What is the Glassmorphism Web Design Trend?

If you have an iPhone, just take a quick look at the folders around your apps. If you’re using Windows, have a peruse of some of the UI elements on your screen right now. Can you see a frosted glass effect anywhere? Yes? There you go, that’s glassmorphism.

So, What Are the Qualities of Glassmorphism? 

While glassmorphism isn’t a complete set of design principles in the way that brutalism or neubrutalism are, it’s a technique that’s been growing in popularity over the past few years.

With the term only coined back in 2020, the concept of the background blur was first widely introduced in 2013 with iOS 7.

“That verticality and the fact you can see through it, means users can establish hierarchy and depth of the interface. They simply see which layer is on top of which, just like pieces of virtual glass.Because of that glassy look, I believe the best way to call it is glassmorphism.” – Michal Malewicz

Common characteristics of glassmorphism include:

• Translucency (like frosted glass using a background blur)
• A subtle, light border around the glassmorphic object
• Vivid colors
• Multi-layered approach
• Gradients
• Objects floating in space

A Brief History of Glassmorphism 

Remember the skeuomorphism trend? It began to take shape in the 1980s, and is a technique that favors mimicking real objects in the digital world.

The original UI for Apple’s iBooks on the iPad is a common example. Especially in the earlier days of the web when much of the population wasn’t quite as used to technology filling every corner of our lives, skeuomorphism almost showed us how to engage with our screens by recreating common objects that are familiar to us in the real world. 

Although less popular now than back in the day, the trend is by no means dead. Just take a look at the trash can on your computer, for example. 

Glassmorphism took skeuomorphism and shook it up. 

Whereas a skeuomorphic approach to glass would be to recreate the exact look (perhaps with window sills, window baskets, and panes to encourage the user to click to open), glassmorphism recreates the feeling of glass. The user would not be at risk of thinking they are seeing a real panel of glass on their screen, but a clear digital expression of the physical object. 

Why Use Glassmorphism in Web Design?

• Ultimately, it’s a useful technique for adding visual hierarchy to your designs, meaning you can encourage the user to focus on important areas of the UI. 
• It can make the layout look more attractive.
• It’s versatile—this technique could be used across pretty much any industry!
• It can make sites or apps easier to navigate. 
• It’s a modern evolution of previous trends. 

Tips for Introducing Glassmorphism to Web Design

• Contrast: Make sure you apply enough contrast with the cards and the interface so it’s accessible and easy to use or read. To make sure the design is accessible, the objects on screen should be able to function without the background. 
• Transparency: Set the correct transparency, i.e. you don’t want to have a completely transparent object (it defeats the point!) but you also want to be able to see a hint of what’s happening beneath the glassmorphic object.
• Background: Pick the right background—the best glassmorphic effect can come when the backgrounds are not too simple or too cluttered. Picking a muted but colorful background can be a good option here. 
• Time: If you’re building from scratch, make sure you give yourself enough time to experiment. Because of the gradients and transparency, there’s a fine line between glassmorphism helping and hindering the user experience. Make sure you’re on the right side! 

Glassmorphism Web Design Templates

Think the glassmorphic design trend is right for your next project? Check out some of my favorite templates below. 

1. Glare – Soft Vue JS, Bootstrap Admin Dashboard

This glassmorphism CSS template shows how useful the style can be at organizing information. The subtle gradient in the background shows how this technique can be used to display information without overwhelming the user. 

Scroll through all the page templates including the register page, login, and error pages, to see how the style can work across different contexts.

2. Avontur – Modern Tour & Travel Elementor Template Kit

Here’s another useful example to have up your sleeve if you’re planning a glassmorphic web design project!

Glassmorphism is used in the header of this web template, meaning you can pull out key information without having to block out vast sections of the beautiful imagery used behind it. The approach is also used further down the page to help draw attention to testimonials and a services content block complete with a call to action.

3. Umi – Web Design Agency Elementor Template Kit

Here’s another classic example of glassmorphism doing its thing! With three clearly organized content blocks, the technique again proves how useful it can be for presenting information. It gives a clean and professional look too.

4. Ametrine – Modern Creative Theme

This modern website template takes glassmorphism to the next level. Rather than being used solely within design elements, glassmorphism fills the entire UI. By adding movement, the site gives the effect that objects are appearing and disappearing behind the glass.

The combination of the translucent background against the bright but muted colors is also a familiar design trait within glassmorphism.

Zem – Glass Admin Dashboard HTML Template

See how different glassmorphic sites can look depending on the context. This template opts for a green, plain background but the slight gradient effect looks like a light is shining in the center of the page to draw attention to key info. This responsive admin panel template comes with 100+ HTML pages too.

Over to You! 

Think glassmorphism could be a useful technique for your next web design project? Pick one of my favorite templates or head over ThemeForest to choose your own.

Useful Glassmorphism Links

• Glassmorphism CSS Generator
• Backdrop Filter effect with CSS

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