# 1996 Web Aesthetics Old Skool Design Hot Again By Victoria Tremlin | Published 2008-01-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/web-design-trend-new-old-skool References: [idonline](http://www.idonline.com/features/feature.asp?id=1631) & [idonline](http://www.idonline.com/features/feature.asp?id=1631) As a backlash to the ultra sleek, sophistication of corporate web pages, young creative web designers are returning to a more [primitive web era](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gpt-2000). The [1996 aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/class-1800-mechanical-keyboard) are popping up on art, photography, fashion and music sites. Good examples can be found at : [www.maiuk.com](http://www.maiuk.com) [www.bad.bornbrightdesigns.com](http://www.bad.bornbrightdesigns.com) [www.paperrad.org](http://www.paperrad.org) [www.stilettonyc.com](http://www.stilettonyc.com) [www.ksubi.com](http://www.ksubi.com) **Implications** - When it comes to the digital age, retro styles don't come from that far back. With the rate that web design has developed over the short time frame that it's been around, even a couple of years reveals huge differences in aesthetics. By bringing back styles from just over a decade ago, websites are able to jump on board the [retro-revival train](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-play) that other industries are riding. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 1% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Retro Web Design:** The return of 1996 web aesthetics offers opportunities for companies to differentiate their digital branding by going back to basics. - **Backlash Against Ultra-sleek Web Design:** Young, creative web designers are rejecting corporate styling and looking for ways to infuse their designs with a more authentic feel and personality. - **Retro-revival in Web Design:** Incorporating past web design trends into current website styles offers a unique way to connect with audiences and drive engagement. ### Where This Applies - **Web Design and Development:** The web design industry can capitalize on the return of retro web design by offering design services that incorporate more primitive web aesthetics. - **Fashion and Clothing:** Clothing companies can broaden their brand identities by incorporating retro web aesthetics to appeal to nostalgic consumers. - **Music and Entertainment:** Music and entertainment companies can use retro web design to stand out and differentiate themselves, while driving engagement and building brand loyalty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Celebratory Colorful Synth Websites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimoog-model-d-synth.md) - [Creative Experiment Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worldsworstwebsitelol.md) - [Throwback Grocery Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-like-its-99.md) - [Retro Music Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-play.md) - [Refreshed Expressive Fashion Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheap-monday-relaunch.md) - [Y2K Lip Gloss Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lancome-juicy-kissing-web.md) - [Retro AI Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gpt-2000.md) - [Curated Website Inspiration](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/browsing-mode.md) - [Visual Inspiration Searches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/braindead-search.md)