How to Use Isometric Design: A Web Designer’s Guide to the Isometric Design Trend

As websites strive for visually engaging and immersive experiences, the isometric design trend has emerged as a powerful tool for crafting eye-catching, three-dimensional illusions on the flat surface of the digital realm. Isometric web design comprises eye-catching 3D images and geometric elements, creating captivating results to help your brand stand out from competitors.

Isometric design is an intermediate design technique offering web designers flexibility: you can use it for a single element on a page, as an accent or feature, or as a theme throughout your website. The isometric design trend is excellent for creating modern, engaging websites that grab attention and complement your clients’ brands.

Isometric drawings create a three-dimensional illusion for users. The angles of lines can add depth to a picture, and isometric 3D images draw on these concepts to add dimension.

Most artists agree that isometric drawings are best when the design is at a 30-degree angle from the vertical axis. You’ll avoid vanishing lines and make the image stand out in sharp contrast, creating an almost 3D-glasses effect for viewers. 

Adding depth grabs people’s attention because they aren’t just passing by flat images that are easy to scroll. You can even tap into the growing popularity of AI in design work to create unique visuals and ensure they’re placed on the proper angles to pop.

Let’s explore the isometric design trend in greater detail and review the crucial elements when incorporating isometric 3D design into your web designs.

After grabbing people’s attention, get them to take action. Making your isometric designs interactive can make them more effective. Engage your visitors by keeping them moving and trying new things.

You can add text and encourage the customer to click on the drawing for a new trigger. Alternatively, you can show lines radiating in or out. You could also animate the graphic to make it stand out even more.

There are many benefits to engaging users and keeping them on your page. Little subtle, low-cost, and easy-to-decline nudges can shift buying behavior. Use cues to encourage people to take action. Interactive design helps increase conversion rates, too.

How do you know which elements to make interactive and which to leave static? An isometric web design should be more relaxed, without too many interactive elements competing for attention. You want users to remain calm and confident when determining their next steps. So, focus on one goal and element at a time as you work with isometric 3D images for your page.

Isometric web design features sharp angles and straight lines, giving images a modern, geometric look that users instantly recognize. Rather than a flat 2D design that they’re used to seeing, 3D isometrics lend themselves to a more enticing layout. 

What if your design has a vintage vibe but wants to add some isometric design elements? Fortunately, you can make some adaptations to attain a three-dimensional look without making it too modern for the brand’s personality.

One thing you can do is stick with softer lines and curves, making them 3D. Take a logo and make it pop off the page. Highlight a classic item and give it a modern edge. You’ll have to use your artist’s eye to determine the best places to locate elements for maximum effect. Brush up on graphic design basics like color and typography, even if you have a degree. It’s easy to miss little details that make a big difference. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the balance just right. 

The clean lines and sharp angles of isometric web design work perfectly on a grid layout. People expect to see certain things on websites and may instinctively know what the design should look like. Ensure the two mesh and create a visually pleasing final product.

Heavier interactive graphics might not translate well on mobile devices. Many isometric 3D images tend to be bulkier; you might see them at the top of a page or in a hero image shot. They may need to scale down more easily for smaller screens. 

How can you stick to the isometric web design concept and ensure mobile users feel the same effect? You don’t want to sacrifice ideal page load speeds to keep a massive graphic in place. 

Isometric web design lends itself to a grid layout. Setting it to a 100% screen width helps mobile users by resizing everything to fit the screen. Double-check that it looks right to the human eye, as machines can only do so much. Test the look on different screen sizes and devices before publishing.

Isometric designs help you stand out from the competition. They are fresh and engaging and offer something unique. You should use relevant images for your 3D isometric looks. 

Put yourself in your audience’s shoes. They might visit a competitor’s site before looking at yours and then hop over to another page. Anything you can do to stand out will make your brand more memorable. A few images can determine whether they choose you or another company for their needs.

What should you do if the competition already uses isometric designs? Look for ways to make yours more complex or try unique color schemes, such as dark mode with pops of color. You could also add more audience engagement. Take the value others in your industry have and ramp it up so that it’s more valuable and exciting. 

Where on your webpage design should you place isometric 3D images? The answer is more complex than just putting something in the upper right corner. You must step back and consider where to draw the user’s attention – that’s where to add an isometric design image. 

You may have just one isometric element on the page, or you might have multiple ones. It’s best to leave the page uncluttered, as too many interactive elements can be distracting. Step back from the computer and look at the website design. Move things around, add another element, or remove a 3D image. Use your designer’s eye and experience to determine the best use of visuals for maximum impact. 

There are times when you should use something other than isometric design. Avoid adding it too close to a call to action, as you might distract from the page’s purpose. Shy away from using heavy graphics for viewers with slow internet connections. Don’t use isometric 3D images just to plug something in somewhere. The isometric design should have a purpose.

Conduct A/B split tests to see how users respond to your isometric web design. Lay out two different versions of the page and see if one converts better than the other. Move the 3D elements around and track the changing trends. Use various colors, sizing, and interactivity. Then, test to determine the best approach for your site.

One of the best ways to learn a design technique is to study how others use it. Here are some notable examples of isometric web design in action.

Hypernode offers various hosting and web development tools. It showcases its cloud hosting service layers with an isometric illustration. Layering an image with 3D tiles is an excellent way of showing options. The little 3D clouds add a fun touch. 

Chronicled offers blockchain solutions. It shows how it impacts the world by adding a small isometric design with garages, hospitals, factories, and pharmacies. The company specializes in life sciences, so it makes sense to choose these images. The picture pops and sets the tone for the rest of the design. It also ties into the color scheme nicely. 

Muse offers products similar to whiteboards. It uses an isometric illustration to showcase how the ideas build upon one another with its nested boards. 

One unique thing about this design is the ample white space around the illustration. The 3D image with a clear accent color is set to the side, so it naturally draws our attention. We can then glance at it, understand how Muse works, and move on to additional information. The design creates a nice flow. 

OfficeSpace illustrates how you can take isometric design to the next level and create an entire online world on your website. The company offers virtual office space for companies. The idea comes to life by adding color and in-depth 3D illustrations. Cafes, meeting rooms, office work areas, and more are shown in a metaverse-type rendering.

Isometric web design is a contemporary-looking style that stands out. Adding an illustration here and there can ramp up a page’s value and pull users in, so they don’t bounce to a competitor’s site – so give the 3D isometric design trend a try!

While you’re here, check out our top web design trends of 2024, and be sure to visit Envato Elements to explore plenty of 3D isometric graphics to use in your designs.