From insider tip to mainstream: How nostalgia and brutalism fought for their place in modern web design

At the beginning of the year, editor Caroline Immer most important web design trends for 2023 on OnlineMarketing.de , highlighting above all the return of nostalgic elements, a visual representation of club culture, and a departure from maximalism ( OnlineMarketing.de ).

These days, we're fortunate to have a wide range of web design options to choose from. A few years ago, things were very different. But how did nostalgia and brutalism find their way into modern web design?

In this article, we'll examine the rise of these two trends and how they manifest in modern web design . Like Caroline Immer, we'll focus on the question: Which colors , patterns, elements, and themes will shape web design for 2023 and beyond? We'll consult the findings of website-building platforms Squarespace and Dribbble on this topic.

Nostalgia and brutalism in web design

More and more companies and designers are embracing nostalgia and brutalism in web design. But how did these two trends manage to gain their place in modern web design? The answer may lie in the search for a new form of individuality and authenticity on the internet.

While for a long time the goal was to create the most perfect and smooth surface possible in order to offer users a pleasant experience, today it is about showing personality and consciously allowing rough edges and corners .

The retro look of nostalgic designs evokes a time before the digital revolution, when websites still appeared handcrafted. Brutalism, on the other hand, represents a radical departure from established design conventions and provokes with its raw aesthetic . Both trends thus introduce a new kind of emotionality – instead of cold functionality, websites are meant to become an experience again.

The definition of nostalgia and brutalism

To understand how nostalgia and brutalism have become established in modern web design, we first need to clarify their definitions.

Nostalgia and retro looks

Nostalgia describes a feeling of longing for bygone times or experiences. In web design, this often manifests itself through the use of retro elements such as old fonts or color schemes.

Retro is a term that describes a culturally outdated or old-fashioned style, trend, or fashion from the past that has come back into vogue. Styles from the 1920s and 30s are typically considered retro. The use of retro-style iconography has been a common trend in web design for some time, and this trend is likely to continue.

A retro design can give a website a dynamic, functional, cozy, fun, and even modern feel. All types of websites are embracing this trend, from online shops and business sites to personal websites like portfolios and blogs. In all these cases, designers use their creativity to make the design stand out from the rest.

Especially for certain target groups, such as music or art lovers, nostalgic elements can be an important factor in building an emotional connection.

You can find award-winning web designs with a distinctive retro look, curated by the creator community, at awwwards: Retro Websites .

Neo-Brutalism

Brutalism, on the other hand, is a design style that emphasizes minimalism and a raw aesthetic. It focuses on prioritizing functionality and eliminating unnecessary embellishments. However, brutalism also offers a way to capture the user's attention with an unconventional design.

Both styles have found their place in modern web design, as they each offer a unique approach to website design. However, despite their success, designers should ensure that these styles are not overused and always remain in line with the client's needs.

How nostalgia and brutalism are finding their way into modern web design

In modern web design, nostalgia and brutalism are playing an increasingly important role. While nostalgia evokes a feeling of familiarity and comfort, brutalism represents the opposite: raw, unpolished, and often provocative. However, these two design styles have gained popularity in recent years and are now indispensable in the web design landscape.

It's not just about aesthetics, but also functionality and user-friendliness. Both nostalgia and brutalism offer unique ways to present content and evoke emotions in the user. Although these two styles may seem very different at first glance, they can be perfectly combined to create a unique web design experience.

It is precisely these contrasts that create an exciting and individual web design. The integration of nostalgic elements such as retro fonts or vintage photos establishes a connection to the past, while brutalism stands for a clean and minimalist design. This blend of past and present design is now widespread and has earned its place in the mainstream of web design.

More web design trends for 2023

Besides brutalism and retro looks, three other important trends should be mentioned in the article from OnlineMarketing.de:

The Y2K trend

Y2K trend in the fashion world for some time now , and it can also be observed in web design. Here, metallic and pastel colors , a lo-fi design , and vintage images reminiscent of the beginning of the 21st century are evident.

The intention behind this is that designs can deliberately appear outdated, as long as the website itself is not stuck in the past.

Designers have the opportunity to work with gradients, bold lettering and colorful GIFs to revive the aesthetics of the early 2000s.

Rave aesthetics

Another striking trend has emerged in the world of web design, originating in the rave and club scene. The combination of dark backgrounds, bright neon lights , and a dynamic pulse serves as inspiration for this trend.

Furthermore, nostalgic elements reminiscent of the 90s are incorporated. The use of modern and forward-looking designs combined with retro aesthetics aims to draw attention rave trend in web design

Glitch elements, experimental fonts and distorted, psychedelic images perfectly complement the look.

Metaverse

How can digital space be visually represented through web design ? One possibility for designers is to work with layered elements, chrome textures, and mixed-media objects to create a captivating web experience.

The current metaverse trend is also characterized by interactive graphics, as well as 3D shapes and lettering that resemble flowing metal.

Videos on the most important web design trends of 2023

Immersive 3D worlds, overstimulation, scrapbook aesthetics, micro-animations, neo-brutalism, smart videos and typographic layouts

Trends in typography and CSS, dark mode, transparency in videos

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

www.kunstplaza.de