Web 2.0 is making site design boring

I used to love the clean feel of a minimalist site. Aah, the uncluttered interface; free of all distraction. Alas for the whole web is going this way and it doesn’t feel the same any more.

Minimalist used to be a statement of dedication to the user and a love for usability. Now it signals the beginning of the ‘Me too!’ era. With every site from Flickr to Google using it the trend has become cringingly obvious. We don’t expect a feast for our eyes when we click a link; we expect clean, uncluttered interfaces with the focus on the content. I like the idea of good naviagtion and ease of use but I don’t like the way people are defining it.

After a year of seeing the minimalist internet in action I want the messy web back. Please, web designers I implore you; give my eyes a treat for a change. I’m getting bored of blank spaces and simple links.

Love them

• A List Apart – read this article and free your mind.
• Net Mag – you too can make a site with impact!
• CSS Zen Garden – a real demonstration of what web designers should aspire to.

Loathe them

• asimplewebsite – oh God help us!
• Bill Austin – good points but who views the web on their phone? People with big bank balances that’s who.