To respond to the criticisms of these sites - audience has a LOT to do with it. Visual and artistic-types gravitate towards very different design values. Depend

To respond to the criticisms of these sites - audience has a LOT to do with it. Visual and artistic-types gravitate towards very different design values. Depending on what you want the site to do, and for whom, these sites could very well be just the sort of thing you need. The broader the audience, the less 'design-y' you should make your site. Google is a great example. They cater to everyone by using a design which doesn't say too much and is informed 100% by the core function of the site.