Since the mid-2000s, the driving trend behind web design has been minimalism. Minimalist web design is based on the idea that less is more when it comes to creating an attractive and easy-to-navigate website.
However, thanks to new advances in software and code creation, a new movement toward maximalism is beginning to take hold. So what is maximalist web design?
If minimalism is basic shapes, a monochrome palette and using only what is necessary, maximalism is the complete opposite. A grander and more committed approach that is associated with excess, extravagance and a diversity of aesthetics that aim to break the rules and create a more vibrant result. In web design terms, this means making the most of the new software and code that is available to designers, so that they can break the mold of the current minimalist effort.
Incorporating maximalist principles when designing a logo or website can help your brand stand out from the crowd due to the bolder nature of color choices and layouts. Facebook or Instagram are good examples of how your brand can stand out, as as you scroll down your feed, your logo and layout styles are likely to jump off the page compared to the light or pastel color choices they’ve made. other companies. in recent years.
Of course, maximalism is in danger of being too colorful, too garish, and too over the top. Unlike its minimalist counterpart, which is always a safe option, it’s possible to go too far and create a backlash that didn’t need to happen. This is why the move away from minimalist web design is not fast, at least not yet, due to the potential to drive away visitors.
Attributes of maximalism
There are certain attributes that differentiate maximalist web design from the current trend of minimalism. One attribute is that the world beyond web design, including fashion, is embracing this new trend, which means that web designers are keeping up with current events that make their creations even more profound.
Big Colors: Perhaps the most recognizable attribute of these new trends is the use of big, bold color schemes. The more, the better it seems in terms of how colors can be combined to create new and exciting compositions. For web designers, this bold new use of color has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Bold Textures: By mixing color with palette layers, you create a more vibrant presentation that makes for an eye-catching design. The textures now seen on backgrounds and page sections give designers a way to directly draw attention to certain areas.
Brave Combinations: This new approach not only enhances colors and textures, but also creates new attention-grabbing combinations of visuals, graphics, and technology that create an exaggerated new look.
Another attribute is that going all out means a greater variety of options. Due to new software programs, you can choose to make each website different, attractive and as eye-catching as possible. Considering that change always creates positive ripples, the timing of this new move couldn’t be better.
It should be noted that minimalism and maximalism often change places every ten to fifteen years, which can be seen in fashion trends of different decades. After all, the 1980s were a bold departure from the 1970s in terms of color, texture, and overall appearance. The same can be said for the maximalist web design that is now replacing the minimalist web design that has dominated since the mid-2000s.
