Highlights from Circle Live: Design Trends 2023
Each year, new design trends emerge as a response to changing user preferences and behaviors. They present an opportunity to infuse something new into your work, encouraging creativity and innovation in your web design offerings. By following current trends, you can stay on top of what’s “in” while exploring new ideas, pushing boundaries, and experimenting with novel concepts.
In Circle Live’s inaugural episode, hosts Sam Zelitch and Sarah Greisdorf interview Squarespace visual designer Mikki Janower to learn practical applications for 2023’s web design trends: Y2K, 90s Nostalgia, Metaverse, Brutalism, and Rave.
Y2K
The Y2K aesthetic is a departure from the fear and uncertainty that initially surrounded the new millennium. Rather, it’s approached with an optimism that is reminiscent of the early internet, offering a positive revival of the aesthetic that once dominated the early aughts.
When it comes to applying the Y2K aesthetic to web design, it’s all about paying homage to simpler times and leaning into intentionally colorful palettes and smart copy. Reference tabloid chic’s eye-catching headlines, vibrant colors, provocative imagery, and attention-grabbing style. Or take a more spunky approach and embrace indie sleaze, a theme that has become prevalent in today’s fashion.
Brutalism
With its raw, stripped-down aesthetics and focus on functionality, Brutalism is a balance of intentionality, bold typography, and simplicity. Brutalism is represented in the real world through architecture, boasting sharp angles, and exposed structures.
It’s important to understand the rules and systems of Brutalism before implementing elements into your design work. Like in architecture, Brutalist websites emphasize functionality with a system that’s really tight and colors that are bare but thoughtful. Overlapping elements that highlight the structural character of your work helps a website look intentionally Brutalist rather than unintentionally sloppy.
90s Nostalgia
While similarly aligned with the Y2K aesthetic, 90s Nostalgia is derived from its own subcultures and aesthetics. Bright, primary colors dominate the palette, as well as acid graphics, textured backgrounds, and layered elements.
To put it into practice, use pixel type fonts, which are associated with the early computer systems, video games, and digital displays of that era. Pair the blocky text with vibrant, bold colors, geometric shapes, and retro-themed illustrations and art. Take it a step further by incorporating 3D effects, drop shadows, and moving graphics to evoke true nostalgia for the 90s.
Rave
Rave culture balances expression and practicality, characteristics that anchor the aesthetic from a design perspective. Influenced by electronic music and the freedom of expression, the Rave aesthetic is visually engaging and dynamic. Frequent themes include vibrant color palettes, pop culture touchpoints, and a collage-style approach to establishing visual depth.
Web design that is Rave-inspired incorporates animated and layered elements, slick and minimalistic design, futuristic typography, and experimental layouts. Squarespace’s drag-and-drop content editor, Fluid Engine, makes it possible to achieve the look of an iconic rave flyer without having to rely on custom code.
Metaverse
Characterized by chrome textures, multi-dimensional components, and mixed media, the Metaverse aesthetic refers to principles applied to evoke the immersive nature of the ever-present virtual spaces. It features sleek, futuristic elements that are derived from an advanced digital world.
Metaverse can be achieved by focusing on how elements are arranged. Add scrollable and dynamic elements, and include animation or parallax to engage with visitors as they scroll around. In its most extreme, the Metaverse aesthetic should encourage visitor participation by integrating clickable items and interactive components while delivering an almost dystopian atmosphere.
When it comes to web design, your skill is in balancing popular aesthetics with your personal expression. In finding unique ways to incorporate these trends into your work, you can appeal to visitors’ subconscious comfort in and acceptance of the familiar while maintaining authenticity. Learn more about the trends dominating web design in 2023.
-
Sam Zelitch: [0:01] Mikki Janower is a designer, a researcher, an [0:07] art director. She's, uh, she is a designer with Squarespace specifically, but also she maintains an independent practice, [0:15] um, a little side hustle, which is amazing. Um, we are so delighted to have her here at our very first Circle live. Hey Mikki, [0:23] how's it going?
Mikki Janower: Howdy, I'm great. I'm fresh back from Miami Art Week, and I have no tan to show [0:30] for it. How are you?
Sam Zelitch: I'm, I'm doing fantastically. Um Miami Art Week–is that very different [0:37] from Art Basel? Is that the same thing?
Mikki Janower: It is centered around our Basel Miami but [0:42] there are a lot of satellite shows like the New Art Dealers Alliance and Untitleds that are no less worth going [0:49] to.
Sam Zelitch: Awesome. Awesome, uh, I mean you obviously get around in the art and design world. [0:57] Um, really quickly though, I would love for our audience, and for our sake as well, to get a sense of your background. [1:07] Um, how did you go from being, uh, just a regular person to being a designer and [1:13] then going from being a designer to becoming a Squarespace designer?
