Original Source: https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/12/creating-effective-multistep-form-better-user-experience/

For a multistep form, planning involves structuring questions logically across steps, grouping similar questions, and minimizing the number of steps and the amount of required information for each step. Whatever makes each step focused and manageable is what should be aimed for.

In this tutorial, we will create a multistep form for a job application. Here are the details we are going to be requesting from the applicant at each step:

Personal Information
Collects applicant’s name, email, and phone number.
Work Experience
Collects the applicant’s most recent company, job title, and years of experience.
Skills & Qualifications
The applicant lists their skills and selects their highest degree.
Review & Submit
This step is not going to collect any information. Instead, it provides an opportunity for the applicant to go back and review the information entered in the previous steps of the form before submitting it.

You can think of structuring these questions as a digital way of getting to know somebody. You can’t meet someone for the first time and ask them about their work experience without first asking for their name.

Based on the steps we have above, this is what the body of our HTML with our form should look like. First, the main <form> element:

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>
<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>
<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>
<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
</form>

Step 1 is for filling in personal information, like the applicant’s name, email address, and phone number:

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>
<fieldset class=”step” id=”step-1″>
<legend id=”step1Label”>Step 1: Personal Information</legend>
<label for=”name”>Full Name</label>
<input type=”text” id=”name” name=”name” required />
<label for=”email”>Email Address</label>
<input type=”email” id=”email” name=”email” required />
<label for=”phone”>Phone Number</label>
<input type=”tel” id=”phone” name=”phone” required />
</fieldset>

<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>
<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>
<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
</form>

Once the applicant completes the first step, we’ll navigate them to Step 2, focusing on their work experience so that we can collect information like their most recent company, job title, and years of experience. We’ll tack on a new <fieldset> with those inputs:

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>

<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>
<fieldset class=”step” id=”step-2″ hidden>
<legend id=”step2Label”>Step 2: Work Experience</legend>
<label for=”company”>Most Recent Company</label>
<input type=”text” id=”company” name=”company” required />
<label for=”jobTitle”>Job Title</label>
<input type=”text” id=”jobTitle” name=”jobTitle” required />
<label for=”yearsExperience”>Years of Experience</label>
<input
type=”number”
id=”yearsExperience”
name=”yearsExperience”
min=”0″
required
/>
</fieldset>

<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>
<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
</form>

Step 3 is all about the applicant listing their skills and qualifications for the job they’re applying for:

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>
<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>

<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>
<fieldset class=”step” id=”step-3″ hidden>
<legend id=”step3Label”>Step 3: Skills & Qualifications</legend>
<label for=”skills”>Skill(s)</label>
<textarea id=”skills” name=”skills” rows=”4″ required></textarea>
<label for=”highestDegree”>Degree Obtained (Highest)</label>
<select id=”highestDegree” name=”highestDegree” required>
<option value=””>Select Degree</option>
<option value=”highschool”>High School Diploma</option>
<option value=”bachelor”>Bachelor’s Degree</option>
<option value=”master”>Master’s Degree</option>
<option value=”phd”>Ph.D.</option>
</select>
</fieldset>
<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
<fieldset class=”step” id=”step-4″ hidden>
<legend id=”step4Label”>Step 4: Review & Submit</legend>
<p>Review your information before submitting the application.</p>
<button type=”submit”>Submit Application</button>
</fieldset>
</form>

And, finally, we’ll allow the applicant to review their information before submitting it:

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>
<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>
<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>

<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
<fieldset class=”step” id=”step-4″ hidden>
<legend id=”step4Label”>Step 4: Review & Submit</legend>
<p>Review your information before submitting the application.</p>
<button type=”submit”>Submit Application</button>
</fieldset>
</form>

Notice: We’ve added a hidden attribute to every fieldset element but the first one. This ensures that the user sees only the first step. Once they are done with the first step, they can proceed to fill out their work experience on the second step by clicking a navigational button. We’ll add this button later on.

Adding Styles

To keep things focused, we’re not going to be emphasizing the styles in this tutorial. What we’ll do to keep things simple is leverage the Simple.css style framework to get the form in good shape for the rest of the tutorial.

