Brutalism in Website Design and Why It’s a Growing Trend

As time goes on, artistic styles change, and in 2022, the time has arrived for brutalism in web design. For those casually perusing the web, you might have stumbled upon a website lately that looks more art piece than website.

In doing so, it’s quite possible that you’ve encountered a growing trend among designers: brutalism. Famed for its strange uniqueness, brutalist web design grows in popularity with each passing year.

What is Brutalism in Web Design?

Pascal Deville first coined the term “brutalism”. In fact, Deville actually founded a website dedicated to the style. On it he describes how he defines brutalism in web design:

“In its ruggedness and lack of concern to look comfortable or easy, Brutalism can be seen as a reaction by a younger generation to the lightness, optimist, and frivolity of today’s web design.”

— Pascal Deville

Named after the architectural style it takes inspiration from, brutalism is a growing trend in web design. Brutalism focuses on making a killer first impression and building a striking, unique, and sometimes brutally simple experience for users.

Often built without looks or use in mind, the goal of a brutalist site is to create an impression. Having said that, this doesn’t mean brutalism is filling the web with websites that are horrible to use.  Done well, a brutalist website offers a one-of-a-kind chance to make a serious branded impact on website users.

Features of a Brutalist in Web Design

Typically, ruggedness, simplicity, and an unpolished yet hauntingly beautiful demeanor comprise features commonly found in a brutalist style. Large fonts, a focus on striking imagery and colors, and a simplistic user experience make these kinds of websites stand out from the crowd without sacrificing what we know about what makes good websites.

While there’s no consensus as to why brutalism in web design caught on so quickly, one can expect that the desire to stand out among a constantly growing crowd of competitor websites has something to do with it.

Generally, brutalist websites offer brands the chance to define their voice and style in extremely unique and expressive ways. Because of this, brutalism comes across as being extremely enticing among the arts, entertainment, fashion, food, and other creative industries.

Design for Your Brand

While brutalist styles present plenty of unique conceptual art for brands, it isn’t for everyone. Therefore, brands should strive to find their own voice, and by proxy, a web design style that best suits them.

To learn more about brutalism in web design, book a Planning Session with the digital marketing specialists at Rizzo Young Marketing.