Mikki Janower: Totally, well I've never been a regular person [1:19] um I started as a bookworm. I really liked words so I really liked the visual systems that make words make sense. I got [1:27] my start in the Boston DIY music scene making posters for musicians and since then I've worked with clients of all [1:33] kinds. I came here via the New York Times, where I was helping to renegotiate print [1:39] standards and now I am at Squarespace talking about websites all day and I [1:45] take on all kinds of challenges here from business cards to immersive digital landscapes for Bjork.
Sam Zelitch: [1:51] That is super cool. And yeah, if you haven't checked out the Squarespace Icons campaign that started with the [1:58] Bjork website for Bjork's new album, definitely check that out. You'll see some of Mikki’s work up front and [2:04] center. Really impressive work there, Mikki.
Mikki Janower: Thank you, tired of looking at it.
Sam Zelitch: Yeah I'm sure, I'm [2:12] sure. I feel like, uh, you have a lot of uh, uh, uh, the same feelings of designers in [2:17] the audience here today. Um, all right. So let's talk about, um, design trends. Um, actually I'm gonna [2:24] toss it over to Sarah now to sort of focus the conversation around design trends.
Sarah Greisdorf: Yeah thanks so much Sam [2:31], and thanks Mikki so much for being here. Um, it seems like we got some Miami Art Week fans in the audience, so cool that [2:38] you got to bring that to this discussion as well. Um, Mikki you're such an incredible [2:43] designer and we are so lucky to have your expertise here–yes little hearts. [2:48] Um, can you start off by just telling us like what are design trends and why do they matter?
Mikki Janower: [2:54] Totally, um, I guess I would define design trends as approaches, formats, media, and motifs [3:01] that become popular and then start to appear more commonly in the work we do. Keeping up with trends and keeping ahead [3:07] of trends gives us time to understand their socio-cultural contexts and learn best practices for their execution and [3:14] generally just develop more thoughtful and informed work in conversation with the zeitgeist.
Sarah Greisdorf: [3:19] Phew, well that is probably better than I've ever described anything in my life [3:25], um, so thank you so much for that. Um, Sam given that context are we ready [3:30] to kind of get into what our predictions are for 2023.
Sam Zelitch: I sure feel like this is the right time to do it. So I'm going to share up on the [3:37] screen um the awesome blog post by our, uh, compatriot and colleague Arianna [3:43] Frederick on the 2023 trends and web design aesthetic design trends. [3:49] Um, basically how we're going to work this is, uh, Sarah and I are going to go back and forth, um, with each one of the trends we're [3:55] gonna toss it up into the air, give it a little bit of a prep, and then Mikki [4:02] just, uh, ask you to respond. How does that sound?
Mikki Janower: Sounds good.
Sam Zelitch: Fantastic, so, uh, let's start [4:09] with this one here which is very near and dear to my heart um and once again you can all read this [4:16] blog post on the Squarespace blog pros.squarespace.com. [4:21] Um, Y2K a nod to the early days of the internet boom, 2023's Y2K aesthetic is a [4:27] fresh approach to the nostalgic optimism and energy of the early 2000s. I remember Y2K. I recall it as kind of a scary time [4:35], everyone thought that the whole world was going to shut down, and then it didn't, so to me it's kind of interesting that this, this trend is so colorful and [4:43] bright and positive. What do you think, Mikki?
Mikki Janower: I actually think that our interest in [4:48] Y2K is part of a sort of broader movement toward Pastiche, and I mean our [4:54] present is ecologically uncertain and the future is untenable, uh, so we turn to [4:59] homage to reminisce about simpler times and, and to be cheeky and smart. Um, so I get why we're kind of [5:07] revising our, our Y2K panic and instead leaning into [5:13] this sort of fun, bright, old internet aesthetic.
Sam Zelitch: [5:18] I, I think that's a good thing, to be clear. I think that's awesome that we're revisiting it this way, it's just [5:23] whenever I see Y2K, I always think about uh, uh, uh clocks stopping across the world and, uh, Wall Street shutting down. [5:31] Um, I, I mean I just, I love the, the aesthetic of this. I love all the GIFs, I mean I remember regardless of how you [5:38] pronounce the word. I remember when they first appeared and it was like, it was like, like all of a sudden, a video can be [5:44] contained within, um, a single image. Um, Mikki like, how do, how do you think [5:51] that this particular aesthetic could be, uh, applied in just a couple of phrases [5:58], ideas, and uh images.
Mikki Janower: Well that's complicated because I think there are a [6:03] lot of different ways you can approach the sort of Y2K umbrella. Um, you can go tabloid chic, like the very [6:10] sparky, spunky kitsch of a recent cover for The Verge by Elana Schlenker that I [6:17] will link to in the chat. You could go kind of cyber sexual and reference our early aughts visions of cyberspace and its [6:24] potential. Or you could go indie sleaze which is, of course, back [6:29]. Um, there are a lot of ways to do any of those things. I think Rhizomes Internet [6:34] Art Archive is a great digital resource. Another place to look is Dot Dot Dot, a defunct critical design magazine from [6:41] that era.
