In recent months we’ve seen an increase in requests for micro animations: small-scale animations that encourage interaction and add character to the site. Animation is trendy every year, but accessibility standards often render more complex animations fallible. Micro animations pack a similar punch while carrying a much lower risk. They can be applied to button hovers, graphic elements, page load-ins — any component you want to spotlight.

We were able to implement this style in our site design for Taco Boy by placing their sunburst icon on either side of the headings and animating them to rotate. This was a playful way of emphasizing text hierarchy without overwhelming users.

– James Coviello, Senior Designer II

This style, in which words and images move across the screen, brings a lively, retro-inspired feel to modern sites, making them more engaging but not too busy. As brands try to stand out, the scrolling marquee provides a fresh way to catch people’s attention, offering a break from the usual static images and sliders. Its charm lies in blending a touch of nostalgia with a new way to showcase key content.

On Loft 22’s website, the scrolling marquee draws attention to key details about event spaces, offerings, and brand values. This bold, moving text creates a lively first impression, keeping essential information front and center.

– Christopher Nervegna, Senior Designer

Moving away from sharp, minimalist lines and polished symmetry, this style introduces hand-drawn forms, soft edges, and natural textures to give websites a human touch. It’s likely a response to the flat, hyper-digital designs of recent years, and reflects a collective craving for authenticity and individuality. In a world of grid-based layouts, these organic elements feel inviting and genuine — qualities that resonate deeply with restaurants.

On Osteria Olio’s website, textured backgrounds and fluid shapes echo the restaurant’s warmth and emphasis on artisanal craftsmanship, showing how a human touch can make digital interactions genuine and memorable.

– Kayla Scheidel, Senior Manager of Web Design

Playing off the parallax trend that has maintained popularity for years, this style creates a sense of depth by fixing certain elements or sections while allowing others to scroll freely. This scroll-within-a-scroll effect is more subtle and easier to navigate than other non-traditional scrolling effects, such as the horizontal scroll that was popular in previous years. It also offers some variety in the application, as it can be used on a whole section or on individual elements within a section.

Playa Betty’s website is a great example. The user experiences a normal scroll until hitting the stacked images, at which point the text becomes “sticky.” The interaction immediately upgrades the section from feeling like a simple layout.

– Chelsea Davis, Web Designer

This eye-catching style emphasizes large, striking typography that immediately conveys the essence of a brand or message. These attention-grabbing elements set the tone for the overall experience by incorporating vivid colors and unique fonts. Together, these elements create a memorable first impression, making content more approachable and inviting.

Statement headers also support a more streamlined design aesthetic. By prioritizing impactful text, designers can minimize clutter and focus users’ attention on essential elements. Lulla’s website demonstrates this style, using large headers and simple line art illustrations to guide users while ensuring that the website remains visually appealing and easy to navigate.

– Lindsey Robinson, Web Designer