If you’re following along, we can include Simple’s styles in the document <head>:

<link rel=”stylesheet” href=”https://cdn.simplecss.org/simple.min.css” />

And from there, go ahead and create a style.css file with the following styles that I’ve folded up.

<details>
<summary>View CSS</summary>
body {
min-height: 100vh;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
main {
padding: 0 30px;
}
h1 {
font-size: 1.8rem;
text-align: center;
}
.stepper {
display: flex;
justify-content: flex-end;
padding-right: 10px;
}
form {
box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
padding: 12px;
}
input,
textarea,
select {
outline: none;
}
input:valid,
textarea:valid,
select:valid,
input:focus:valid,
textarea:focus:valid,
select:focus:valid {
border-color: green;
}
input:focus:invalid,
textarea:focus:invalid,
select:focus:invalid {
border: 1px solid red;
}
</details>

Form Navigation And Validation

An easy way to ruin the user experience for a multi-step form is to wait until the user gets to the last step in the form before letting them know of any error they made along the way. Each step of the form should be validated for errors before moving on to the next step, and descriptive error messages should be displayed to enable users to understand what is wrong and how to fix it.

Now, the only part of our form that is visible is the first step. To complete the form, users need to be able to navigate to the other steps. We are going to use several buttons to pull this off. The first step is going to have a Next button. The second and third steps are going to have both a Previous and a Next button, and the fourth step is going to have a Previous and a Submit button.

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<!– Step 1: Personal Information –>
<fieldset>
<!– … –>
<button type=”button” class=”next” onclick=”nextStep()”>Next</button>
</fieldset>

<!– Step 2: Work Experience –>
<fieldset>
<!– … –>
<button type=”button” class=”previous” onclick=”previousStep()”>Previous</button>
<button type=”button” class=”next” onclick=”nextStep()”>Next</button>
</fieldset>

<!– Step 3: Skills & Qualifications –>
<fieldset>
<!– … –>
<button type=”button” class=”previous” onclick=”previousStep()”>Previous</button>
<button type=”button” class=”next” onclick=”nextStep()”>Next</button>
</fieldset>

<!– Step 4: Review & Submit –>
<fieldset>
<!– … –>
<button type=”button” class=”previous” onclick=”previousStep()”>Previous</button>
<button type=”submit”>Submit Application</button>
</fieldset>
</form>

Notice: We’ve added onclick attributes to the Previous and Next buttons to link them to their respective JavaScript functions: previousStep() and nextStep().

The “Next” Button

The nextStep() function is linked to the Next button. Whenever the user clicks the Next button, the nextStep() function will first check to ensure that all the fields for whatever step the user is on have been filled out correctly before moving on to the next step. If the fields haven’t been filled correctly, it displays some error messages, letting the user know that they’ve done something wrong and informing them what to do to make the errors go away.

Before we go into the implementation of the nextStep function, there are certain variables we need to define because they will be needed in the function. First, we need the input fields from the DOM so we can run checks on them to make sure they are valid.

// Step 1 fields
const name = document.getElementById(“name”);
const email = document.getElementById(“email”);
const phone = document.getElementById(“phone”);

// Step 2 fields
const company = document.getElementById(“company”);
const jobTitle = document.getElementById(“jobTitle”);
const yearsExperience = document.getElementById(“yearsExperience”);

// Step 3 fields
const skills = document.getElementById(“skills”);
const highestDegree = document.getElementById(“highestDegree”);

Then, we’re going to need an array to store our error messages.

let errorMsgs = [];

Also, we would need an element in the DOM where we can insert those error messages after they’ve been generated. This element should be placed in the HTML just below the last fieldset closing tag:

<div id=”errorMessages” style=”color: rgb(253, 67, 67)”></div>

Add the above div to the JavaScript code using the following line:

const errorMessagesDiv = document.getElementById(“errorMessages”);

And finally, we need a variable to keep track of the current step.

let currentStep = 1;

