Examples & Best Practices of Brutalism in Web Design

Table Of Content

• Follow DC Hillier on Social Media
• Strive to produce designs of integrity
• Perfecting Your Digital UX Design — The Tips You Need to Know
• Discover the Perfect Designer Charms Wholesale for Your Jewelry Collection
• What is Brutalist Graphic Design?
• Key Figures
• The Art of Imperfection: Embracing Flaws in Brutalism Graphic Design

Legibility is a fundamental principle in typography, ensuring that text is easily readable and understood. However, brutalism graphic design often challenges the notion of legibility by embracing unconventional typography. Designers experiment with distorted letterforms, fragmented text, and overlapping elements to create visually striking compositions. Another influential figure in the brutalism graphic design movement is Lance Wyman.

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There are plenty of examples of contemporary and modern brutalist architecture, furniture, and websites that are intricately designed without being wasteful or extravagant. There are many directions in which web designers can go with brutalism. This design trend is one that emerged in 1960s Italian architecture as well as in web design in the 1990s — it was characterized by garish, exaggerated, and disorienting interfaces. While brutalist websites might not have the megalithic and severe presences that brutalist buildings do, they are constructed in a similar fashion using the raw materials of the web.

Strive to produce designs of integrity

What you see above is a screenshot of the Balenciaga homepage in 2017. The site’s design resembled a wireframe more than a full-fledged website. It wasn’t until shoppers made their way through the categories that they’d encounter product imagery and a UI they’d be more familiar with. Years ago, it took its website to an extreme in terms of style, too. While prospective clients will find portfolio graphics tucked under the collapsible project list at the bottom, there isn’t a lot to look at. While there might not be anything pretty about a stripped-down interface, that might not matter much to users who want a fast and easy way to engage with the site and convert.

'Symone' blends elegant logotype with bold, brutalist graphics - NewscastStudio

'Symone' blends elegant logotype with bold, brutalist graphics.

Posted: Mon, 09 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Perfecting Your Digital UX Design — The Tips You Need to Know

Experiment with distorted letterforms, oversized text, and fragmented typography to challenge traditional legibility. At the heart of brutalism graphic design are a set of core principles that define this unique style. These principles guide designers in creating visually compelling and thought-provoking designs that challenge the norms of the industry.

Users might find it unrefined, but it creates a raw aesthetics experience that sticks, and that’s the point. It’s like a breath of fresh air, cutting through the noise of over-designed websites. From the influence of Modernist architecture to the rebellion of anti-design—welcome to a space where grid-based design meets geometric shapes, and text-heavy layouts command the spotlight. Brutalism graphic design is all about challenging norms and pushing boundaries. Be fearless in your design approach and don’t be afraid to experiment.

You should always keep the user journey in mind (even if you're trying to break away from traditional or trendy website design). These principles pull through from their digital design to the architectural design of their stores. Of particular importance in bridging the gap between Brutalist architecture and Brutalism in graphic design is the Art Brut ("Raw Art") movement of the 1940s.

Key Figures

By experimenting with typography, color, and composition, designers can create brutalist designs that challenge traditional aesthetics while remaining visually compelling. Brutalism-inspired fashion designs often challenge societal norms and push boundaries, making bold statements and evoking emotions. The use of asymmetry, vibrant colors, and unexpected combinations creates visually striking garments that defy traditional expectations.

Examples of Brutalist websites

Explore ADORNO’s vibrant Mexican design—blending contemporary aesthetics with cultural heritage. Today’s consumers have grown comfortable with attractive interfaces. Brutalism taken to the extreme might create too jarring of an experience for them. So, striking a good balance between brutalism and modern minimalism will be a safe way to play around with this technique.

The Art of Imperfection: Embracing Flaws in Brutalism Graphic Design

The brutalist designs of Berlin-based studio Vaust - Wallpaper*

The brutalist designs of Berlin-based studio Vaust.

Posted: Mon, 21 Mar 2022 08:07:08 GMT [source]

These bold and geometric posters, designed by Otl Aicher, used unconventional layouts and vibrant colors to represent the different Olympic disciplines. They challenged traditional design norms and remain some of the most recognizable Olympic visuals ever created. Jeremy Baxter is a visual artist, filmmaker, photographer and musician from Colorado. His portfolio website features a brutalist design with a black-and-white color scheme, bold typography and a focus on simplicity. Imagery plays a dominant role in this design, and the font style gracefully complements the punk rock atmosphere that Jeremy created.

It is a rejection of the notion that design must always be sleek, polished, and visually pleasing. Instead, brutalism graphic design challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and engage with designs that evoke emotional responses. He pairs bright, saturated website background colors with bold typography and simple geometric shapes, creating a solid foundation for his design. Navigation options are located at the top of the page so that users can quickly move to any desired page. This is a great way to touch on the web brutalist trend while ensuring that visitors don’t get lost on the page. In conclusion, brutalism graphic design represents a bold departure from the conventional norms of graphic design.

In traditional design, hierarchy plays a crucial role in guiding the viewer’s attention and organizing information. However, brutalism graphic design often disregards traditional hierarchies and embraces visual chaos. This deliberate departure from the norm creates a sense of unpredictability and challenges the viewer to actively engage with the design. Roughness and texture are essential elements in brutalism graphic design. These imperfections add depth, character, and emotion to the design. By intentionally incorporating rough textures, designers create a tactile quality that evokes a sense of authenticity and rawness.

Digital interfaces are becoming simpler and more streamlined because that’s what users need and want. That’s what we as a field have learned over decades of user research. There is plenty of room to be creative while helping people understand your content and complete their tasks. We don’t need to make things harder for our users just to stand out, or to keep them interested. Now we’re hearing some designers advocate for the inclusion of brutalist and antidesign principles in products.

But graphic design is more than about making things look pretty (though that’s nice too) — it can influence what we pay attention to and how we absorb information. Artists in California have long been aware of the persuasive powers of design, using bright colors, playful typefaces, and bold shapes to push forward their ideas. Neo Brutalism or Neubrutalism is a modern look of the Brutalist Architecture style from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. This architecture emphasizes the construction using Raw concrete with a limited palette of materials with large geometric forms with simple and clean lines as well as Rough and raw surfaces. Aurelio De Anda is a graphic designer who works on merchandising, brand identity, print media and web design.

One of the most notable examples of Brutalist architecture at UCSD is the Gilman Drive Parking Structure, located on the university’s main campus in La Jolla. Designed by the architectural firm Moore, Ruble, and Yudell, the Gilman Drive Parking Structure was completed in 1970 and is a prime example of the Brutalist style. The building features large, sweeping concrete forms, an emphasis on raw materials and construction techniques, and innovative use of space, all of which are hallmarks of Brutalism. Like minimalist design, brutalist digital design descends from an earlier movement. Web brutalism is inspired by the brutalist architecture of the 1950s.

The intentional restriction of color also serves to highlight the rawness and honesty of the design. By eliminating unnecessary embellishments, brutalism graphic design celebrates the essence of the message and the power of simplicity. This minimalistic approach to color creates a visual harmony that draws the viewer’s attention and enhances the overall impact of the design.