Sam Zelitch: Fantastic, and I know how much you like magazines. Uh, we've talked about this [6:48] before, how much we both individually love print media. Um, all right, so that's the first design trend. Exciting, [6:54] um, I can't wait to find out about the next one.
Sarah Greisdorf: Yeah, absolutely. And I just want to say with Y2K, [7:00] I love, uh, you can just tell in that GIFs image–so reminiscent of what [7:05] [NAME REDACTED] is doing today, talking about, um, artists who, you know, we predicted we're gonna be big. I mean shout out to [7:12] my girl [NAME REDACTED], um , and her Y2K. Girl was not even alive, but that's okay. Um, all right, moving on to our next trend, [7:20], um, which is brutalism, which Mikki, for me, like, exclusively is represented by [7:25] Boston City Hall. I don't know if anyone here is joining us from Boston or has visited Boston before, but if you do a [7:31] quick [search] for Boston City Hall, um, you'll just see what looks like a big block of cement, uh, and it just screams [7:39] brutalism. So what does that mean for the internet? What does that mean for design, Mikki?
Mikki Janower: [7:44] Well, um, Boston is my hometown and that is exactly what I think of as well. [7:50], um, brutalism, architecturally, this, like, very material structural approach had [7:56] its roots in access and community care with an eye towards social housing. And in that tradition web designers like [8:02] [NAME REDACTED] are minimizing styling in favor of system defaults, which makes [8:08] UI easier to assemble, scale, and disseminate. But like architecture and [8:14], like, you know, the Boston municipal government built its fancy City Hall in the style [8:19] brutalism was eventually adopted by elites and academics. And art imitates [8:25] art and design, the same thing has happened. The Institute of Design has a [8:31] really great typeface ID display where each glyph is broken down into its modular segments and that's maybe in the [8:37] more high art, inaccessible end of the brutalism spectrum. To do brutalism, to [8:45] sort of implement brutalism in our work, I would recommend knowing the rules before you break them. Building and [8:51] typesetting are really tight system first and then strategically dismantling pieces of it [8:57].
Sarah Greisdorf: Um, it's interesting because in some of these, uh, images that we're seeing on the screen, [9:02] where's the line do you think between like simple and then like intentionally [9:08] in this style. You know on that slide that we're seeing with the minimal elements, it's just text on a page. Where [9:14] do you think it, like, goes, it kind of ventures into, like, this was intentionally designed [9:20] um, in, in a brutalist style instead of, uh, with no styling at all?
Mikki Janower: I think that [9:26] things look intentionally brutalist as opposed to unintentionally sloppy when the system is otherwise really tight, so [9:32] when you're using a really consistent modular grid system, when you're using [9:38] typefaces that are clearly system defaults, or sort of in [9:43] that tradition, um, if the palette is maybe bare but thoughtful. If there's a lot of emphasis [9:50] on the material and structural character of the piece, then when you, you know, overlap something it looks really [9:57] thoughtful and deliberate as opposed to just like a mistake.
Sarah Greisdorf: Yeah, yeah. I love [10:02] that. It sounds like it's really about consistency and knowing what you're doing before you get into it. Is that [10:07] right?
Mikki Janower: Totally.
Sarah Greisdorf: Totally. All right, Sam, uh, back to you.
Sam Zelitch: Awesome, uh, brutalism–I'm glad to hear [10:15] your perspective on that, Mikki, because, uh, to me it's, uh, definitely the most [10:20] confusing, and I don't understand it enough. But, uh, I'm not sure I still understand it, but I'll rewatch this [10:25] video and I will, I will get there, I promise. Um, next, um–90s Nostalgia. Uh, perhaps this goes [10:33] hand in hand with Y2K. What do you think, Mikki?
Mikki Janower: I think it's another symptom of our tendency toward Pastiche, for sure [10:40].
Sam Zelitch: Yeah, I mean you've got a lot of those bright colors, primary colors. Um, do you think that there are any major [10:45] differences as to why this could be a separate design trend, uh, from Y2K.
Mikki Janower: Yeah, I [10:52] mean the 90s has a lot of its own subcultures and aesthetics, like vaporwave and acid graphics, which have [10:57] been in for the past few years–and which I find a little exhausted–and like really nostalgic Space Jam-era UI, which [11:04] is great and there are some great examples of that on the internet right now. Pixel type is pretty hot right now [11:11] within the 90s vernacular and ASCII art as well [11:16], um very in.
Sam Zelitch: Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what, what is ASCII art? I know, I know what ASCII is, but I'm not sure anybody else does.
