In simple terms, flat design is a more versatile and sophisticated form of minimalism. Though you can make flat design look great even under minimalist constraints, these designs can also be much more complex with a clarity and crispness that is only possible once the 3D effects have been removed. Generally speaking, flat design is useful for making user interfaces easier to navigate, ensuring websites are faster and more functional – it is also seen as a starting point for the streamlining of designs.
What makes Flat design attractive:
- Reduces Clutter: As we are constantly creating, evaluating and filtering content and since the public has an insatiable appetite for new information, we are in danger of being the victims of information overload. This problem is exacerbated by the decreasing size of the screens we use. Flat design helps to reduce the clutter on the user interface thus making information easier to digest.
- Simplicity: We are seeing an increase in the number of apps and services online that offer basic features in a reversal of the usual trend, which involves lots of choices for high prices. Now customers can enjoy simple interfaces, fewer apps and a lower price.
- Content Focus: When new devices arrive on the market, we initially want to see how they improve interactivity but the focus always returns to the quality of content. As most Internet users consume content via video, text or audio, they want the interface to move aside and flat design allows this.
- Responsive Design: The increase in connected devices of different dimensions means that user interfaces have needed to become more fluid and the responsive design movement has come up trumps. It seems as if using flat design in user interfaces provides the best responsive design results. Another bonus is the reduction in the size of pages and subsequent reduced loading time.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_UI_Design
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