Get out of the generic ways and ‘best practices’ for creating new things. Creatives are urged to embrace the unknown as it invites them to break away from conventional thinking and explore new, untested ideas. By doing so, they can discover fresh and inventive approaches to design challenges. This takeaway resonates particularly well with the world of immersive web experiences. It encourages creatives to push the boundaries of what's possible, delivering more unique and engaging content and storytelling methods that lead to unforgettable interactions. .

Storytelling emerged as a powerful tool to connect with the audience. The first step in strategic storytelling is understanding your audience. What are their preferences, desires, and pain points? What kind of story will resonate with them? By knowing your audience, you can tailor your narrative to engage and connect with them effectively. The emphasis was on creating emotionally resonant narratives to connect with users on a deeper level. For companies specializing in immersive websites, weaving compelling stories into virtual tours can enhance user engagement and make the experience more memorable.

Creating enduring and immersive experiences that transcend time and trends is a fundamental goal in design. Keep a vigilant watch on the world around you. Trends often emerge from various industries, such as art, fashion, technology, or even nature. By staying attuned to these influences, you can spot emerging trends that possess the potential for longevity. We need to create interactive journeys that don't just cater to today's audience but also stand the test of time, continuing to captivate and engage visitors for years to come. By adopting this principle, creatives can ensure that their creations leave a lasting and positive impression, much like the timeless wonders that inspire them.

In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, the trend toward automation and the rise of no-code solutions are gaining significant traction. As we step into the era of no-code development, it's essential to understand that no-code technology is not set to replace traditional development methods entirely.

Despite speculations that no-code could potentially render developers obsolete, the reality is quite different. In the foreseeable future, developers will continue to play a crucial role. However, their focus will shift from routine, repetitive tasks that can be automated to more creative and intellectually stimulating projects. This shift promises to make their work more engaging and rewarding.

Companies must adapt to these changes to remain relevant in the dynamic world of web development. Those who embrace the shift can expect quicker and more cost-effective creation of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and Proof-Of-Concepts, enhancing the agility and efficiency of their projects.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a pivotal focus during the conference, underscoring its transformative capabilities in the realm of design and creativity. The central idea conveyed was that AI is not merely a tool but a catalyst for unlocking an array of limitless creative possibilities. Creatives shouldn’t be scared that AI can replace their job, but they should embrace this technology to streamline their creative process. This way, creatives can use AI for repetitive, more boring parts of their jobs and use their own creativeness to build unique content. It can be used to develop user personas, analyse the competitor landscape, create pitches with prototypes, generate inspirational mood boards, … AI will be a game-changer, offering tools to enhance user experiences and create more interactive, personalized content.

These key takeaways from the Digital Thinkers Conference by Awwwards serve as a roadmap for the future of design, with a particular focus on the immersive web. By embracing the unknown, incorporating storytelling, designing for the future, embracing no-code solutions, and harnessing AI, companies in the immersive website sector can remain at the forefront of innovation, providing unique and captivating experiences to their users.

We would like to thank all the speakers for their insightful talks and presentations sparking creativity, innovation, and inspiration. These are some of the speakers from whom we received great advice:

Pelle Martin, Founder of Spring/Summer
Alicia Shao, Senior Service Designer at Lego
Niccolò Miranda, independant Creative Director
Edan Kwan, Founder of Lusion
Mathieu Ducharme & Jeremy Minié, from Locomotive
Frederik Öst & Erik Kockum, Founders of Snask
Jon Way, independant Creative Director
Thomas Aufresne, independant Creative Developer
Ilja Van Eck & Erwin Luijendijk, from Cut The Code
Jonas Lempa, from Taikonauten
Peter Smart, from Fantasy