This was a transformative period. The internet was no longer just a collection of HTML pages—it was becoming interactive, social, and brand-driven. Graphic design had to evolve fast to keep up with the explosion of platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter (RIP bird logo).
🧽 1. Skeuomorphism at Its Peak
The idea: digital elements should look like their real-world counterparts.
Think:
-
Leather-bound calendar apps 🐄
-
Notepads with stitched edges 🧵
-
Buttons that looked pressable, with bevels, shadows, and reflections
Apple’s macOS and early iOS designs led the charge. It was familiar, comforting, and totally over the top.
🌐 2. The Web 2.0 Look: Gloss, Gradients & Glass
Web 2.0 wasn’t just a technical term—it came with its own style guide:
-
Reflections under logos (hello, iTunes)
-
Rounded buttons with glassy finishes
-
Subtle gradients to create depth
-
Badges and bubbles galore
These design cues screamed “modern internet startup,” and every website wanted in.
📱 3. The iPhone’s Influence Begins
Launched in 2007, the iPhone changed design forever. Though its early icons were skeuomorphic, the touchscreen-first interface forced designers to rethink interaction.
Side Note : 🔥 Get 75 Premium Fonts for Just $37 – Limited Time!
It also sparked:
-
Higher pixel density considerations
-
Finger-friendly UI elements
-
App-centric design thinking
🔤 4. Sans-Serif Fonts Go Mainstream
While serif fonts still lived in print, the web demanded clarity:
-
Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma were workhorses
-
Helvetica had its moment in the spotlight (especially after the 2007 documentary)
Font licensing was still a pain, but designers began preparing for a more typographically mature future.
🎯 5. Focus on Branding Consistency
Brands in this era realized: “We need to look like we belong on the internet.” Cue:
-
Logo redesigns (glossy, icon-friendly)
-
Custom color palettes for web use
-
Style guides for digital branding
This era planted the seeds of what would become full-blown design systems later on.
🖥️ 6. Fixed Layouts Rule the Web
Responsive design? Not yet.
Most sites used:
Side Note : Promote & earn with Letterhanna’s affiliate program.
-
Fixed pixel widths (often 960px)
-
Centered content blocks
-
Sidebars galore
It was clean-ish, but not adaptive. Designers optimized for desktop, and maybe—just maybe—a BlackBerry.
🧰 7. Photoshop Dominates Design Workflow
Adobe Photoshop was the undisputed heavyweight of the design world. Everything was done in it:
-
Web mockups
-
Banner ads
-
Logo polishing
-
Button glossifying (is that a word?)
Vector design? Eh, that’s what Illustrator was for (barely used in UI yet).
📢 8. Rise of the Blog & Banner Design
Content creators were exploding onto the web via Blogger, WordPress, and Tumblr. Designers responded with:
-
Custom blog headers
-
Sidebar ad design
-
“Subscribe” buttons that looked like candy 🍬
It was a booming freelance era—many graphic designers built careers on Myspace themes and blog banners.
🤯 Unique Fact of the Day
When Apple launched the first iPhone, Steve Jobs insisted that app icons look like physical objects so users would “intuitively understand” them. That’s why the Notes app looked like a legal pad—and also why your calculator once had metal buttons.
🧠 Creative Challenge
Try designing a modern UI inspired by Web 2.0:
-
Include one glassy button
-
Use a soft blue gradient background
-
Add a shiny, badge-style logo
-
Optional: sprinkle in drop shadows like it’s 2008
Think of it as a fun, kitschy throwback.
Here Are Some Fonts You Might Love! 👀