Mikki Janower: ASCII [11:24] art is like an image making process where people use the symbols and [11:29] punctuation you can access on your keyboard.
Sam Zelitch: That is, that is super cool, uh. Yeah if [11:35] you search ASCII art, I think it's a-s-c-i-i art, is how you spell it [11:41]?
Mikki Janower: I just sent it in the chat.
Sam Zelitch: Fantastic, yeah. If anybody wants to see that's, um, I'm sure there's some great stuff that [11:47] Squarespace designers could be doing on that, um, on that front. Um, definitely near and dear, to me, so I [11:53] don't want to, uh, dwell on the 90s because, you know, not everybody has an attachment to it the way that I do. [11:59] Um, Sarah, what's up next?
Sarah Greisdorf: Um, yeah, and McKenna was right–I did try to dress on theme. Uh, Sam, I'm not sure if [12:06] you're going for brutalism or what Mikki is going for, but I was definitely going for 90s with my sweatshirt today. [12:13] Um, all right, let's keep it going. If you want to scroll on down, Sam, um, our next theme is rave. [12:20] Um, and as someone who, I can't say I'm a physical rave attender, but you know rave [12:26] on the internet seems like a slightly calmer, uh, and more inviting way to participate, uh, in the concept. Mikki, [12:33] what can you tell us about rave for web design?
Mikki Janower: Totally. I mean as a techno listener, I'm, I'm appreciative of the [12:40] rave ethos as it appears in design. I think rave culture promotes a good balance of expression and practicality [12:46]. You're wearing stainless steel jewelry, hands-free bags, movable clothes. Uh rave [12:51] design systems walk the same line between inventive and flexible. Budgets are small and needs really varied but [12:58] you want to push the discipline to its extreme seems to do the music justice. [13:04] a lot of really iconic rave flyers also push back on tenets of commercial design [13:09]. They appropriate pop culture touch points, or they use really analog media [13:14] like collage. And that, I think, is how we can really call back that, that [13:21] aesthetic in our work.
Sarah Greisdorf: Nice, and now that we have Fluid Engine, more of that collage style, I think, is really unlocked [13:28] for, for uh, Squarespace designers.
Mikki Janower: You can do things in Fluid that would take me all day to code. It is the coolest thing [13:35] I've ever seen.
Sarah Greisdorf: Awesome. Thanks for that positive endorsement [13:40].
Sam Zelitch: Do you have a little bit of coding background, Mikki? Can you do some code?
Mikki Janower: I do. I coded my website from scratch. It [13:46] took forever and I deeply regret it. Um, my engineer friends are not allowed to [13:53] look at my code because it is likely not up to industry standard.
Sam Zelitch: [13:59] You know what, I think that in, uh, in design you can take a little bit of [14:04] creative license, right? That's always a way out. Um, all right, so this is another one that [14:10], uh, I, I, I think I had an understanding of, uh, going into this blog post. But, um, I, I, [14:19] loved the way that this took me in kind of a different direction. Um, so, metaverse [14:26] our, uh, you know, our world obviously is changing. And obviously they're, they're [14:32], uh, companies, which we will not name, that are, are focusing so much on the metaverse. In fact, by just saying that I [14:39] actually I think I probably mentioned the company name. Um we'll talk about it later, but, uh, this [14:44] is sort of the broad idea of the metaverse, and thinking about, like, the virtual reality, thinking about [14:52], um, these bringing a realistic experience to the multi-dimensional components [14:59], mixed media, and chrome textures. I think I know what some of that means, but Mikki, once again I'd love some of your [15:06] guidance, uh, as far as what metaverse means for design.
Mikki Janower: Yeah, I mean the idea of mixed media and [15:13] texture in the digital space is really exciting. Um, what I'll add is that [15:19] the sort of digital age has demanded a renewed emphasis on motion, um, because the [REDACTED] algorithm is [15:25] really privileging Reels, and [REDACTED] has become a pretty vital communications channel, we've seen a lot more visual [15:33] toolbelts that come stocked with motion profiles like the MoMA Rebrand, which has a custom motion algorithm and a really [15:39] characteristic set of moves, and Porto Rocha's brand identity for Vevo, which is [15:45] designed to unfold dynamically in motion. Um, so I think as we lean further into [15:51] metaverse, we'll be seeing a lot more motion design.
Sam Zelitch: Yeah, uh, and you've–we've talked about [15:56] this before with metaverse. Just a creative way is to capture motion. You mentioned some, but what are, what are [16:02] some other ideas, maybe you can offer for creative motion design, um, maybe even, uh, things that can be [16:10] accomplished within Squarespace.
Mikki Janower: Yeah, I mean in Squarespace, I would say adding lots of scrollable and dynamic [16:17] elements to your site, um, is a great way to start. If you have any code background and you're willing [16:23] to brave the wilds of the custom code block, you can code some animation or [16:28] parallax into your site and build in items that sort of like move and engage [16:34] with the user as they scroll around.