Now that we have all our variables in place, here’s the implementation of the nextstep() function:

function nextStep() {
errorMsgs = [];
errorMessagesDiv.innerText = “”;

switch (currentStep) {
case 1:
addValidationErrors(name, email, phone);
validateStep(errorMsgs);
break;

case 2:
addValidationErrors(company, jobTitle, yearsExperience);
validateStep(errorMsgs);
break;

case 3:
addValidationErrors(skills, highestDegree);
validateStep(errorMsgs);
break;
}
}

The moment the Next button is pressed, our code first checks which step the user is currently on, and based on this information, it validates the data for that specific step by calling the addValidationErrors() function. If there are errors, we display them. Then, the form calls the validateStep() function to verify that there are no errors before moving on to the next step. If there are errors, it prevents the user from going on to the next step.

Whenever the nextStep() function runs, the error messages are cleared first to avoid appending errors from a different step to existing errors or re-adding existing error messages when the addValidationErrors function runs. The addValidationErrors function is called for each step using the fields for that step as arguments.

Here’s how the addValidationErrors function is implemented:

function addValidationErrors(fieldOne, fieldTwo, fieldThree = undefined) {
if (!fieldOne.checkValidity()) {
const label = document.querySelector(label[for=”${fieldOne.id}”]);
errorMsgs.push(Please Enter A Valid ${label.textContent});
}

if (!fieldTwo.checkValidity()) {
const label = document.querySelector(label[for=”${fieldTwo.id}”]);
errorMsgs.push(Please Enter A Valid ${label.textContent});
}

if (fieldThree && !fieldThree.checkValidity()) {
const label = document.querySelector(label[for=”${fieldThree.id}”]);
errorMsgs.push(Please Enter A Valid ${label.textContent});
}

if (errorMsgs.length > 0) {
errorMessagesDiv.innerText = errorMsgs.join(“n”);
}
}

This is how the validateStep() function is defined:

function validateStep(errorMsgs) {
if (errorMsgs.length === 0) {
showStep(currentStep + 1);
}
}

The validateStep() function checks for errors. If there are none, it proceeds to the next step with the help of the showStep() function.

function showStep(step) {
steps.forEach((el, index) => {
el.hidden = index + 1 !== step;
});
currentStep = step;
}

The showStep() function requires the four fieldsets in the DOM. Add the following line to the top of the JavaScript code to make the fieldsets available:

const steps = document.querySelectorAll(“.step”);

What the showStep() function does is to go through all the fieldsets in our form and hide whatever fieldset is not equal to the one we’re navigating to. Then, it updates the currentStep variable to be equal to the step we’re navigating to.

The “Previous” Button

The previousStep() function is linked to the Previous button. Whenever the previous button is clicked, similarly to the nextStep function, the error messages are also cleared from the page, and navigation is also handled by the showStep function.

function previousStep() {
errorMessagesDiv.innerText = “”;
showStep(currentStep – 1);
}

Whenever the showStep() function is called with “currentStep – 1” as an argument (as in this case), we go back to the previous step, while moving to the next step happens by calling the showStep() function with “currentStep + 1″ as an argument (as in the case of the validateStep() function).

Improving User Experience With Visual Cues

One other way of improving the user experience for a multi-step form, is by integrating visual cues, things that will give users feedback on the process they are on. These things can include a progress indicator or a stepper to help the user know the exact step they are on.

Integrating A Stepper

To integrate a stepper into our form (sort of like this one from Material Design), the first thing we need to do is add it to the HTML just below the opening <form> tag.

<form id=”jobApplicationForm”>
<div class=”stepper”>
<span><span class=”currentStep”>1</span>/4</span>
</div>
<!– … –>
</form>

Next, we need to query the part of the stepper that will represent the current step. This is the span tag with the class name of currentStep.

const currentStepDiv = document.querySelector(“.currentStep”);

Now, we need to update the stepper value whenever the previous or next buttons are clicked. To do this, we need to update the showStep() function by appending the following line to it:

currentStepDiv.innerText = currentStep;

This line is added to the showStep() function because the showStep() function is responsible for navigating between steps and updating the currentStep variable. So, whenever the currentStep variable is updated, the currentStepDiv should also be updated to reflect that change.

