Evolution of Website Design & The Exceptions
by RiceLunch · 18 things on Twos
- Context & Inspiration: Why Japan's internet is weirdly designed
- Summary:
- Minimalism is effective for globalized web design, with empty spaces and support for dark and bright modes. However, for domestic markets without a need for global reach, less empty space and bright colors are often preferred.
- Evolution of Website Design - Adopting Minimalism
- A modern website design often practices minimalism. It has simple navigation, bigger images, and fewer words. This attracts attention to the important elements and does not distract attention with flashy elements.
- Reddit Explanation
- The Internet heavily revolves around the Google Search engine. The top pages in Google search, including Google itself, practice minimalism. They show the main point at first sight, ensuring that users get the message before they leave. Therefore, the rest of the world also practices minimalism to stay competitive globally.
- Exceptional Case - Japan, China
- Japan's minimalist design trend is an exception due to technological lag and historical isolation. Japanese companies, having been ahead in technology in the past, do not feel the need to stay competitive globally since it is already profitable domestically. They remain unchanged and have not adopted the minimalist trend up until today.
- Why Japanese Websites Look So Different
- Additionally, China uses its own popular apps instead of Google, which offer multiple functions in one platform like a super app. To stay competitive, other apps need to incorporate numerous features in their web design in hope of user retention due one of the features and rely on excessive advertisements for profits.
- Would Google be replaced by Baidu? LINE Pay be replaced by Alipay? Try using Chinese apps while traveling in Taiwan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bscLBstsEoI)
- Extra Fun Information:
- Examples of Japanese Websites
- How Website Design Differs In Four Corners Of The World