Bigger (or busier) is not always best. Minimalism is the art of less, and it is becoming a popular modern design approach for business and personal websites.
‘Less is more’ is a principle that Google may have pioneered, but more and more, the modern online user appreciates the simplicity that leads to easier and faster use. Minimalist websites offer faster loading times and better compatibility between screen sizes. And, a simple UI design enhances mobile browsing, without harming the user experience.
The minimalist philosophy is simply this: use a basic design around your content. In other words, add your rough content, then build just enough interface for users to find what they want and navigate to it easily.
The trick is to be uncluttered, but not boring. Functional, but beautiful. Simple, but catching the eye and attention. Sound complicated? I’m sure. Here are some basic tips to follow when attempting a minimal website design.
- User-friendly interface
- Hidden navigation
- No more than three colors at once
- Lots of empty space
- Experimentation with fonts
- No excess detail: color transitions, shadows, textures
- No extra buttons
Think it’s impossible? Not so! Here are 10 minimalist websites that pull off the concept beautifully. Browse them for inspiration and ideas, then go simplify your online world!
Alfa Charlie – A San Diego Creative Agency
A basic white background, a few key images, and very few words convey all that is necessary for users to find what they need at this minimal website. Only a few clicks lead to everything important, and then only if you need the links.
https://alfacharlie.co
Zinacor – Zinc and Aluminum Manufacturing
This Belgian company hosts a standard scrolling website that displays a large image and sections, but still embraces the minimalist philosophy. More information can be found behind a slider panel, but plenty is presented on the front page, yet with a simple and functional style.
https://www.zinacor.com/en/
Syndicut – Hair Styling
This Tel-Aviv barber uses simple elements to entice users to scroll down and continue engaging with the site, literally all the way down the main page. Getting a simple haircut is no longer simple; it is an act of personalization that makes a unique statement about who you are as a person.
https://www.syndicut.co
Molo Design
A dazzling image catches the eye and naturally causes the user to scroll downward, only to see a new image and product. Molo uses basic color images to highlight their designs with the fewest words necessary for links and descriptions.
https://molodesign.com
Chameleon Media
Chameleon Media grabs the user with powerful video and optional voiceover to explain who they are and what they do, without any distracting elements. This company specializes in VR/AR, advertising, and filmmaking, and they show it instead of force the user to read about it.
https://chameleon.media/en/
Creative Cruise 2019
The sponsors of Creative Cruise 2019 in Amsterdam took their idea and created a literal interactive experience for users to demonstrate how cruse participants will board the ship at various points. Links are provided for more information, but the introductory page is too much fun to quickly move away!
https://www.creativecruise.nl
Better Therapeutics
This medical website presents quite a bit of information as the user scrolls down, but in bite-sized, easily manageable pieces. At each section, the user finds a basic explanation with illustration and a link for more information. The design is fluid, clean, bright, and totally minimal, but with loads of information.
https://www.bettertherapeutics.io
Array Scalable Products and Brands
Array grabs users’ attention with a bold heading on a white background. Then, users scroll down to see images of products from different partners. Information on the company and what they actually do is pretty hard to find. Simplicity crosses into complexity here, and requires searching for information. Still, it’s an attractive site.
https://www.madebyarray.com
Clarity ARTS
This furniture design and installation company guides users through a finished kitchen via video with the absolute minimum of wording to describe what they do. Users can then scroll down or click dot navigation along the right side to visit other portions of the front page, all simply directing you to other portions of the website.
https://www.clarityarts.com
Roger Ferris + Partners
This architecture firm uses soundless video to portray them working, showcase their building, and give you a taste of architecture, all without any verbal explanation besides their company name. Links allow users to access the information they need to learn about this company, their history, and their work, but all in a clean, minimalist style. A perfect website for an architecture firm that designs modern buildings.
https://www.ferrisarch.com
After exploring these minimal design websites, what elements do you like the most? What would you wish to incorporate into your own company website design? Record your responses in the comments below!