Storing And Retrieving User Data

One major way we can improve the form’s user experience is by storing user data in the browser. Multistep forms are usually long and require users to enter a lot of information about themselves. Imagine a user filling out 95% of a form, then accidentally hitting the F5 button on their keyboard and losing all their progress. That would be a really bad experience for the user.

Using localStorage, we can store user information as soon as it is entered and retrieve it as soon as the DOM content is loaded, so users can always continue filling out their forms from wherever they left off. To add this feature to our forms, we can begin by saving the user’s information as soon as it is typed. This can be achieved using the input event.

Before adding the input event listener, get the form element from the DOM:

const form = document.getElementById(“jobApplicationForm”);

Now we can add the input event listener:

// Save data on each input event
form.addEventListener(“input”, () => {
const formData = {
name: document.getElementById(“name”).value,
email: document.getElementById(“email”).value,
phone: document.getElementById(“phone”).value,
company: document.getElementById(“company”).value,
jobTitle: document.getElementById(“jobTitle”).value,
yearsExperience: document.getElementById(“yearsExperience”).value,
skills: document.getElementById(“skills”).value,
highestDegree: document.getElementById(“highestDegree”).value,
};
localStorage.setItem(“formData”, JSON.stringify(formData));
});

Next, we need to add some code to help us retrieve the user data once the DOM content is loaded.

window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”, () => {
const savedData = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(“formData”));
if (savedData) {
document.getElementById(“name”).value = savedData.name || “”;
document.getElementById(“email”).value = savedData.email || “”;
document.getElementById(“phone”).value = savedData.phone || “”;
document.getElementById(“company”).value = savedData.company || “”;
document.getElementById(“jobTitle”).value = savedData.jobTitle || “”;
document.getElementById(“yearsExperience”).value = savedData.yearsExperience || “”;
document.getElementById(“skills”).value = savedData.skills || “”;
document.getElementById(“highestDegree”).value = savedData.highestDegree || “”;
}
});

Lastly, it is good practice to remove data from localStorage as soon as it is no longer needed:

// Clear data on form submit
form.addEventListener(‘submit’, () => {
// Clear localStorage once the form is submitted
localStorage.removeItem(‘formData’);
});

Adding The Current Step Value To localStorage

If the user accidentally closes their browser, they should be able to return to wherever they left off. This means that the current step value also has to be saved in localStorage.

To save this value, append the following line to the showStep() function:

localStorage.setItem(“storedStep”, currentStep);

Now we can retrieve the current step value and return users to wherever they left off whenever the DOM content loads. Add the following code to the DOMContentLoaded handler to do so:

const storedStep = localStorage.getItem(“storedStep”);

if (storedStep) {
const storedStepInt = parseInt(storedStep);
steps.forEach((el, index) => {
el.hidden = index + 1 !== storedStepInt;
});
currentStep = storedStepInt;
currentStepDiv.innerText = currentStep;
}

Also, do not forget to clear the current step value from localStorage when the form is submitted.

localStorage.removeItem(“storedStep”);

The above line should be added to the submit handler.

Wrapping Up

Creating multi-step forms can help improve user experience for complex data entry. By carefully planning out steps, implementing form validation at each step, and temporarily storing user data in the browser, you make it easier for users to complete long forms.

For the full implementation of this multi-step form, you can access the complete code on GitHub.

Original Source: https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/12/bundle-up-and-save/

Earlier this month, we wrapped up our SmashingConfs 2024, and one subject that kept coming up over and over again — among attendees, between speakers, and even within the staff — was “what would we like to get better at next year?”

It seems like everyone has a different answer, but one thing is for sure: Smashing can help you with that. 😉

Save 30% on Books and Workshops (3+ items)

Good news for people who love a good value for a friendly price: until Thursday, 5 December, you can save 30% off three or more books and eBooks, 30% off three or more workshops, or get the entire Smashing eBook library for $75. This is a perfect time to set yourself up for a year of learning in 2025.

Build Your Own Bundle!

Our hardcover books are our editorial flagships. They deliver in-depth knowledge and expertise shared by experts from the industry. No fluff or theory, only practical tips and insights you can apply to your work right away.

