I've been following web design since about 2000. As in other fields of design, you can note obvious shifts in trends from time to time. Besides being generally sleeker, simpler and more understated now than in its early days, I've noticed everything is sort of getting bigger on the web. Bigger and simpler. Take headings and buttons for example on these nice site designs:
dropbox.com
tumblr.com
kellianderson.com
richbrown.info
It seems web designers are more more confident now in making bold choices than, say, a decade ago. Most good designers seem to be aware now that simplifying the layout and letting each design element "breathe", makes for not only a more aesthetically nicer viewing experience but also makes it easier for the site's users to navigate. You help the user do whatever it is they're on the site to do by editing down your design elements to the bare essentials.
I remember the year 2000 when small fonts and trying to fit as much info into the layout as possible was all the rage in web design. Take for example the nauseatingly cluttered Yahoo frontpage in 2000:
Compared to today's Yahoo frontpage (which is albeit not a masterpiece):
Even though they've added ad banners to the page, it's easier for the eye because they've gotten rid of about 300 links, making it easier for the user to make a selection without being overwhelmed.
Here's another site design that looks really aged due to its emphasis on small - small headings, small logo, small tabs, tiiiny left navigation text and really cramped. This site design has probably not been updated since 2002.
I think the current evolution in web design from the small, cramped layouts to more minimalist, bolder ones is absolutely a positive one. Even though in 10 years it's probably going to look really old fashioned and passé to me. I wonder what the next design trend will be?
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