What do you think of "Web 2.0 Design"?
Hi there,
I'm a design student, conducting a study into "web 2.0" and how it impacts design on the web.
I use quotation marks as whenever I mention "web 2.0" as I have noted people are greatly divided on the subject. I wish to mention that this is a survey, and does not necessarily represent my own views. Some people are adamant that it has nothing to do with design, and that "web 2.0" sums up the advent of new technologies or, even more simply, that "web 2.0" literally means the dawn of a more user-centric age. Others I have heard deny that it ever took place! I sense there is a divide between designers and developers on this issue, with some designers keen to herald this as some kind of design revolution.
Whatever you think, there has been an increase of websites designed in this "web 2.0" fashion. Whether this design is intrinsically linked to "web 2.0", or simply used as a facade to represent a modern, functional website remains to be discussed. These websites seem to stand in stark contrast to the flashy gimmicky websites of the dot com boom - perhaps why people are so keen to label them as "2.0" sites under their own umbrella?
Anyhow, I was wondering if I could collect your thoughts on what you think of the "web 2.0 design" style. Do you think it has totally revolutionised the way we use the web, or just a silly designer fad? Was it necessary to improve the quality of our web experience? Does it represent good quality design, or is it totally overused? What will come next?
As I explained before, when I talk about web 2.0 'design', I'm mean web design that has appeared along with the advent of web 2.0 technologies - a move towards more 'user friendly' and 'user controlled' web experience, such as Facebook, Flickr and You Tube. You'll know what I mean - just think of gradients, stickers, beta tags, shiny plastic buttons, cute icons, simple navigation, bigger text, reflections, more white space and a triumph of content over pixel space. It is a style that is very popular at the minute, and some argue that it's on its way out.
Do you think the "web 2.0" design style limits the designer as to what they are able to produce?
Please let me know your thoughts, all contributions are valid!
Thank you in advance.