Sam Zelitch: Love that, love that [16:41]. Well, this has been such a fantastic journey. [16:47] Um, we are, in a second, going to be able to, uh, open it up as a Q&A to Mikki, [16:54] um, and to us, if you want to ask us questions as well. So, anybody in the chat, um, if you have any questions, the best [17:01] place to put them would be in the Q&A box just so that we know that it's there. You can open up the, the Q&A box and [17:07] we'll see your questions. Um, but, uh, we also, uh, have McKenna who's patrolling the the chat, and I'll do a [17:14] little quick one, one through the chat as well to see if I can find any questions. Um but first, before we do that, uh, I want [17:22] to give a quick shout out to, uh, Arianna Frederick, our colleague who put this awesome blog post together [17:28], um that all of you can now go and visit and look through and share with your clients in a newsletter, create a video [17:35] about, um, I think that this is just a really great opportunity, uh, for you to, uh, start [17:41] off your own conversations about design trends with your clients and make yourself, uh, look like the pros that you [17:48] are. That's what we were hoping with this, this, uh, this blog post, um. But, um, also even before we do the Q&A, [17:57] one more thing, um, uh, again, because this is a Squarespace show, uh, we do have to give a [18:04] nod to our main sponsor. Uh, Sarah, would you like [18:09] to take on the next promo?
Sarah Greisdorf: Yes, uh, this show is also sponsored by the Circle [18:16] blog, um, which you all are now familiar with having just seen the web design trends [18:22] blog post. Um, I personally read every single blog post that comes out [18:28], um, we're just so lucky to have that as a resource. And, um, again really just like wouldn't promote anything I don't use myself so [18:35], um, really just want to give a big shout out to the Circle blog and you can use my code, uh, [18:41] www.pros.squarespace.com for free access to the Circle blog. Um, I just want to say Circle blog is, uh, [18:48] powered by readers like you, so thank you.
Sam Zelitch: Absolutely, uh, I read the Circle blog [18:54] every day and I pay attention to the links that come through the newsletter and Release Notes [19:00], um, so happy to have the Circle blog as a sponsor of this show. Um, so back to, uh, [sic] Mikki, we've got [19:08] some questions right now in the Q&A. Um, I'm gonna throw this first question out, um, but we've got one right now from [19:15], um, Simone. Um, it's can you think of and share any educational or non-profit institutions [19:20] that are using any of these trends yet? If any non-profit institutions or designers, um, are in the chat right now [19:26] feel free to share the links to those, uh, to those sites but, um, I'm gonna try and [19:32] think of, of some that I can think of. But Sarah and Mikki, if you have any ideas for institutions, uh, or nonprofits that are [19:39] using any of these trends, feel free to shout out those.
Mikki Janower: Arts institutions tend to be a little [19:46] bit ahead of the curve on these trends, particularly contemporary art institutions [19:51]. Um, if I was going to do some research for this right now, I would look, I would start looking at Kunsthalle, [19:56] non-collecting museums, um, typically in Scandinavia or parts of [20:02] Europe. Um, and that is the first place I would look. The Luminary in St Louis tends to have [20:09] pretty on-trend design. Um, Untitled Art Fair in Miami Beach has a very brutalist website. It's all Times [20:16] New Roman, very simple.
Sam Zelitch: Some great, great ideas for how to search [20:23] and also some specific things to search for. Um, [sic] next question from Brad we have is [20:29]: what is the going rate for designing a custom Squarespace, uh, site? I'm sure it [20:36] varies. That's a question that, um, I'm gonna actually put to the, uh, the chat. Uh [20:41] there's such a variation on, on questions, I'm sorry on on prices, that people use. If anybody, any other Circle members are [20:49] willing to share or want to share, like, a link to, uh, where to connect with you on [REDACTED]. That's a great question even [20:54] also to actually put into the forum. I know that McKenna shared a link to the Forum again, um, actually if you could, uh, [21:00] please share a link to the Forum again in the chat, um, that's kind of the reason that we, we have that because [21:06], um, you know we're not the expert on all of the various prices that people [21:11], uh, use for their businesses.
Sarah Greisdorf: And Sam, maybe this is just a good, quick [21:18] moment to just plug, uh, our Circle Day, um, hub, which if you didn’t, uh, attend [21:23] Circle Day or aren't familiar with it, it's, um, now our annual conference that we run [21:29], um, to really gather our whole community in one place. And one of the great sessions that came out of that was, um, by [21:34] David Alex on how he builds, um, how he gets like $10K projects–projects that clients are paying ten [21:41] thousand dollars for. But, but [sic] he talks about, you know, that high-end but he also kind of talks about how you get to that point and as he built more sites [21:49] how he felt comfortable raising his prices. And so that is a great way to also get a little bit of a, uh, guideline [21:55] on how much you should or could, could consider charging, uh, at each stage. So [22:01] maybe we can get McKenna to drop the link to that as well.
