Like any other type of design, web design is constantly evolving and changing as new technologies and trends emerge. In 2025, we’re seeing a shift towards immersive, interactive experiences that blur the lines between the physical and digital. From futuristic-looking visuals that are inspired by gaming, to old-school nods to early-day web design, these trends are all about blending creativity with technological innovation.
Here's our round-up of the top web design trends to look out for in 2025.
1. Futuristic-looking sci-fi gaming UI
The sleek, high-tech look of sci-fi gaming interfaces is now finding its way into broader web design. Think immersive experiences with glowing edges, bright neon colours, holographic visuals, and intricate micro-interactions. Layered, translucent panels remind us of augmented reality, and bold colour schemes like neon greens and blues are paired with stark white contrasts. There's also a splash of dynamic animation that responds fluidly to user actions.
An example is ChainGPT. This site’s glowing accents and layered visuals transport users to another world.
2. Window and shadow overlays
This trend uses soft shadows and layered effects to create a sense of depth and realism (to transport the user into a more physical-like world). Originally popular in product mock-ups, it’s now a go-to for sophisticated web designs. You'll typically notice natural-looking shadows that mimic light falling, and a sense of hierarchy and depth through overlay effects. Organic and tactile aesthetics are at the forefront, without relying on traditional photography.
An example is Daylight Computer, featuring realistic shadow overlays, making the digital space feel tangible.
3. Dark themes and backgrounds
Dark themes are quickly becoming a must-have in modern web design. With their sleek, stylish and luxurious look, dark themes create a sense of sophistication while offering practicality. They reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments, and help other colours and design elements pop.
In 2025, more of us are using devices for extended periods. Dark themes are far easier on the eyes, particularly at night. This trend aligns with the growing emphasis on user-centric design. Dark themes also save battery life by using less energy for darker pixels. When it comes to their visual appeal, they give websites a modern, futuristic look. Regardless of your colour scheme, black and dark grey tones will match pretty much anything, working beautifully with bright accents, gradients, and minimalist layouts.
You can make a dark theme more unique by creating high contrast and a moody tone to leave a lasting impression. In fact, we recommend that when using dark themes, you focus on contrast. Ensure text and key elements are easy to read by pairing dark backgrounds with light, bold typography or vivid accent colours.
Dark themes are also pretty timeless, and won't age as quickly as other trends that come and go in a flash. An example is Elise Audio.
4. Glow effects
Glow elements are rapidly becoming a key feature of many website designs as we go into 2025. These luminous features draw attention to interactive components. They also enhance visual depth and provide immediate feedback, making websites feel more engaging and responsive.
By including glow effects around buttons, an interface is more dynamic, futuristic-looking and engaging. Glow effects highlight a general web design movement towards more immersive and interactive web experiences. Glowing backgrounds, light effects and halos mimic luminous effects that come with high-definition screens. They can also give a site a 90s retro theme with plenty of personality.
An example is Tux & Karma with it's beautifully engaging glowy background.
5. Flash-inspired designs
The more experimental designs of the early 2000s are back, serving up a slice of nostalgia with modern user-focused design. Flash-inspired visuals bring dynamic animations and bold interactions. We're talking vibrant animations, customised cursors, unpredictable navigation, quirky interactions and memorable 404 pages. Multi-layered designs reveal content stage by stage, and animations are triggered by user scrolling.
An example is Retro Nova World – an immersive and very quirky website experience that enables user scrolling to tell a dynamic story, with plenty of twists and turns to keep them engaged.
Another example is the Apple Airpods 4 site, with scroll effects guiding the user through product features in typical Apple style.
6. AI-generated imagery
AI tools are revolutionising web design by enabling designers to create detailed visuals more quickly and affordably. These images range from stylised illustrations, to hyper-realistic renders, offering endless possibilities. AI tools are being used more frequently to design concepts and prototypes at a fraction of the time and cost it would take to do them manually. Customised, stylised visuals are also easier to achieve thanks to AI.
An example tool is Visual Electric – an AI platform in which users can create stock photography and other imagery using AI prompts.
