Sometime around 2015 there was a mysterious vibe shift in web design. It came so suddenly, and with so much decisive force, that it stood apart from the normal ebb and flow of aesthetic trends. It was like an invasive species taking over an ecosystem from a weaker competitor.
An example of the photo realistic versus a more illustrative style.
We think when Unsplash, (the free photography website), was founded in 2013 it killed the old vibe by democratizing access to great photography, and thereby ruining its function as a costly status signal. Soon other similar photo repositories started to spring up. Companies then started using custom illustrations in their brand aesthetic because illustrations suddenly became much more rare and expensive relative to photos.
Read more about this trend in this informative article by Nathan Baschez. Also, check out this great article on DesignRush, where our Director, Don Grantham is quoted.
And talk to us about the latest trends and how it may affect your brand and web presence.