Neumorphism, a UI design that blends the physical and digital world, is experiencing a resurgence in web design.
This design style combines elements of skeuomorphism and minimalism, creating a sense of depth and texture in the website’s interface. It offers a modern and unique approach to web design.
If you’re a business owner or just interested in the latest design trends that are taking the world by storm, understanding neumorphism can significantly help you create a visually appealing and user-friendly website.
If you need help implementing this trend into your web design process, website design agency in Chicago experts are here to help you comprehend this trend and provide essential tips.
What Does Neumorphism Stand For?
First and foremost, neumorphism combines skeuomorphic and minimalistic design principles. It uses soft shadows and gentle gradients to create subtle 3D-like elements. The process results in an interface that provides an aesthetic, modern, and unique platform.
This design approach adds a layer of depth that is easy on the eye without overwhelming the user. Another characteristic is that it’s not cluttered, with a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Here are some key characteristics of neumorphism:
- Gentle gradients: These gentle gradients add dimension and depth to the design process, which boosts the tactile feel.
- Soft shadows: Subtle shadows in this design can create a 3D effect, making elements appear as if extruding from the background.
- Minimalism: Neumorphism maintains simplicity in its design. This provides a clean and modern user experience.
- Muted color palettes: Neumorphism usually relies on muted, soft colors to maintain a minimalistic and clean look.
Where Did Neumorphism Come From?
Several factors contribute to the emergence of neumorphism in web design:
It Emphasizes A Flat Design
As the digital design process evolves, flat design is gaining immense popularity since it moves away from realism and embraces simplicity instead. This flat design relies on two-dimensional elements and lacks vibrant textures and shadows.
It Includes Elements of Skeuomorphism
In the early days of computers, the concept of skeuomorphism was mainly used to familiarize the digital interface. This was done by including elements from the physical world. For instance, buttons appeared raised, so they would depress when clicked on—mimicking real-world buttons.
Flat Design Mixed with Minimalism Created Neumorphism
The concept of neuromorphic design emerged simply as a response to the flatness of flat design—blending minimalism with elements of realism, ultimately creating a soft, tactile interface.
Why is Neumorphism Making A Comeback in 2025?
Again, several factors contributed to neumorphism web design making a comeback in 2025. Some of the most popular ones include:
- Blending the digital and physical world: This design bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, which makes interfaces seem more ‘realistic’ to the user. This can significantly boost the user’s connection with the design—making the overall experience more immersive.
- Modern and clean design: Neumorphism aligns with the current trend that emphasizes clean, minimalistic designs when it comes to websites. This makes it ideal for websites that prioritize a sleek, modern look.
- Enhanced user experience (UX): Adding subtle 3D effects to the process, this design concept can make interactive elements seem even more intuitive and user-friendly. Cards, buttons, and other interactive components appear more tactile. This invites users to interact with them.
- Aesthetic appeal: With neuromorphism, the user is provided with a visually appealing and fresh alternative. The soft shadows and gradients create a sense of depth and realism that makes the overall interface more engaging for the user.
3 Benefits of Using Neumorphism for Your Website
Here are the 3 benefits of relying on neumorphism for your website:
Visual Simplicity
Neurmophism’s sleek and simple look makes it ideal for digital products, which often consist of numerous screens and design concepts. This simplicity is essential in the digital environment, where users expect intuitive navigation and quick access to information.
The clean lines and uncluttered layouts of neumorphism help users focus on the content featured on the website rather than being distracted by excessive visual elements that shift their attention away.
Improved Tactility
Neurmophism’s UI components appear more tactile, which can help signify interactivity for users.
It relies on soft shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth. Button and other interactive elements look like they are gently pressing out from or sinking into the background.
Aesthetically Cohesive Experience
This design’s simplicity makes it easier for web designers to create an aesthetically cohesive experience, regardless of the number of screens a product has.
Consistency centered on simplicity can be considered a deal-breaker for brand identity, as it helps reinforce the brand’s visual message across various touchpoints.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Just with any web design trend, there are potential challenges. With this particular design style, you should look out for:
- Accessibility concerns: The reliance on low contrast can sometimes create accessibility issues—especially for users with visual impairments. Monochromatic elements can be difficult to distinguish, which makes it hard for users to identify buttons and other interactive features on the website.
- Overuse: While neumorphism can significantly boost user experience, overusing it and relying only on its practices can lead to an overwhelming experience for the user. Therefore, it’s important to use it strategically and in moderation. This will help the designer maintain a clean interface.
What Are The Best Practices for Implementing Neumorphism?
To include neumorphism in your web design process, you should consider the following factors:
- Use it sparingly: Apply this web design selectively to highlight key interactive elements—such as cards and buttons. Avoid using this design excessively because it can reduce user usability.
- Test with users: It’s essential to test your design’s functionality and user experience. Conduct user testing to gather feedback on its functionality and accessibility. This kind of testing will help the designer with any potential issues so that the designs meet the needs of all users.
- Combine it with other design trends: You should combine neumorphism with other design trends that are popular and functional—such as bold typography and motion design in this case. This creates a dynamic and engaging UX.
- Ensure sufficient contrast: You should rely on color combinations that offer enough contrast between the background and the elements to ensure accessibility and readability don’t pose a problem.
- Maintain a balance, always: You should balance this design with other design elements in order to create a user-friendly website. Avoid relying too much on any design trend alone and prioritize usability instead.
Final Comments
Overall, neumorphism’s comeback in 2025 reflects the desire among users and professionals for a cleaner interface that puts forward the idea of user-friendliness and visual appeal.
Blending elements of skeuomorphism and minimalism, this design offers a unique aesthetic that significantly enhances UX and accessibility—two critical factors of a successful website design.
