THE FOLD -
The concept of “The Fold” came from magazines and newspapers where the attractive/important news was positioned in the top section such that the news was visible even if it was folded. Since newspapers are displayed and sold flat - if the headline or photo was compelling it could increase sales.
Similar is the concept of fold in web designing - the design/interface that is seen initially on the screen without the user having to scroll down to view content. Back in 1999, the screens were small and so this concept did the trick of attracting users to see, read and click on!
THE PARALLAX -
(understanding parallax)
It was when “Nike Better World website” came out with the concept of parallax, this new strategy went viral in the web design world. The concept spread like fire in the forest. With the advent of parallax, designers were amazed and started using this in every website and contract they got.
The concept of parallax was taken from video games that used multiple background images. This was generally done by making the background of the game move slower than the foreground in order to make it seem further away.
(We all remember this - Super mario game!)
This same concept applies to parallax website design in which the background of the website moves at a different speed than the rest of the page for an impressive visual effect that allows for countless creative applications for online storytelling. The reason parallax gained this level of popularity was because it was interesting and rewarding for the user! In 2003, parallax was the hottest web trend.
Also for the designer, weaving a story about the website became a very creative attempt. He/She bagged appreciations from all over.
(If you remember this projection of a fantastic love story)
Most designers never thought they could go wrong with it. After all, what could go wrong with something that everyone was loving so much?
But eventually like any other trend,the bubble grew bigger and bigger and finally bursted.. It faded eventually due to various reasons and then came in…
THE LONG SCROLL -
The design predictions of early 2014 predicted the increase of a single long screen scrolling. With mobile browsing overtaking desktop browsing in 2014, users mind clicking but do not object scrolling.
“Clicking is a choice, like jumping; scrolling is inevitable, like falling.”
Long-scrolling sites create a linear step-by-step format that matches storytelling. The pattern of new and familiar features builds a rhythm that gets the user wondering “what will happen next.” When done right, this can be an engrossing experience that the user won’t want to leave. Well it is becoming obvious that parallax scrolling is also under the umbrella of long scrolling. But the reverse is not true! Long scrolling has many other approaches that is gaining attention of designers and users- infinite scrolling and scroll activated animation. Stay tuned with CanvasFlip to know more about infinite scrolling and scroll activated animation!