I can’t really put a finger on when it happened, but at some point in the not so distant past, web design broke through a pretty major glass ceiling. Up until this point web design was bound and constricted to what web ( and physical ) technology would allow it to do. Web technologies started with table based layouts, web friendly fonts and tiny display resolutions. It then progressed to CSS, web standards and the integration of application and interaction design. Now, with HTML5, CSS3 and new javascript methodologies, we are able to build creative and inspiring websites that are not the burdened step child of graphic design, but are a new, full-featured, medium to display and interact with.
With that being said, there are many web designers out there that are taking web design to the next level by creating and concepting designs that have a more traditional graphic design feel. These sites use all sorts of unique fonts, have bold and expressive layouts, and in general don’t really look like websites at all, but more so like….posters. With many modern web development approaches enabling web designers to think outside of their rigid “web oriented” design mindset, they are now able to find inspiration and look at design paradigms typically found in print and graphic design.
I have noticed this style emerging for some time now, but it wasn’t until I read this article, that I could actually put a finger on the actual trend itself. I should also say that I am not a designer, I am a developer with adequate design skill; however, with the line between design and development (front-end) becoming grayer and grayer as time goes on, it is important that developers are aware of new design trends, so they can stay active extending the reach of what is possible on the web.
Last 5 posts by Bryant
- Abstracting the web, the iPad, and print media coming full circle. - February 15th, 2010
- Awesome Dev+Design Playground - January 28th, 2010
- 8 things Ushering in the "New School" of Web Development, Part 1 - December 29th, 2009
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Nice article. I think conversely, web designers like myself need to keep up with new development trends like jquery and DOM. Development and design are becoming more and more intertwined.
thanks, jamie. we agree completely.
Anyone who is updating or creating their website should be aware of new design trends. The poster as inspiration for website design is a great idea. Creating a poster for the basis of the website design keeps marketing very recognizable across different formats. Consumers who are familiar with your poster advertisements will instantly recognize your website and vice versa.
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