Sam Zelitch: Yeah and our colleague Will Minter just dropped in a [22:06] blog piece about pricing your services, so a lot of good resources out there [22:11]. Um, here's a really fun question from, uh, Christy [NAME REDACTED]: can we expect some templates that have these trends, uh, and [22:19] a, uh. shoutout to you, Mikki. The Bjork template was really cool.
Mikki Janower: Thank you, um, we [22:25] can. I can't say more than that.
Sam Zelitch: Can't say more than that. All right, fair enough. Sometimes, sometimes we got to keep [22:31] things under wraps until we reveal them. Um, all right, we got a question here from [22:37] Chad [NAME REDACTED]: uh, how do you balance simple design and some of the trendy, less simple designs? [22:44] Uh thoughts on that?
Mikki Janower: Absolutely. Um, I think with any of these trends it's [22:50] important to use them on a case-by-case basis. Um, [22:56] sometimes you want it to be, sometimes you want things to be 99% invisible, and in that case [23:02] maybe some of these trends aren't right for you. And sometimes you would rather actually compromise the simplicity of [23:10] a layout in order to make it a little bit more cutting edge, and that can sort of help to position you vis à vis your [23:18] audience. In many cases, being a little bit less standard and less predictable, and asking [23:26] the audience to kind of meet you in the middle and engage with you and your content is actually a great strategy as [23:33] opposed to simplicity. Um, I think that line is all about your clients’ desired positioning and [23:40] it's important for you to discuss with them.
Sam Zelitch: Definitely, definitely. And I think as [23:46] part of the, the first client conversation, you know you can totally ask them about their positioning. You can [23:52] totally say to them, um, uh, just to use your language, Chad, you can say [23:57], um, uh, are you looking for something trendy? Are you looking for something less simple? And, uh, not to mention going [24:03] back to the pricing question, um, if something ends up being less simple and more trendy and staying on [24:09] the trends, then you can charge more for that. You can say “this is going to take me some extra custom coding.” [24:15] Um, uh, so that's, uh, something that I know the number of, uh, Circle members end up adding as part of a new package [24:23]. Um, we got one from Jenny, uh: please tell me what AR interaction or engagement you've seen recently in terms of art orgs and either app-based or websites? [24:36] Um, are you building web 3 sites yet?
Mikki Janower: Um, Arkive–a-r-k-i-v-e–[24:42] is a decentralized art platform that I've seen discussed [24:48] recently. I myself am not involved in web 3, but I'm sure if you, if you look around [24:54], you'll find some great examples.
Sam Zelitch: Yes, um, there's a lot of definitions of web 3 [25:01] I will pause it. And that there's a lot of things [sic] so definitely when you when going into web 3, uh, I would caution [25:07] anybody to do some research into what actually it means, um, and the, the various ways of describing it. [25:13] Um, let's see next we've got, uh, from Michael: we're currently trying to have good [25:20] up-to-date design at my nonprofit called [NAME REDACTED]. Oh, okay this seems like it was maybe an answer to one of the other questions. I'm going to actually [25:26] take this and I'm going to add it to the chat. Um, uh, Sarah do you want to read out, uh, [25:32] while I'll do that, Sarah do you want to read out Barbara [NAME REDACTED] question?
Sarah Greisdorf: Yeah, I'd love to. All right, Mikki. Barbara says, um, [25:39] that, uh, she would love any more examples of blocks to use for the various styles [25:44] and then how you would suggest using them.
Mikki Janower: Ooh, um, let's see how many blocks I have at [25:51] the top of my mind. I should, I should add the caveat that I'm not a product designer, um, so blocks are not actually [25:57] something that I am building, but, um, they are things that I am using. [26:03] Um, I think frankly in terms of brutalism, Fluid Engine is, is your answer. If you want [26:10] those overlapping images, you can do that with Fluid. Uh, there are little, like, bring-to-front, bring-to-back controls [26:16] you can use to decide what overlaps what and what is overlapped. [26:21] Um, in terms of blocks, I think some of the playful image masking is a great way [26:27] to lean into this sort of nostalgic old internet trend. Um, and then the shape blocks are helpful [26:35] for just funky 90s energy.
Sarah Greisdorf: Yeah, I'll add some as well. [26:40] Um, I think a lot of the background effects for sections in 7.1 could be really great for the rave theme. [26:47] Um, and something that I've loved doing recently is taking images that aren't just like a square or a circle and, and [26:54] you know, kind of making them look like a sticker, whether that's in Canva or another tool and then just exporting [27:00] them as like a PNG or the transparent background. And so when you put it on your website it ends up looking like a sticker [27:06], um, and that is super fun, I think, could be really cool for Y2K, um, as well. I know we also mentioned the [27:11] scrolling block for some of that motion, um, so yeah. Those are those are all great recommendations as well, Mikki.
