Web design has come a long way since the start of the century. Happily, for the good of our eyes, layouts have become less cluttered, graphics have improved, and of course, technological advances mean that sites load a lot faster. But some legendary websites didn’t make it to see these changes. They were lost along the way, leaving us to only imagine what they might look like today.
One project is doing just that, looking at sites of the past, from LimeWire to Ask Jeeves and giving them a modern aesthetic. The facelifts of four iconic sites show how web design has evolved since the days of dial-up, and also how certain norms have been established in UI design (see our pick of the best UI design tools if you’re looking to expand your own toolkit).
LimeWire
The original LimeWire. Click right to see the makeover (Image credit: Fasthosts )
A brighter, cleaner LimeWire for 2023 (Image credit: Fasthosts )
The hosting site Fasthosts (opens in new tab) began the project as a tribute to cultural icons that “played a valuable role in our lives at some point, and whose names cause a wave of nostalgia and fond memories to wash over us.” It’s made over four sites of the past, and first up is Limewire.
A free peer-to-peer file-sharing client that capitalised on the demise of Napster, Limewire was basically just a download screen. That leaves a lot of room for improvement to create a fuller user experience. The proposed facelift introduces a darker background to help the bright album covers pop against the brand green and a more minimalist UI to make browsing easier. This looks like something that aims to give Spotify a run for its money.
Bebo
The bebo platform went bankrupt in 2013… (Image credit: Fasthosts )
how bebo could look today (Image credit: Fasthosts )
Bebo was one of the first of a new generation of ‘micro-blogging’ social media sites. It let you post to all your followers at once and see updates in a single feed view. It went bankrupt in 2013 and an attempt to revive the site in 2021 failed to achieve success.
The makeover above keeps the site’s recognisable dark look but makes things sleeker and a whole lot more Twitter-like. The search bar functionality is still there, but filters are added to allow customisation of the feed. Side functions like ‘games’ and ‘luvs’ have been dropped to a more mature product.
Myspace
The original social media leader, Myspace (Image credit: Fasthosts )
A revamped Myspace (Image credit: Fasthosts )
Now, strictly speaking Myspace is not dead. The site still exists, and it looks very different to what it did back in the day, foregrounding music news content. Fasthosts has focused on the original community ethos, foregrounding new connections and hashtags to follow community discussions.
It might look more like LinkedIn than a music-oriented social media platform, but it’s certainly sleeker than Myspace’s original design. It also adds a shop, reflecting the fact that social media sites need to increase monetisation (think Twitter Blue), but we’re not sure what exactly this shop would sell.
Ask Jeeves
Ask Jeeves was a little cluttered. Click right for a more minimalist approach (Image credit: Fasthosts )
Something about this looks familiar (Image credit: Fasthosts )
The search engine Ask Jeeves was the epitome of 90s web design, throwing everything it had at the page. The 2023 revamp sees it stripped back to a Google-like minimalism, improving its usability. “Users want something minimalist, clean, and easy-to-use,” Fasthosts notes. The stripped-back approach extends to the logo, which reduces Jeeves to just a bowtie and a portion of a suit. We have a fond nostalgia for the original Ask Jeeves site, but I wonder if a cleaner approach might have helped it survive the battle of the search engines.
5 practical requirements to make you a better UX/UI Designer. Not just about design tools or resources, they make you more qualified to your designer job requirements.
While I was starting this article, I contemplated the board, trying to find a more appropriate entry to begin — should I make a list of UI UX designer requirements. Such as, “which books about design you should read?” or “which design blogs you must follow”. Or I can simply focus on the details instead of form a border perspective to talking about. Since there are already plenty excellent essays discussing about UI UX Designer Requirements from a big picture, I would like to suggest some practical tips and principles which may make a UI UX designer more qualified.
Obviously, mastering an efficient prototyping tool is a must
I am not going to tell you which prototyping tools you should choose, whether Mockplus or Axure. But you need to find the most suitable one for you. Time and practice r will take until you find the faster, simpler and smarter one. Meanwhile, your good design competence and rich specialized knowledge are required and advanced during your search.
A serious note for you, trying every prototyping tools before you made your decision. Just give them all a shot then you won’t miss, then stick to your favorite one and master it. So the UI UX designer requirements here is to practice more prototyping tools even though you already has one, it may surprises you beyond your imaginations.
Supposing you were a real user rather than just a UI / UX designer is a big help
By “supposing” i mean shifting your mind into a real user. This kind of role reversal may build a shortcut to improve your design. Every UI / UX designer should stick with the principle that design with knowing its intention. Product derives from demand, this golden rule still works. If possible, trying to build a lasting and friendly connection with your user. It is very considerate for there are might plenty questions they will encounter during the application period.
Moreover, your user would even appreciate it more if you have always been kind and skillful when communicate with them. And in turn, they will stick to your product and give you timely and valuable feedback. You are the winner finally. Do remember the Do’s and Don’ts of User-Centered Design. So the UI UX Designer requirements here is being nice to your user and being as one.
Changing a little bit of your way of learning may works like a charm
First, a question-what is the book you recently read? If your answer is a book about design or just a design magazine. I would like to offer a book list you might be interested.
Yes, they are more about arts and philosophies rather than teh design itself. My recommendation there does not mean you should just drop your design books such as Designing Design or Interaction Design. The fact is that design requires aesthetics, not only from the visual aspect but also from the connotation side. You just need to learn more. So the UI UX Designer requirements here is going to a library and buy some books. Then sit quietly and start reading.
Stop hanging out only with your designer friends will spark your inspiration
The term “confirmation bias” exists not only in psychology & cognitive science field. It actually is overwhelming in our daily life. We all tend to agree with people who agree with us. We prefer hang out with people share similar worldview. However, your view narrows as you limit your field. Meeting people with different perspectives draws a more completed and balanced picture.
Openness is an endless inspiration source which serves an important trait of a great designer. For example, when you design a food app, just get together with your best foodie friend. He or she will definitely provides you valuable advice which in result, will boost you work. So the UI UX Designer requirements here is hanging out with non-designers or with anyone who holds different beliefs, challenges you and brings new perspectives.
Learning from the best will make a difference
Human being is social animals, then just be as one. Do not against your nature to be a lone wolf, trying to do things “ in a pack ”. You must have been through this period, no matter you are a famous UI UX designer already or a new comer of this field, you must have learned from the best, and you are going to do with that. It is like climbing a mountain, you look at the peak and keep climbing, and finally you became the “ peak ” of some others. Learning from the best is a good a way helps you to absorb the wisdom and turn it into yours. So the UI UX Designer requirements here is to being modest and learning to learn.
I hope you enjoyed the read and even your light benefit from my article will courage me to keep writing. We all may found ourselves feeling insecure sometimes. However, i am not going to give up easily. I am not obligated to win , but i am obligated to keep trying. This requirement is for you and me both.
A note: The link of the books. Please check the following if you are interested:
