Post by astropoug on May 2, 2022 17:39:24 GMT 10
The 2010s have been defined by a sharp backlash to 2000s maximalism, skeuomorphism, and flashiness, in favor of minimalism and flat design.
Whilst 2010-2012 was still mostly skeuomorphic and flashy, and ultimately not much different from the late 2000s, 2013 saw a shift. Windows 8 and iOS 7 showed the new direction tech aesthetics were moving in. In 2014, both macOS and Android also made the shift, so that by late 2014, skeuomorphism was firmly dead.
That said, I do think you saw a slight reversal starting in 2017. Whilst still minimalistic, you saw greater usage of gradients and transparent effects not present in 2014-2016. Microsoft introduced the Fluent design language meant as a replacement for the Metro design introduced in 2012, which opted for greater usage of visual effects in contrast to the barrenness of Metro.
So IMO, I’d have to say either 2015 or 2016 was peak 2010s minimalism, since you still had skeuomorphism and Frutiger Aero being used for a portion of 2014, even if it was on its last legs. That said, 2016 was the year Instagram, probably the last major holdout in regards to skeuomorphic design, finally changed their logo to a flatter gradient logo. So I’m going to have to personally go for 2016 as the most minimalistic year of the 2010s, in much the same way 2007 was the flashiest and most skeuomorphic year of the 2000s.
Whilst 2010-2012 was still mostly skeuomorphic and flashy, and ultimately not much different from the late 2000s, 2013 saw a shift. Windows 8 and iOS 7 showed the new direction tech aesthetics were moving in. In 2014, both macOS and Android also made the shift, so that by late 2014, skeuomorphism was firmly dead.
That said, I do think you saw a slight reversal starting in 2017. Whilst still minimalistic, you saw greater usage of gradients and transparent effects not present in 2014-2016. Microsoft introduced the Fluent design language meant as a replacement for the Metro design introduced in 2012, which opted for greater usage of visual effects in contrast to the barrenness of Metro.
So IMO, I’d have to say either 2015 or 2016 was peak 2010s minimalism, since you still had skeuomorphism and Frutiger Aero being used for a portion of 2014, even if it was on its last legs. That said, 2016 was the year Instagram, probably the last major holdout in regards to skeuomorphic design, finally changed their logo to a flatter gradient logo. So I’m going to have to personally go for 2016 as the most minimalistic year of the 2010s, in much the same way 2007 was the flashiest and most skeuomorphic year of the 2000s.