Mikki Janower: That's a [27:18] great idea.
Sam Zelitch: Um, going back to this, this question of [27:24] trendy versus traditional, uh, you know using these design trends. I got a [27:29] question from Freya, uh: trends are fantastic to know, but if you're going with the trends, aren't you in turn making your brand stand out less? What do [27:38] we think about that, um [27:43]?
Mikki Janower: What I think about that is that often familiarity breeds pleasure. It's an interesting psychological phenomenon in [27:49] humans. So it, it is helpful to give people some things that they can [27:55] understand that are in conversation with their understanding of the world. It can serve as a mnemonic and it can make [28:01] people like you more. I would say it's important to balance trend and personal expression [28:07], um, and generally to be ahead of the trend cycle whenever possible; to do it before everyone else starts doing it, so [28:13] people kind of aren't bored of it yet.
Sarah Greisdorf: [sic] [28:21]I just said like [NAME REDACTED] with [REDACTED] over a year ago now, doing, uh, the [28:26] Y2K thing.
Mikki Janower: She knew. She started it.
Sam Zelitch: She's somebody who's on top [28:32] of the trends and I think that, uh, you know, we started this conversation between me and Sarah talking about music. [28:37] Musicians are people I think who, uh, have a good sense of that, um. [28:42] So we got a question from Sharon [REDACTED]: uh, these trends seem geared towards [28:49] graphics. I rely on images for my storytelling, thoughts on how best to incorporate these trends into sites rich [28:55] in imagery?
Mikki Janower: I mean there is no graphic without imagery. I think that shape masks on [29:01] image…images are a good way to sort of, like, get images into those shapes [29:07] that are trendy. Um, I think, like, a very simple, small, laid-back [29:13] caption would be very brutalist as opposed to a caption that's, like, not quite so legible. And a display typeface [29:20] would be a little more rave. Um, I think as far as [29:26] imagery goes, any of these trends can be applied to art direction, into shoot planning, just [29:32] as much as they can to site design just with props with sets with ambiance [29:40], um, with sort of a larger, a sort of, like, wide angle lens toward [29:47] any of these trends, you can carry it into the pictures you take and share.
Sam Zelitch: Right, you let it sort of [29:54], uh, sit with you for a while and then integrate it into your own brand, your [30:00] own style, your own understanding of your client’s brand and style. Um, and, uh, I, I like what you said that [30:06] they're, they're kind of in conversation with, with the stuff that you already have [30:13] Um, see next question: if you design a [30:18] site that is trendy, will it be outdated in the near future and become outdated versus something more classic and [30:26] timeless, um, what's the conversation between the classic and timeless? I mean it seems [30:32] like some of these trends are already kind of building upon what's classic and timeless. [30:37] Um, what's, what's the, the danger there? What's the risk?
Mikki Janower: Well you'll notice a lot of trends that we discussed today are [30:44] things that we're really in. in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, and have come back around. So the idea of trends being, like, purely [30:53] ephemeral is not something I subscribe to so much. But I would say [30:59] if you're looking to design something that you don't want to update, I think it's key to privilege the [31:05] timeless over the trendy and to look at something and think, “would I like this if, you know, [31:11] it wasn't all over the place right now, would I still think it was beautiful if I was the only one doing it?” And if the [31:18] answer is yes, then go for it.
Sarah Greisdorf: Nice.
Sam Zelitch: [31:23] We have, um, just one more question left. It's good because we're actually [31:29], um, just, just at the, the verge of, uh, our time together, uh, ending. Um, maybe a couple of other questions we can take and probably have time for, uh, two or three more questions. [31:42] Um, let's see the, uh, we've got someone, uh, Brad is asking, uh: [31:48] when you're working to sell templates, would you hide the fact that you're, uh, [31:54] older? He's saying, coming forth saying, that he's in his 70s and since you're [31:59] selling to much younger people, uh, some might value the lifelong design maturity, [32:04] some might not. Does the age of the seller, uh, get mixed in with the types of [32:13] trends that they're, uh, adding to their websites and talking about?
Mikki Janower: [32:19] I think honesty is the best policy, and if you want clients who appreciate your [32:25] sort of visual ethos and approach, then it's important to make sure that what [32:30] that is, is clear to them out the gate.