No matter if you want to complete your existing Smashing book collection or start one from scratch, you can now pick and mix your favorite books and eBooks from our Smashing Books line-up to create a bundle tailored to your needs. Or take a look at our bundle recommendations below for some inspiration.

Browse all Smashing Books →

Save 30% with 3 or more books. No ifs or buts!

Until Thursday, 5 December, the 30% book discount will automatically apply to your cart once you add three or more items. Please note that the discount can’t be combined with other discounts.

Once you’ve decided which books should go into your bundle, we’ll pack everything up safely and send the parcel right to your doorstep from our warehouse in Germany. Shipping is free worldwide. Check delivery times.

Book Bundle Recommendations

We know decisions can be hard, that’s why we collected some ideas for themed book bundles to make the choice at least a bit easier. These bundles are perfect if you want to enhance your skills in one particular field.

You can click on each book title to jump to the details and add the book to your cart. The discount will be applied during checkout.

Front-End Bundle

Save 30% on the complete bundle.
Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $146.25
Bundle price: $102.38

Front-End Bundle dives deep into the challenges front-end developers face in their work every day — whether it’s performance, TypeScript and Image Optimization. You’ll learn practical strategies to make your workflow more efficient, but also gain precious insights into how teams at Instagram, Shopify, Netflix, eBay, Figma, Spotify tackle common challenges and frustrations.

Success at Scale by Addy Osmani
TypeScript in 50 Lessons by Stefan Baumgartner
Image Optimization by Addy Osmani

Design Best Practices Bundle

Save 30% on the complete bundle.
Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $146.25
Bundle price: $102.38

Design Best Practices Bundle is all about creating respectful, engaging experiences that put your users’ well-being and privacy first. The practical and tactical tips help you encourage users to act — without employing dark patterns and manipulative techniques — and grow a sustainable digital business that becomes more profitable as a result.

Click! How to Encourage Clicks Without Shady Tricks by Paul Boag
Understanding Privacy by Heather Burns
The Ethical Design Handbook by Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim Andersen

Interface Design Bundle

Save 30% on the complete bundle.
Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $144.00
Bundle price: $100.80

A lot of websites these days look rather generic. Our Interface Design Bundle will make you think outside the box, exploring how you can create compelling, effective user experiences, with clear intent and purpose — for both desktop and mobile.

Touch Design for Mobile Interfaces by Steven Hoober
Art Direction for the Web by Andy Clarke
Smart Interface Design Patterns Checklist Cards by Vitaly Friedman

Big Design Bundle

Save 30% on the complete bundle.
Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $292.50
Bundle price: $204.75

The Big Design Bundle shines a light on the fine little details that go into building cohesive, human-centered experiences. Covering everything from design systems to form design patterns, mobile design to UX, and data privacy to ethical design, it provides you with a solid foundation for designing products that stand out from the crowd.

Click! How to Encourage Clicks Without Shady Tricks by Paul Boag
The Ethical Design Handbook by Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim Andersen
Design Systems by Alla Kholmatova
Form Design Patterns by Adam Silver
Touch Design for Mobile Interfaces by Steven Hoober
Understanding Privacy by Heather Burns

Special Deal For eBook Lovers

Get all eBooks for $75. You’re more of an eBook kind of person? The bundle-up discounts do apply to eBooks, too, of course. Or take a look at our Smashing Library to save even more: It includes 68 eBooks (including all our latest releases) for $75 (PDF, ePUB, and Kindle formats). Perfect to keep all your favorite books close when you’re on the go.

Bundle Up On Online Workshops: 30% Off On 3+ Workshops

Ready to dig even deeper? Whether you want to explore design patterns for AI interfaces, learn how to plan a design system, or master the art of storytelling, our online workshops are a friendly way to boost your skills online and learn practical, actionable insights from experts, live.

To prepare for the challenges that 2025 might have in store for you, you can now bundle up 3 or more online workshops and save 30% on the total price with code BUNDLEUP. Please note that the discount can’t be combined with other discounts. Take a look at all our upcoming workshops and start your smashing learning journey this winter.

