘Words may have won Web 2.0, but images and carefully-optimized beauty are capturing the mobile generation’. (Kakura 2013)

The ‘Visual Web’ is taking over.

Pinterest and Intstagram are intimate media for brands to engage with consumers. These social networks and newer websites exhibit design that proves ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’.

                        

 

(ASOS Webpage)                                     (Instagram Page)

References

Arthur, C., 2013. Mobile internet devices 'will outnumber humans this year'. The Guardian. 7 February 2013. Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/07/mobile-internet-outnumber-people [Accessed 21 March 2013].

Harbour, S., 2012. Best practices for navigation on the mobile web. Webdesigner Depot. 2 November 2013. Available from: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/11/best-practices-for-navigation-on-the-mobile-web/ [Accessed 21 March 2013].

Kukura, J., 2013. Monetizing with Pinterest, 'The Google of the Visual Web'. Contributer Report. Available from: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/14382941-monetizing-with-pinterest-the-google-of-the-visual-web

Lancaster, L., 2013. Point, Click, Tap, Swipe, Wave and Speak. 2013 Digital Trends. Available from: http://trends.clickhere.com/point-click-tap-swipe-wave-and-speak/ [Accessed 21 March 2013].

Leonard, K., 2012. The visual web's influence on online retail. lonelybrandblog. 7 November 2012. Available from: https://lonelybrand.com/blog/the-visual-webs-influence-on-online-retail/ [Accessed 21 March 2013].

MacManus, R., 2012. The Trends Of 2012: The Visual Web. readwrite. 27 June 2012. Available from: http://readwrite.com/2012/06/27/top-trends-of-2012-the-visual-web [Accessed 21 March 2013].

Meyer, John., 2013. The Pursuit of Tappiness. UX Magazine. 2 January 2013. Available from: http://uxmag.com/articles/the-pursuit-of-tappiness [Accessed 22 March 2013].