Sam Zelitch: I completely agree with that and, um, I, I [32:36] would even add an additional layer to the, the honesty and just the, the authenticity to your brand that I think [32:42] that, um, you know what, uh, Brad and anybody else who, uh, of any age…if you don't feel [32:48] comfortable with any of these design trends, don't use them. I think that they're there for you to just understand [32:54] what's out there, but, um, there's both a million ways to, uh, incorporate Y2K [33:02] imagery into your sites and a million ways not to do that to find other things that you're, you're doing. So, uh, I, I [33:09] completely agree with you Mikki that, um, honesty is the best policy and, [33:14] um, your ultimate goal is to present something that you feel good about and you're authentic about in your work. [33:20] Um [sic], so I would love to end with this, this question, at least the Q&A portion because we've uh, uh got just [33:27] about five minutes to wrap all this up. But, um, this question comes from Kelsey, [REDACTED], friend of the show, [33:34] um: what's a trend you hope to see in 2023 and beyond? Mikki, this is your [33:40] chance to talk about some of your other trends, some of the other things that you're thinking about and even just, uh, look into your crystal ball tell us [33:46] beyond. What's, what's going on in the future?
Mikki Janower: Well, I was hoping someone would ask. [33:52] Um, I would love to see some more analog media divesting from the screen with, like, really cross-disciplinary processes [33:59] of making. I want to see some collage. I want to see some, like, ceramics photographed. I want the shadow [34:05] that's cast to be used as a medium, and I would like to see more surrealism. I think during any time of uncertainty [34:12] designers and artists have turned to the surreal to interpret our world in a more palatable way. We're already seeing that [34:19], uh, with a lot of like strange trump blue and with a little bit of, like, funny [34:25] scale shifts. There's a great [REDACTED] thread about the rising trend of surrealism, and I'd be really [34:32] excited to see more dreamlike, reality-bending content.
Sam Zelitch: You and me both. Uh, so you know Circle [34:40] members, you were all the dreamers. Uh, thank you for all of your fantastic questions [34:46]. Um, we got to close the Q&A now, um, and start wrapping this first Circle Live up.
Sarah Greisdorf: [34:52] Awesome, um, Mikki, if people want to contact you or follow you or [34:59] the work that you're doing, where can they do that? Is that [REDACTED], where can they find [35:05] you?
Mikki Janower: That's a great question um I have a number of accounts. I would [35:10] love to talk to any of you guys on any of them, um, I would love to hear your questions and maybe to ask you some of my own. [35:18] Um, my website is, I will send you some links in the chat. My website is mikki.studio. Uh, my Twitter is my full [35:28] name Mikki Janower, m-i-k-k-i j-a-n-o-w-e-r, and my Instagram [35:34] is my first name with an underscore before it underscore m-i-i-k-k-i. [35:42] Thank you all so much for your time and thanks for having me, uh, Sam and Sarah and McKenna.
Sam Zelitch: Oh God, Mikki thank you so [35:48] much for joining us. This was a spectacular conversation. I, I hope you had fun. Did you have fun?
Mikki Janower: So much.
Sam Zelitch: So much fun. Uh, and, uh, if you [35:57] haven't had a chance to look at the chat yet, uh, there's a lot of love in there, um, a lot of, uh, names that I certainly [36:04] recognize. Um, so, so glad to see people, thank you. Uh, thank you for joining us Christy. Thank [36:10] you for joining us, uh, oh Charisse, Jen [NAME REDACTED], uh, uh Karen [NAME REDACTED], uh, Anna I've got, uh, [36:17] Shauna [NAME REDACTED], Tracy [NAME RECATED], uh, Lacey [NAME REDACTED], Jack, [36:22] um, Sara Peterman, uh, on our team, uh, Jeremy on our team, Katrin, Lauren [NAME REDACTED}. I'm [36:29] not gonna read through all these names, I promise, uh, I just wanted to get, get really excited about all the people that [36:34] are in the chat. There's just some great stuff in there and, um, uh, as, as you know, a closing note for this, this final [36:40] Circle Live, um, we are going to be doing more of these. We're hoping to do them, um, monthly, um. Well,, uh, check your email [36:46], definitely make sure that you're getting emails from us. Check the, uh, uh, definitely check the, uh, release notes, [36:53] they come out every week, and the um, uh, Circle newsletter that comes out, the new [36:59], uh, Circle events page that's on the Forum that you can look at upcoming events. We're going to be, um, we're just [37:06] got a whole lot of events that we're going to be adding in over the course of the next year. Really excited about the next year, uh, events-wise. [37:13] Um, uh, any other big announcements you want to make. Sarah?
Sarah Greisdorf: Uh, if you are in New York City, we have a [37:19] meetup at the office tomorrow, so, um, definitely check out, uh, [37:24] forum.squarespace.com/events for the link to that. Um, would love to see you. [37:29] [sic] we will see you next month at Circle Live and, uh, and one day soon date TBD at [37:38] Circle Day 2023.
Sam Zelitch: Keep designing great websites everybody! Looking forward to seeing you more. [37:44] So long.
English (auto-generated)
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional web designers, developers, digital entrepreneurs, and creatives. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
