What does it take to get accepted into a top design gallery in this day and age? To be glorified as a designer and to reap the syndication of your latest masterpiece- to sit among the ranks of the designers you look up to.
This could be done in the form of firing off screenshots, but I want to go deeper than that. Through a few examples of each topic and commentary in between, the aim is for you to have the best shot you can get at inclusion of the VIP clubs of the web’s hottest property.
Illustrative
An Illustrator is a rare breed of graphic design with a combination of skills that make for one helluva talented individual. The ability to not only draw, but to take that and get it into a beautiful website adds another great skill to an already full selection of weaponry.
When a great illustrator can combine that art with good web design, it can make for some results that will have the CSS galleries up in a fit for months to come.
8 more styles after the break, read on!
Ooh… Shiny
As much as I hate to say it, shiny things attract the eye. Whether it be a website or walking down the street, something that glows, reflects or shines is bound to catch you looking for a couple seconds - purist or not. As much as you might want to hate it, I don’t see this trend going anywhere.
When a designer combines tons of time, attention to detail and the shine effect, it can make for some buzz around the design blogs.
Dead Simple
Some might say it is harder to make a stunning website without images than it is to create a stunning GUI. Using text to paint the picture and lines to hold the easel, you can create some great things.
Through subtlety and quiet features you can attract the reader to your content. Natural tones (browns, mossy greens) are popular here for the psychological effect they give, and how it works nicely with the overall theme of simplicity.
Dark and Expressive
Everyone loves a design that aptly puts dark shades to use. No matter how many times it’s done, there’s always something unique about it. Some of the greatest designs that take a more simple route are just lines and text, set on a dark background. But what makes a design expressive?
Through elements such a gradients (you’ll see a lot radial gradients) and glowing effects, it gives the design a little more of an “artsy” feel. Not in the way of that 80 year old art teacher you had, but it gives it a creative touch. Something every design needs no matter the complexity.
Textured
Wood has become quite the trend lately, and for good reason. If you can find a good texture and put it to good use, the results can be incredible. A texture with that high imagery factor, grunge effects for example, can be the building blocks for a pupil popping first impression.
The key to these designs is to maintain the integrity of the web design. Combing that with an eye grabbing texture equals a great shot at CSS fame and fortune.
Things that Glow
Much like shiny things, things that emit light cause much happiness in the realms of our brains. In comparison of the shiny effect, too much of this will throw the whole thing into a vertical tailspin that no one wants you to break out of.
Moderation, folks, cherish it. That’s the key to these designs, or anything where one effect is the focal point.
Big and Bold Colours
Designs that get in your face and demand attention, often get just what they were looking for. An eye for colour and a dash of confidence go a long way here, and can have great effects on what the user does. Usually these sites are not content driven however.
Instead of driving to read or subscribe, these sites typically drive you to inquire about their services. When done right I’m sure it works wonders.
Big Imagery
Note this, photographers: the best way to get people to see your work, is by showing it off everywhere! Same goes for designers alike. Get some nice big pictures up front and push prospective clients over the edge.
This is a style almost any (reasonable) designer can pull off, because the attention is drawn to one thing (whether you made it/took it or not). Make sure you can back it up!
Temperature Driven
Hot and cold feelings can run down your spine if the design is right. Icy cool blues and red hot scarlets seem to emit a feeling of a nice relaxing day in the sun, or bundling up for battle with the elements.
Colour selection is a process here that must be assisted by gradients and other tools to create depth and that feeling of warmth or a bite in the air.
What Else?
I’d like to hear what trends are getting into the galleries that you are loving, and the trends that make you die a little inside. Personally, whenever I see a site with a great look above the fold, but dies as you scroll, a little my inner child disintegrates a little.
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