As our days in quarantine turn into weeks and months, we adapt to new daily routines and adjust to the changes in how we live and work. Home spaces previously held sacred to provide respite from work, school and hectic days have been transformed into workplaces, classrooms and sanitizing zones. Daily life in this strange new normal is an odd juxtaposition of technology-enabled interactions and the simplest pastimes reminiscent of historical novels.
Initially, solitude and the absence of organized activities was not entirely unwelcome. But now, for most, solitude has morphed into isolation and the respite from the chaos of appointments and commitments has worn thin. We’re itching for activity and a sense of accomplishment.
Purge, clean, declutter – a new mantra
And so we tackle projects. Spring cleaning quarantine-style has taken center stage.
From a practical perspective, decluttering the space previously-known-as-home can alleviate the feeling of walls closing in on us, crowded with family 24/7. Creating a clean and airy environment also provides a sense of control and forward-motion to preserve our mental health. And finally, minimalist, orderly spaces reduce anxiety resulting from overstimulation.
In an interesting coincidence, Facebook is rolling out a new clean, decluttered look to their desktop version that’s been in the works for nearly a year. The timing of the full rollout is intriguing.
Facebook changes follow web design trends
With the increased use of mobile devices, web design trends have been evolving toward cleaner, less cluttered design for several years. Design aesthetics based on grids or cards provide an organized structure and translate easily to mobile responsive designs for other devices. The Next Web notes that web design is becoming more evocative of graphic or print design, with minimalist color schemes, creative use of hero images, bold typography and illustrations.
The increased popularity of online infographics supports these observations.
Organized, simplified and streamlined
The new cleaner Facebook layout utilizes a cards design, with sections defined in card-like containers. Larger fonts, increased whitespace and elimination of the right sidebar all contribute to an improved user experience.
The cover image is larger, with less clutter around it. The call to action is front and center, more noticeable and is “sticky” — remaining visible when a user scrolls down the page. Faster load times are noticeable.
There are other functionality improvements as well. For example, notifications slide up from the lower left corner and are distinguished by separate icons for comments, reactions, messages and new activity in your groups.
Your Story is history
For business pages, one of the more significant changes is the elimination of your Story. As a result, the About section holds greater importance. Capitalize on all of the fields available to optimize your bio.
Take a few minutes to review our video and explore the changes within the new Facebook design. If you’re ready to take on a project, refresh your Facebook Story and download our free Facebook For Business guide to maximize the effectiveness of your Facebook page.
Need guidance? We’re here to help.