Custom Bundles To Fit Your Needs!

Do you need a custom bundle? At Smashing, we would love to know how we can help you and your team make the best of 2025. Let’s think big!

We’d be happy to craft custom bundles that work for you:

Group discounts on large teams for Smashing Membership,
Bulk discounts on books or other learning materials for education or non-profit groups,
Door prize packages for meetups and events,
…any other possibilities for your team, your office, your career path. Let us know via contact form!

We are always looking for new ways to support our community. Please contact us if you’d like us to craft a custom bundle for your needs, or if you have any questions at all. Let’s have a great year!

Community Matters ❤️

Producing a book or a workshop takes quite a bit of time, and we couldn’t pull it off without the support of our wonderful community. A huge shout-out to Smashing Members for their kind, ongoing support. 👏 Happy learning, everyone!

Original Source: https://smashingmagazine.com/2024/11/desktop-wallpaper-calendars-december-2024/

As the year is coming to a close, many of us feel rushed, meeting deadlines, finishing off projects, or preparing for the upcoming holiday season. So how about some beautiful, wintery desktop wallpapers to sweeten up the month and get you in the mood for December — and the holidays, if you’re celebrating?

More than thirteen years ago, we started our monthly wallpapers series here at Smashing Magazine. It’s the perfect opportunity to put your creative skills to the test but also to find just the right wallpaper to accompany you through the new month. This month is no exception, of course, so following our cozy little tradition, we have a new collection of December wallpapers for you to choose from. All of them were created with love by artists and designers from across the globe and can be downloaded for free.

A huge thank you to everyone who tickled their creativity and shared their designs with us. This post wouldn’t exist without you. ❤️ Happy December!

You can click on every image to see a larger preview.
We respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience through their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.
Submit your wallpaper design! 👩‍🎨
Feeling inspired? We are always looking for creative talent and would love to feature your desktop wallpaper in one of our upcoming posts. We can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Paws-itively Festive!

“This holiday season, even our furry friends are getting in the spirit! Our mischievous little tree-topper has found the purr-fect perch to keep an eye on all the festivities. May your days be merry, bright, and filled with joyful surprises just like this one!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Merry Christmmm…

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

preview
with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160
without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Dung Beetle

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

preview
with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160
without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Dear Moon, Merry Christmas

Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Georgia.

preview
without calendar: 800×480, 800×600, 1024×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1440×960, 1600×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 2880×1800, 3072×1920, 3840×2160, 5120×2880

Cardinals In Snowfall

“During Christmas season, in the cold, colorless days of winter, Cardinal birds are seen as symbols of faith and warmth. In the part of America I live in, there is snowfall every December. While the snow is falling, I can see gorgeous Cardinals flying in and out of my patio. The intriguing color palette of the bright red of the Cardinals, the white of the flurries and the brown/black of dry twigs and fallen leaves on the snow-laden ground fascinates me a lot, and inspired me to create this quaint and sweet, hand-illustrated surface pattern design as I wait for the snowfall in my town!” — Designed by Gyaneshwari Dave from the United States.

preview
without calendar: 640×960, 768×1024, 1280×720, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

The House On The River Drina

“Since we often yearn for a peaceful and quiet place to work, we have found inspiration in the famous house on the River Drina in Bajina Bašta, Serbia. Wouldn’t it be great being in nature, away from civilization, swaying in the wind and listening to the waves of the river smashing your house, having no neighbors to bother you? Not sure about the Internet, though…” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Enchanted Blizzard

“A seemingly forgotten world under the shade of winter glaze hides a moment where architecture meets fashion and change encounters steadiness.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Christmas Cookies

“Christmas is coming and a great way to share our love is by baking cookies.” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 640×1136, 750×1334, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1242×2208, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Sweet Snowy Tenderness

“You know that warm feeling when you get to spend cold winter days in a snug, homey, relaxed atmosphere? Oh, yes, we love it, too! It is the sentiment we set our hearts on for the holiday season, and this sweet snowy tenderness is for all of us who adore watching the snowfall from our windows. Isn’t it romantic?” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Getting Hygge

