Web 2.0: Solid Colours are the New Gradients?
One of the design based things that comes to mind when someone says “web 2.0″ is definitely gradients. Along with things like rounded corners, reflections, rounded fonts, etc… have all been over used and everyone and their mother knows about what they are and how to create them. But now more and more popular websites that one could stereotype as “web 2.0″ are starting to edge away from gradients, and more into solid colours. Why? Simple. That’s why. Simplicity, which is another web 2.0 thing is created with good use of some solid colours in place of gradients. Now I’m not saying that will make it simple, but it will set you on the right path. Here are some popular sites that are going in this direction, and have been for some time.
Digg
With their UI redesign a couple of weeks ago, Digg went away from the blue gradient header and now moved to a simple, solid blue with a new addition of a solid green underneath. And it looks great, at least to me! As you scroll further down the page, things get more graphical and include more gradients, but that’s probably for a better UI experience.
del.icio.us
del.icio.is has been rocking the very simple and solid colour based design for some time now, and it works quite well. On the home page the only real non-solid colours are the thumbnails for the outlinking sites. The site is still visually appealing because it flows and the colours that they do use are simple and neutral without being boring.
Revver
The popular video sharing site’s design is based off a solid green/grey scheme that holds the content, that gets more gradients as the site goes on. This is an example of good use of solid colours, but then as the gradients come in they seem necassarry to keep your eye and stay visually appealing.
Eyespot
The design on Eyespot is actually very similar to Revver’s in that it starts with a nice grey/green scheme, but this time on a light background. Like Revver, as you go down Eyespot similar gradients appear and are used to keep things interesting.
Dabble
Now last but not least is another video sharing site, Dabble. This site’s design is built almost entirely of solid colours, but instead of keeping them straight and inline, they add some shape to it. Now Dabble isn’t really the most well designed site out there, but as far as using solid colour and having great potential for their next design its a good pick.
So seeing gradients being replaced slowly by well used solid colours is happening more and more often. It’s good to see popular sites trying to bring back something that would’ve appeared lost in the midst of Arial Rounded type on a reflected-graduated-rounded box with a shine and a “beta” starburst. Simplicity ahead!
Also, if theres a great example that I missed post a comment and I’ll either add it in or do part two!
Leave a comment
Ron
February 6th, 2007 at 5:14 PM
I see your point, though I do think gradients are still a very strong interface feature, and shouldn’t be shoved out the door any more than it already is.
Connor Wilson
February 6th, 2007 at 7:22 PM
I have no doubt gradients aren’t going anywhere, but solid colours are an old thing turned new again, and it can be refreshing when done well.
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