Technology has changed drastically. Remember those bulky computers that looked like messy contraptions? Now, we have the sleekest laptops and lightning fast smartphones that dominate our lives. Within the technology paradigm, websites have evolved at an astonishing pace.
The first website was published in 1991! That was 26 years ago. Since then, websites have revolutionized the internet space and redefined businesses. From basic HTML websites to smooth interactive ones using the latest frameworks, the evolution of websites has been swift, slick and suave.
Today’s world wide web has as many smart single-page websites as heavy duty multi-page websites. However, have you ever wondered how did it all start? Let’s look at the interesting evolution of the website and the web design process.
Before black and white
This was a phase before the 90s kicked in, a time when internet connections were shifty and high-speed internet was unheard of. Websites would open window after window only to display more textual information. The web was extremely text centric and text heavy with no high-quality imagery or design layouts or rich media content. It was still a dark phase for the web design evolution.
Black and White
Although still text heavy, websites now had some visual appeal, structure, and shape as opposed to the earlier phase. The 90’s marked a breakthrough change in the way websites functioned with the introduction of the table structure. Columns, rows, animated texts, colors, and GIFs were used to spruce up websites. From being mundane and dreary, websites were now given a much-needed facelift! This phase also marked the JavaScript era which eventually took-over HTML and the table structure.
After black and white
While a revolution in the web design world was setting in, the color days were still far off. Multimedia software Flash was here, and designers went berserk with this unique advancement. Flash represented an entry into the world of modern design possibilities. Designs could now couple interactivity with virtual graphics and the early-mid 2000’s saw some jazzy websites. It was later observed that Flash was an SEO killer and with Apple abandoning it completely in 2007, it disappeared.
Color
CSS dominated this phase. Content and design could finally be separated and this gave designers the creative leeway to develop brilliant designs without restrictions. Likewise, content developers could have a free hand for their work to shine. A better design allowed for subtle colors to give a rich touch and an attractive visual appeal. Images could now be used as links and existing image resolutions became a grave concern as the concept of ‘high quality’ emerged. Design improved, but functionality took the center stage.
More Color
Some call it the modern web, others Web 2.0. The evolution got its final push when social media, multimedia applications, and SEO made an unexpected entry and demanded a new web avatar. Websites now included lively images, brilliant icons, smartly distributed content banners, perfect keywords, and digital contact forms. Concepts like inbound linking and outbound linking took over in this phase.
High-Definition Color (Present-day)
Today, websites are the illustrious web pages that we know them to be. One word that perfectly describes the present-day web design process is responsive. Websites are device agnostic – you can access the same website from a desktop or a smartphone and it works seamlessly without hampering the design or the functionality. WordPress is a pathbreaking platform for today’s new age web design process. There is a template or pre-defined layout for every type of website requirement that exists. UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) have replaced the word ‘design’. As modern-day nomenclatures, they indicate the perfect blend of design and functionality. Simply put, present day websites are an ode to the 26-year-old web design evolution.
Websites are an integral component of marketing and branding and where the web design process will go from here is anybody’s guess. However, we reckon, Form, Function, and Flair will continue to dominate the web design process for eternity.
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Also published on Medium.