“There’s no more special time for a fire than in the winter. Cozy blankets, warm beverages, and good company can make all the difference when the sun goes down. We’re all looking forward to generating some hygge this winter, so snuggle up and make some memories.” — Designed by The Hannon Group from Washington D.C.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Anonymoose

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

preview
without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Joy To The World

“Joy to the world, all the boys and girls now, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me.” — Designed by Morgan Newnham from Boulder, Colorado.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

King Of Pop

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

preview
without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Christmas Woodland

Designed by Mel Armstrong from Australia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Catch Your Perfect Snowflake

“This time of year, people tend to dream big and expect miracles. Let your dreams come true!” Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

preview
without calendar: 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2560×1600

Trailer Santa

“A mid-century modern Christmas scene outside the norm of snowflakes and winter landscapes.” Designed by Houndstooth from the United States.

preview
without calendar: 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1440

Silver Winter

Designed by Violeta Dabija from Moldova.

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Gifts Lover

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

preview
without calendar: 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

On To The Next One

“Endings intertwined with new beginnings, challenges we rose to and the ones we weren’t up to, dreams fulfilled and opportunities missed. The year we say goodbye to leaves a bitter-sweet taste, but we’re thankful for the lessons, friendships, and experiences it gave us. We look forward to seeing what the new year has in store, but, whatever comes, we will welcome it with a smile, vigor, and zeal.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

The Matterhorn

“Christmas is always such a magical time of year so we created this wallpaper to blend the majestry of the mountains with a little bit of magic.” — Designed by Dominic Leonard from the United Kingdom.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1400×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Ninja Santa

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

preview
without calendar: 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

It’s In The Little Things

Designed by Thaïs Lenglez from Belgium.

preview
without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Ice Flowers

“I took some photos during a very frosty and cold week before Christmas.” Designed by Anca Varsandan from Romania.

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Surprise

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” — Designed by PlusCharts from India.

preview
without calendar: 360×640, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×900, 1680×1200, 1920×1080

Season’s Greetings From Australia

Designed by Tazi Designs from Australia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Christmas Selfie

Designed by Emanuela Carta from Italy.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1440

Winter Wonderland

“‘Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.’ (Edith Sitwell) — Designed by Dipanjan Karmakar from India.

preview
without calendar: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Winter Morning

“Early walks in the fields when the owls still sit on the fences and stare funny at you.” — Designed by Bo Dockx from Belgium.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Dream What You Want To Do

“The year will end, hope the last month, you can do what you want to do, seize the time, cherish yourself, expect next year we will be better!” — Designed by Hong Zi-Qing from Taiwan.

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×960, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1530×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Happy Holidays

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Spain.

preview
without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Original Source: https://webdesignerdepot.com/key-psychological-principles-in-web-design-a-deep-dive/

Web design is not merely an exercise in aesthetics; it is a blend of art and science where psychology plays a crucial role. Understanding how users think, perceive, and behave online allows designers to create interfaces that feel intuitive, trustworthy, and engaging.

By incorporating psychological principles, web designers can craft experiences that resonate with users, leading to higher engagement, better usability, and stronger brand loyalty. This article explores key psychological principles in web design, illustrated with examples.

The Principle of Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy refers to the arrangement and prioritization of elements on a web page to guide users’ attention. The human brain naturally seeks order, and effective web design leverages this by organizing content in a way that aligns with users’ expectations.

For example, consider the homepage of a news website. Headlines are often displayed in bold, large fonts at the top of the page, while subheadings and body text are smaller and less prominent. This hierarchy directs the user’s focus to the most important content first. The New York Times website exemplifies this principle by combining size, color, and spacing to create a clear flow of information. Large headlines draw attention, images add visual weight, and subtle dividers delineate sections.

Gestalt Principles of Perception

Gestalt psychology explores how people perceive patterns and organize visual information. Several Gestalt principles are particularly relevant to web design, such as proximity, similarity, continuity, and closure.

