What stands out as an amazing web design project for you? Do you consider your creation a success if it is modern, minimalist and accessible? Maybe you’re the type of designer who is constantly experimenting with the latest dynamic design tools or cutting-edge technology. Perhaps your websites are vivid, lively and full of unique components?
Sometimes, creating the ideal design means thinking carefully about what you want to achieve for your client. The purpose of your web creation has a significant impact on the components you should consider. For example, if you expect a highly emotional and human design, it may be worth combining some of your sleek lines and graphics with hand-drawn elements.
The value of hand-drawn graphics in web design
Hand-drawn elements are like the other components of web design; that way it can be used to express individuality in a cluttered digital environment. In a world where everyone is focused on virtual and futuristic creations, hand-drawn elements can draw attention to the importance of humanity in their content.
As web designers, we know that visual components often impact people more than text-based content. Illustrations are very attractive functional elements that capture the audience’s attention and convey relevant information.
The main difference between hand-drawn elements and graphics built with vectors and other digital components is that one appears to be more influenced by the human hand than the other. Even if your illustrations are created on a screen, just like any other web design component, it pushes the audience to see something more direct, more natural and authentic.
For a brand trying to convey innocence and humanity in its personality, hand-drawn design can speak to the part of the human psyche that is often unappreciated by web design. Perhaps more than any other image, the content reminds your audience that there is a human being behind the website.
The value of hand-drawn functions in web design
Any image can have a massive impact on the quality of your web design. Images provide complex information in an easy-to-absorb format. In today’s world of fast-paced browsing, where distractions are everywhere, images are a method to capture attention and deliver value quickly.
However, with hand-drawn elements, you go beyond the basic functionality of the images to embrace the emotional side of the content. Benefits included:
- A memorable experience: web illustrations are increasingly popular among leading brands such as Innocent Smoothies and Dropbox. However, the time spent on these components means that they are still in short supply. If you want to stand out online, illustrations can help you do that.
- Brand personality: one of the most significant benefits of hand-drawn web design is to show the personality of your brand. The blocky lines of imperfect content found in the illustrated images highlight the human nature of your company. Many companies are eager to look “perfect” today to make the human touch much more appealing.
- Differentiation: as mentioned above, hand-drawn illustrations are still rare in the digital design landscape. If you’re struggling to find a way to make your brand stand out, this could be the solution. While there needs to be meaning behind your design, the result could be a more unique brand if you can convey that meaning correctly.
Tips for using hand-drawn elements in web design
Hand-drawn components, like any other element of visual web design, require careful strategy. You don’t want to overwhelm websites with these sketches, or you could end up hurting the user experience in the process.
As you work on your web designs, adding hand-drawn elements to the mix, think about how you can use each illustration to achieve a crucial goal. For example:
CREATES SEPARATION
Hand-drawn design components can be mixed and matched with other visual elements on your website. They work perfectly together with videos and photos and help to highlight critical points.
ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE
Sometimes, hand-drawn elements are about connecting with end users on a deeper, more emotional level. One of the best ways to do this is to make your hand-drawn elements fun and interactive pieces in the design landscape.
HIGHLIGHTS TITLES WITH TYPOGRAPHY
Sometimes, the best hand-drawn elements are not complete illustrations or images. Hand-drawn or doodle-like typography can also add depth to a brand image and website design.
Typographic styles that mimic natural, genuine handwriting are excellent for capturing the audience’s attention. These captivating components remind the customer of the human being behind the brand without detracting from the elegance of the website.
SETS THE MOOD
Depending on the company you’re designing for, your website creation choices can have a massive impact on the emotional resonance the brand has with its audience. Hand-drawn elements often allow websites to take on a more fun tone. They can give any project a touch of innocence and friendliness that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.
ANIMATED ELEMENTS
Finally, if you want to combine the unique nuances of hand-drawn design with the modern components of what is possible in today’s digital world, why not add some animation? Animated elements combined with illustrations can help bring a website to life.
Final thoughts on hand-drawn items
Hand-drawn elements have a lot to offer to the world of web design. Even if you’re not the best artist, you can simulate hand-drawn components in your web design using the right online tools and capabilities.
While these features will not fit well in every environment, they may be perfect for companies that want to show their human side in today’s highly digitized world. Hand-drawn components, perhaps more than any other web design feature, showcase the innocence and creativity of the artists that often exist behind portfolio pages and emerging brands.
Could you experiment with hand-drawn designs in your next project? If you need to outsource it, at Several we have professionals in the sector who will boost your project. Shall we talk?