As a designer you’ll realize that circles are the strongest shape in design. Circles seem to be making a comeback. The circle is a perfect shape, it is the same no matter how you look at it. There are two primary ways of using circles in website design:
- Including circle as a main shape for elements that can be traced throughout the design. In this technique, the majority of the essential elements of the website including navigation items, pop-up windows, logotype, images or sliders take after circle
- Including circular elements based on single appearance of this type of form, thereby, making it unique.
Why to use circle in web design?
While creating your branding design, it is not only important to consider the color and fonts but also the shapes as all these factors subconsciously speak about you and your products. When it comes to shapes, people are more at ease when circles are seen. Experts says that the following reasons help to explain the numerous benefits of using circle shapes in your design
The sense of familiarity
Circles are one of the most familiar shapes. And when one can recognize an object, it creates a feeling of security. Studies shows that people are more comfortable seeing and handling circular shapes in a website. In fact, it has been observed circular curves make it easier for the brain to process.
Easy to read interface
If you want your information to be easily read, put them directly into the circle and the reader will be drawn to that. Place the circular shapes on the most important information you have on the site. This ensures that your readers know exactly where to go and they’ll automatically focus on that area.
Easy to handle buttons
In a touch screen website, the circle mimics the shape of your fingertips. This enables the brain to recognize the function preventing less thought goes into action.
As a background
Circles are easy to use as a background because of the innate harmony associated with the shape. Circular backgrounds help to highlight the elements they surround, such as an icon that is placed within a circle.
However, do not overuse circular pattern as it can create a look of instability and chaos amongst countless elements.
Using CSS to create circles can make any element in the website stand out. However, you need to also pay attention to grid and maintain plenty of whitespace throughout the design. So if you’re choosing to use circle in your web design, following are the few important areas where implementing circular pattern tends to work well for a website.
Where to use circle in the web designing process?
Use circles for navigation
The emerging markets favoring mobility is choosing the use of circles for navigation. With the rise of touch screen devices, the push for patterning navigation is taking way off. As it is said earlier, the use of circle for a button intuitively connects with the user as it mimic the shape of a fingertip, automatically directing the user to press it.
Use of several circles on the background
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Using several semi-transparent circles for the background of your website make it look more appealing. Semi-transparent circles highlight the relevant parts of the website provided you use various colors that suits with the concept of the site.
Use circles for labels
Circles can be effectively used for labels to best inform the visitors what you would like them to know. However, in order to best highlight the label apply different colors to it. But it is best to use a solid color to make it more effective.
Use circle for icons
Circular icons are the most popular circular element used in web design. This is because they are usually image based and do not need CSS capabilities to play any major role in the use. Circular icons simply works and have been successfully able to decorate the web and take it in a different level altogether.
Use circle for galleries
This is especially applicable in a photography’s website. You can use circle in the galleries and categories of a site instead of grid style using rectangles and squares.
Use circle for logo
Using circle for logo is a popular choice as circle is one of the oldest symbols known to human being. Circular logo not only gives it a clean and minimalist feel, but it also imparts the impressions of class and sophistication. This is probably one of the reasons why designer prefer circular logo to represent a brand or a site.
Use circle for calls to action
Calls to actions (CTA) are always served well if they are given circular pattern. Similar to navigation, you must try to make the CTAs stand out in different ways in your site. CTAs are priority elements and should be treated accordingly to make it eye-catching. However, the usage of color should be attractive enough to encourage readers to execute some action in your site.
What are the different types of circle you can use?
Creative circles
Circles can be decorative and fancy and add beauty to your site. You may use layers, textures, swirls and half-tones to enhance the look of the circle. Some experts also usesmooth-lined circle with an artistic touch.
Multi-color circles
Multi-colored circles when used as a background helps to draw the reader’s attention towards the content of the web page. Not only this, multi-colored circles looks more interesting.
Retro circles
Retro circles help to give a vintage look to your website. You may add other elements to the retro circles, or use it for the background to make it look more attractive.
Subtle circles
No matter how simple the circle is, it can still draw the attention of the viewers because of the shape it used.
Patterned circle
Use circle with some form of patterns. Make sure you use the right kind of pattern to make a great combination.
The majority of the popular websites make utmost use of circle to their websites usable, readable and in harmony.