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this trend is coming back in the design world as brutalism (in the same vein as brutalist architecture). this site has a lot of examples: http://brutalistwebsi

this trend is coming back in the design world as brutalism (in the same vein as brutalist architecture). this site has a lot of examples: http://brutalistwebsites.com http://brutalistwebsites.com (HN is actually one of the examples listed)

anyfoo 8y ago
I don't think that's the same. The website linked by this post has barely, if any, design (in form of CSS or otherwise) at all. It's not "brutalist", it's whatever the default browser layout and settings are. That's how the web and HTML used to work: Focus almost entirely on content, semantic markup, the browser mostly decides how to present that information to you--along with your personal preferences. So "brutalist" design does not apply, because there is no (visual) design involved.
- devmunchies 8y ago
  > It's not "brutalist", it's whatever the default browser layout and settings are. Exactly. Just like brutalist architecture, an interior might expose a steel frame and the pipes, brutalist websites expose the HTML and base structure. Not all brutalist sites are completely stripped down this much but they have elements and expand on it.
  - speedplane 8y ago
    There are definitely similarities between brutalist architecture and brutalist web design, but it's more of a comparison rather than an over-arching design principal. Brutalist architecture was largely driven by enabling concrete technology. Concrete was previously used as a purely structural element, but as it advanced, architects realized it could be used as an aesthetic. IMHO, I believe that when these architects built these buildings, they were aiming for something more human, like shaped clay, but their efforts simply failed, and they created something entirely different. In fact, there was never any coherent brutalist architecture "movement", most brutalist buildings were deemed so long after they were built, largely because they appeared foreboding, intense, and used large quantities of concrete. (yes, there are plenty of "brutalist" buildings that don't heavily rely on concrete, but there's no question that many of the most famous buildings do so). So I don't think brutalist architectural design necessarily means exposing the "base structure". I would not consider the pompidou center as brutalist. Brutalist web design is also foreboding and intense, but that is really the end of their similarities. Many brutalist web designs intentionally create a disjointed feeling, overlapping text, mismatched fonts, large variations in color and font-size, are intentionally used to create a particular feeling of haphazardness and authenticity. I don't think brutalist architectural design carried that same intent.

anyfoo 8y ago

I don't think that's the same. The website linked by this post has barely, if any, design (in form of CSS or otherwise) at all. It's not "brutalist", it's whatever the default browser layout and settings are. That's how the web and HTML used to work: Focus almost entirely on content, semantic markup, the browser mostly decides how to present that information to you--along with your personal preferences. So "brutalist" design does not apply, because there is no (visual) design involved.

devmunchies 8y ago
> It's not "brutalist", it's whatever the default browser layout and settings are. Exactly. Just like brutalist architecture, an interior might expose a steel frame and the pipes, brutalist websites expose the HTML and base structure. Not all brutalist sites are completely stripped down this much but they have elements and expand on it.
- speedplane 8y ago
  There are definitely similarities between brutalist architecture and brutalist web design, but it's more of a comparison rather than an over-arching design principal. Brutalist architecture was largely driven by enabling concrete technology. Concrete was previously used as a purely structural element, but as it advanced, architects realized it could be used as an aesthetic. IMHO, I believe that when these architects built these buildings, they were aiming for something more human, like shaped clay, but their efforts simply failed, and they created something entirely different. In fact, there was never any coherent brutalist architecture "movement", most brutalist buildings were deemed so long after they were built, largely because they appeared foreboding, intense, and used large quantities of concrete. (yes, there are plenty of "brutalist" buildings that don't heavily rely on concrete, but there's no question that many of the most famous buildings do so). So I don't think brutalist architectural design necessarily means exposing the "base structure". I would not consider the pompidou center as brutalist. Brutalist web design is also foreboding and intense, but that is really the end of their similarities. Many brutalist web designs intentionally create a disjointed feeling, overlapping text, mismatched fonts, large variations in color and font-size, are intentionally used to create a particular feeling of haphazardness and authenticity. I don't think brutalist architectural design carried that same intent.