Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









Minimalism, the Economy and Web Design

Written by: Max Kalles

Article Overview: Minimalism is once again trending through design circles. Many suspect that the economic downturn is the reason, but, could it be web design?

Free Download - What Aaron Wagschal Taught Me About Saying Thank You By Max Kalles
Name: Email:

Minimalism, the Economy and Web Design

The interconnectedness of things is fascinating. The effect that the economy exerts on fashion and design is an example. As we approach the recession’s second birthday, minimalism appears to be making a comeback on haute couture runways and product packaging.

This fall’s fashions include lots of neat, uncluttered lines of black and grey. Coca Cola and Pepsi have carried the cola wars onto their packaging. With the recent launch of new packaging from both camps, it appears they are trying to outdo each other with sparse designs that are free of drop shadows, keylines and other graphic accoutrements.

However, if you spoke to a web designer, he or she might want to get at least a share of the credit for current deign trends. You see, web designers had minimalism thrust upon them long before the recession.

The “canvases” that clothing and package designers use haven’t changed much over the years. The human body has remained the same for about 10,000 years, and didn’t change much when it did. The iconic Coke bottle has the same basic shape that it had over 100 years ago.

At the other end of the spectrum is the “canvas” of the web designer, the PC monitor. Web design has been a real profession for about 15 years. In that time, PC monitors have quadrupled in size. In the early 1990s, many internet users were still using VGA monitors, which restricted web designers to a frame of 640 pixels by 480 pixels. Today, monitor resolutions of 1280 x 1024 are common.

What does a designer do when contents remain the same, but the frame is larger, Moving elements apart, to fill up the new space, is an early inclination. When web designers did this, they discovered the power of “whitespace” – a gap between elements in web design that, if used correctly, help the page contents be better and more easily consumed by the viewer.

Whitespace has become an integral part of today’s most successful web designs, which, when compared to earlier designs, look nothing short of minimalist.

If you want an example of very successful “minimalist” web design, which predates the current recession (and even the tech bubble), try Google’s homepage.

Related Articles
  Marketing When You're Down
  Marketing in a Recession
  Top 6 Mistakes in Web Development
  Things to do before you hire a web design company
  All you need to do before hiring a web design company

Home > Marketing > Max Kalles > Minimalism the Economy and Web Design
Article Tags: economic downturn, minimalism, web design

About the Author: Max Kalles
RSS for Max's articles - Visit Max's website

Max Kalles is a partner and conversion marketing specialist with Orange Digital Marketing.  Small business marketing has become increasingly competitive.  It is no longer just a matter of having a website and getting ranked in the search engines.  In any given industry many companies rank at the top.  The companies that generate leads and sales online are the ones that find a way to be unique by communicating a clear and strong marketing message to their potential customers.  Max helps businesses develop their marketing strategy online using a proven 6 step approach to online success.  With a repeatable process that is customized for each industry he is able to generate results for your business.  Orange Marketing provides services in web design, development, search engine marketing, social media strategies, consulting, hosting, maintenance, and support.  

Click here to visit Max's website
Dashed Line

More from Max Kalles
A simple call to action
To Blog or Not to Blog
The Grand Design
Theyre Talking About You
High Fashion and Web Design


Related Forum Posts
Re: Top Banner Help Re: Top Banner Help - [quote:35xjo6uq]Good job on the banners BennyBoy![/quote:35xjo6uq] No probs:) I agree Online Marketing and Publicity Search Engine Optimization - Web Design and Programming Blogging also may be... Web Design Tutorials Looking to Hire - jobs section Interesting Articles / websites
Re: what position to request? Re: what position to request? - Hi Michael, Great suggestion from David, or you could try something around a design consultancy, How about Website Design Consultant, Design and Development Manager, Website Support and Development Manager or maybe Internet Business Development Consultant. Ultimately whatever you are comfortable with and good luck for the future, Mal.
Elevator Pitch in 10 Words Elevator Pitch in 10 Words - "Winning Business Design For Aspiring Entrepreneurs Based On Their Idea"
Fashion Designers Needed Fashion Designers Needed - My name is Blake and I am also starting a clothing line (to some extent)and I think that maybe I could help us both. I am a Graphic Design major from the University of Central Oklahoma and I would like to provide you with some ideas and designs...and all I ask in return is some feedback (positive or negative). If this sounds beneficial please contact me and describe what it is specifically would help you.
Re: Top Banner Help Re: Top Banner Help - The more popular ones that I've seen: Online Marketing and Publicity Search Engine Optimization Web Design and Programming Blogging Re: the poll, I think there was enough response to warrant the new category. These are very popular search terms. I agree that too many niche categories is not a good idea, maybe keep it to a minimum 2-3 internet related topics. Good job on the banners BennyBoy!


Recommended Article for You close

  Marketing When You're Down

Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Local Marketing: 3 Simple Low-Cost Strategies

Tips to Take Control of Credit Card Debt

Why Use an Advertising Agency

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.