For instance, the principle of proximity suggests that elements placed close together are perceived as related. Designers use this principle to group navigation links, making it clear that they are part of a cohesive menu. On e-commerce platforms like Amazon, products are grouped into categories with clear visual boundaries, helping users quickly identify relationships between items.

The principle of similarity, on the other hand, dictates that items sharing visual characteristics (e.g., color, shape, or size) are seen as part of the same group. This is why buttons across a website often share the same style—users instinctively recognize them as interactive elements.

Hick’s Law and Decision Making

Hick’s Law states that the time required to make a decision increases with the number of choices available. This principle highlights the importance of simplifying options to avoid overwhelming users.

A prime example of Hick’s Law in action is seen on landing pages for subscription services like Netflix. Instead of presenting a complex array of pricing plans and features upfront, Netflix streamlines the decision-making process by guiding users with a single call-to-action: “Start Your Free Trial.” Additional options and details are revealed incrementally, reducing cognitive load and encouraging users to proceed.

The Role of Color Psychology

Color profoundly influences user behavior and perception, evoking specific emotions and associations. In web design, color can enhance brand identity, guide attention, and affect user decisions.

For example, financial websites often use blue as a primary color due to its association with trust and stability. PayPal employs a blue-dominated color scheme, reinforcing its image as a reliable payment platform. Similarly, e-commerce websites like Amazon use vibrant orange or yellow for “Buy Now” buttons, leveraging these colors’ associations with urgency and positivity.

The Fitt’s Law and Interactive Design

Fitt’s Law states that the time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target. In web design, this principle emphasizes the importance of designing buttons and interactive elements that are easy to locate and click.

Apple’s website demonstrates this principle effectively. Navigation menus are spacious, and clickable elements such as buttons and icons are large enough to ensure usability across devices. This is especially crucial in mobile design, where smaller screens demand thoughtful placement and sizing of touch targets.

Cognitive Load and Simplicity

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information. Websites with cluttered designs or excessive text can overwhelm users, leading to frustration and abandonment.

Google’s homepage is an archetype of simplicity. With its iconic search bar as the focal point, the page minimizes distractions and allows users to focus entirely on their primary task: searching. By reducing cognitive load, Google ensures that users can interact with the site effortlessly.

The Power of Reciprocity in Persuasion

The principle of reciprocity, rooted in social psychology, suggests that people are inclined to return favors. In web design, this principle can be applied to foster goodwill and encourage user action.

HubSpot, for instance, offers free resources such as e-books, templates, and tools. This creates a sense of reciprocity, making users more likely to engage with their paid services in the future. By offering value upfront, the website establishes trust and fosters a positive relationship with its audience.

Trust and Social Proof

Trust is a cornerstone of user experience, and social proof is a powerful psychological mechanism for building it. Social proof includes user reviews, testimonials, ratings, and case studies, which reassure potential users by demonstrating that others have had positive experiences.

TripAdvisor exemplifies this principle by prominently displaying reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. The volume and variety of reviews give users confidence in making informed decisions, reducing uncertainty.

Scarcity and Urgency in E-Commerce

Scarcity creates a sense of urgency, motivating users to act quickly. This psychological principle is frequently used in e-commerce to drive conversions.

Booking.com leverages scarcity by showing messages like “Only 2 rooms left!” or “10 people are looking at this hotel.” These prompts tap into the fear of missing out (FOMO), nudging users to complete their bookings promptly.

Anchoring Effect in Pricing Strategies

The anchoring effect occurs when people rely heavily on the first piece of information they encounter. In web design, this principle is often used in pricing tables.

For instance, SaaS companies like Adobe Creative Cloud display their premium plans alongside lower-cost alternatives. By showcasing the higher-priced option first, users perceive the subsequent, lower-priced plans as more affordable, even if they are still relatively expensive.

Conclusion

Incorporating psychological principles into web design is not just about making a website visually appealing; it’s about creating an intuitive and engaging experience that aligns with human behavior.

By understanding concepts like visual hierarchy, Gestalt principles, Hick’s Law, and cognitive load, designers can craft interfaces that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant.

The interplay between psychology and design ensures that websites are more than digital storefronts—they become meaningful spaces that cater to users’ needs and desires.