Web Design Trends of 2025: Scrollytelling, Colors/Fonts and a bit of AI

In 2024, Whales Marketing has successfully delivered dozens of pixel-perfect websites, partnering with clients across fintech, e-commerce, and even unique industries like junk car removal with projects such as Scrabit. 

These experiences have given us a front-row seat to what’s shaping up as the key design trends for 2025. Let’s explore the innovations set to specify the year ahead.

Personalization will no longer be optional in 2025. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), websites now can adapt and deliver customized content based on each visitor’s unique behavior.

Let us imagine for a moment: A previous visitor sees product recommendations aligned with their latest purchases or articles they’ve recently read. AI-powered websites offer this smooth level of personalization, improving engagement and driving conversions.

At Whales Marketing, we’ve seen firsthand how AI transforms websites into powerful tools for customer retention and sales growth. It’s about delivering what the user wants—before they know they want it.

📌 Why It Matters: Companies choosing AI-powered personalization see higher engagement, reduced bounce rates, and increased customer satisfaction.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are no longer limited to gaming or innovative prototypes. They’re becoming powerful tools in web design, creating immersive, interactive experiences.

For industries like real estate, AR and VR have already revolutionized customer engagement. Imagine exploring a home’s layout virtually or using AR to see how a piece of furniture fits into your living room—all without leaving your browser. What’s more, e-commerce platforms are also leveraging Neumorphism alongside interactive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance customer experiences. This blend of Neumorphism’s tactile design and AR’s immersive functionality creates an intuitive, futuristic shopping experience that aligns perfectly with modern consumer expectations.

These tools are no longer modern tricks—they’re practical features that connect digital interfaces with real-world experiences. By integrating AR/VR into websites, businesses fill the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

📌 Key Takeaway: AR and VR create notable user experiences, increasing length of stay and building stronger customer connections.

Micro-animations might seem small, but their impact is infinite. Whether it’s a button that slightly shifts on hover or a menu that smoothly unfolds, guides users, and makes interactions more perceptive.

Our work on our own Whales Marketing website incorporated micro-animations to increase usability and storytelling. From the way elements responded to user actions to the visual indication that highlighted key features, every detail contributed to a smoother, more engaging experience.

In 2025, these animations will continue to dominate, helping brands communicate professionalism and attention to detail.

📌 Why Use Them? Micro-animations create a polished, professional look while improving usability. They delicately prod users toward desired actions, like clicking “Buy Now” or exploring more of a site.

The growing adoption of voice-controlled devices has made Voice User Interfaces (VUIs) a major trend. These interfaces allow users to navigate websites remotely, catering to the increasing preference for voice commands.

For businesses, VUIs present an opportunity to improve usability and reach a wider audience. They’re particularly beneficial for individuals who rely on useful technologies, making digital spaces more comprehensive. Beyond availability, VUIs also simplify interactions for users multitasking or using devices in environments where touchscreens are less practical.

For example, Amazon has seamlessly integrated VUI technology into its e-commerce platform through its Alexa voice assistant.

Customers can search for products, reorder items, or even track deliveries by only speaking to their Alexa devices. This use of VUI not only improves comfort but also aligns perfectly with changing user habits and expectations.

📌 Why It Matters: Incorporating VUIs guarantees websites remain appropriate and user-friendly, meeting the needs of various audiences.

Put simply, Neumorphism is a design style that makes buttons, sliders, and other elements on a screen look like they’re part of the background but still easy to click or interact with. It combines the realistic depth of old-school designs (skeuomorphism) with the clean, flat style of modern interfaces.

As one of the famous example, we can talk about Apple’s Wallet App. Giving the interface a clean and tactile appearance, the app uses Neumorphism to make cards and buttons look slightly raised.

In the same way, fitness apps like Samsung Health use crafty Neumorphic touches for their icons and toggles, creating a elegant and modern user experience.

It feels fresh and modern while still being functional, and when paired with minimalist colors, it creates a very sleek and professional look. Perfect for apps and dashboards!

📌How does it do this? By using soft shadows and highlights around elements, Neumorphism creates a 3D look that makes buttons appear like they’re popping out of the screen or fading into it. This gives a soft and advanced feel, making the design look both stylish and easy to use.

While Neumorphism feels fresh and modern, it’s worth noting that the use of 3D in web design isn’t entirely new. Back in 2021, there was a significant trend toward 3D elements in web design, but it leaned more heavily on bold, realistic visuals rather than the subtlety of Neumorphism. If you’re curious to explore how 3D design has evolved, take a look at our article on Web Design Trends 2021. It offers a fascinating perspective on how design preferences have shifted over time and highlights the unique approach Neumorphism brings to the table.

As more people become aware of environmental issues, sustainable web design is becoming an important trend. This approach focuses on making websites more eco-friendly by reducing their carbon footprint. It involves improving website performance and using energy-efficient hosting solutions. By adopting these practices, businesses can show they care about the environment while also making their websites work better.

Some key sustainable web design practices include using simple, lightweight code, compressing images, and avoiding heavy animations. These steps make websites load faster and use less energy, creating a better experience for users. Companies that focus on sustainability send a strong message about their commitment to protecting the planet, which appeals to modern audiences.

Sustainability isn’t just about how a website performs; it also includes how it looks. Choices like colors and fonts are important because they reflect a brand’s values and keep users interested.

Web Design Colors: Bold vs. Subdued

Color trends for 2025 reflect two distinct approaches that cater to different branding needs:

Bold and Vibrant Shades: These colors, often paired with gradients and textured designs, create eye-catching visuals that energize users. They’re ideal for brands looking to stand out in crowded markets or convey a sense of innovation and energy.

Muted and Earthy Tones: Softer, natural shades like sage green, warm beige, and calming blues reflect minimalist and sustainable values. These tones create a sense of calm and balance, making them a great fit for industries focused on wellness, mindfulness, or eco-conscious initiatives. In line with this trend, Pantone has announced Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230) as the Color of the Year for 2025. This warm, rich brown hue evokes the comforts of cacao, chocolate, and coffee, appealing to a desire for luxury and natural beauty. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, describes Mocha Mousse as “sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic.”

📌 Design Tip: Both bold and muted palettes can be paired with dark mode options, offering users a customizable and visually sophisticated experience while reducing screen glare and conserving device battery life.

Trending Fonts for 2025

Typography is another powerful tool for communicating a brand’s identity, and the trends for 2025 balance creativity with functionality:

Retro-Inspired Fonts: Drawing from nostalgia, retro fonts with bold, vintage-inspired designs are making a comeback. These typefaces evoke familiarity and charm, adding personality and character to websites. They’re particularly effective for brands that want to blend modernity with a touch of classic flair.

Minimalist Sans-Serif Fonts: Clean, modern sans-serif fonts remain a staple, favored for their versatility and readability. These typefaces are a perfect match for minimalist and professional designs, providing a straightforward yet polished look that appeals to a wide audience.

📌 Typography Insight: Combining retro and minimalist fonts within a design can create a visually dynamic hierarchy, guiding users effortlessly through the content while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

This trend has a better understanding when you are looking at the specific example. One excellent example of scrollytelling in action is the interactive feature titled “The Road Was Long: A Voice from Ukraine” by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. This project showcases the power of combining narrative storytelling with immersive design.

As users scroll through the page, they’re led through the personal journey of a Ukrainian individual displaced by the war. The story is spread with dynamic visuals, holographic patterns, and thoughtful transitions that bring the narrative to life. Each scroll reveals new layers of information—photos, quotes, and maps—creating an emotional and impactful experience.

This scrollytelling approach not only engages users visually but also fosters a deeper connection to the story being told. It’s a prime example of how interactive design can lift storytelling, making it more persuasive and remarkable.

📌 Why It Works: By integrating multimedia elements and a clear narrative structure, this example keeps users engaged from start to finish, turning a story into an experience. This method is particularly effective for organizations and industries looking to convey complex or emotionally resonant content.

Minimalism continues to be a core principle in modern web design. By stripping away unnecessary elements, it allows the most important content and calls to action to stand out clearly. This design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and focuses on guiding users through a seamless experience.

White space is a crucial part of this approach. It provides balance, helps structure content, and makes the page feel more open and inviting. When paired with strong typography and thoughtfully chosen visuals, minimalism creates a clean and polished look that doesn’t overwhelm the user.

📌Example. The website of our partners at Kitrum demonstrates the power of minimalism. Their design uses white space strategically, ensuring content is easy to read and visually appealing.

By focusing on clarity and simplicity, they deliver an experience that feels both professional and approachable. It’s a perfect example of how minimalism can enhance usability and leave a strong impression.

Let’s talk about the UI/UX elements because sometimes the smallest things are the most important. Several elements are set to dominate in 2025:

• Micro-Interactions: Small, persistent animations that provide immediate feedback and guide user behavior.
• Custom Cursors: Interactive cursors that change shape or action based on user experience.
• Asymmetrical Layouts: Breaking the grid to create eye-catching and notable designs.
• Inclusive Design: Ensure that websites are convenient to users of all abilities, with features like adaptable text sizes and keyboard navigation.

The web design trends for 2025 reflect a proportionate balance between innovation and practicality. Latest technologies like Voice User Interfaces (VUIs) and Augmented Reality (AR) are reshaping the web context. At the same time, lasting principles like minimalism and sustainability continue to provide clarity and value. These trends are made to meet the progressing needs of users and businesses and ensure that websites stay engaging, efficient, and impactful.

At Whales Marketing, we don’t just keep up with these trends—we’re at the front of implementing them. Whether it’s integrating AI-driven personalization or embracing bold and fresh design approaches, our team is prepared to help you craft a digital presence that truly stands out in 2025 and beyond.

Additionally, if you’re considering a major update to your website, our insights on Strategic Website Redesign can guide you in making impactful decisions for growth.