Recently many websites took a new turn in their design and adopted Neo brutalism, a rising design trend gaining popularity, particularly in the year 2023. In the UI UX design world, it is a contemporary trend that finds its roots in the architectural style of Brutalim. It brings a fresh and innovative perspective, pushing the boundaries of traditional design norms. The trend follows an unorthodox approach which sets this design apart from the usual flat designs we see everyday. And the best part is, it offers more than just colors and looks.

Looking ahead, in this article we will explore how Neo Brutalism has limitless potential for further experimentation and evolution!

The Origins of Neo Brutalism

The architectural style known as Brutalism takes its name from the French word “brut,” which translates to “raw” or “uncultivated.” It emerged in the middle of the twentieth century and gained significant popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Brutalism’s appeal lies in its emphasis on rawness, with exposed concrete surfaces and a utilitarian focus. This style challenged conventional design norms, opting for a more straightforward and honest approach.

The world of Neo Brutalism is inspired by Brutalistic design from the 1950s. From mobile app design to web design, Neo Brutalism brings a distinctive and memorable visual language. It also considers accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusivity is also a priority in the UI UX design process.

Influence from Brutalist Architecture

Brutalist architecture, born in the mid-20th century, serves as the primary influence for Neo Brutalism in UI design. The raw, rough aesthetics, bold typography choices, and emphasis on functionality inspires and influences user experience designers to translate these elements into digital interfaces.This helps in bringing a positive impact on the user experience.

Resurgence in Digital Design

In the world of design, there are times when surprising comebacks lead to remarkable innovations. Neo Brutalism is a perfect example of this! Its resurgence offers a fresh and innovative perspective for designers. It revives the spirit of Brutalism with a modern twist and captivates audiences with its distinctive looks that can create a profound impact in the digital world.

Key Elements of Neo Brutalism in UI Design

This big powerful term “Neo Brutalism” is characterized by several key elements that contribute to its distinct visual language. Here’s the list.

Asymmetric geometric shapes

Neo Brutalist UI design often embraces asymmetry and irregularity in its use of geometric shapes. This departure from traditional grid-based layouts creates a sense of dynamism and visual interest. Asymmetric shapes are used for buttons, backgrounds, and various UI elements, providing a bold and unconventional look.

Colors

Image Courtesy – Colorswall

Neo Brutalist UI design tends to favor bold and vibrant colors, often with high contrast combinations. These colors can evoke a sense of intensity and directness, grabbing users’ attention. Neon hues, bright primaries, or contrasting color palettes are commonly used in Neo Brutalist designs, emphasizing the rebellious and daring nature of the style.

Typography

Image Courtesy – Typewolf

Typography plays a crucial role in Neo Brutalist UI design. It often features large, bold, and impactful typefaces that demand attention. Thick and chunky fonts with strong geometric shapes are commonly used. There’s no room for subtlety here, the typography stands raw and unrefined, perfectly aligning with the overall brutalist aesthetic.

Separators

Separators are used to create visual divisions between different sections or content blocks. These separators are often thick lines or bold shapes that break up the screen space, emphasizing the individuality of each section. The separators can be intentionally rough and unpolished, adding to the overall raw and rugged feel of the design.

Shadows

In traditional design, soft shadows have been the norm, but in this particular case, we’re exploring a different approach. These shadows exhibit full color, lack blurring, and are positioned on both the x and y axes. When applied thoughtfully, they elevate buttons, cards, and other elements, offering a distinctive visual impact in UI design. No unnecessary frills, just a powerful & modern touch to enhance the overall user experience.

The Impact of Neo Brutalism on User Experience

As users’ preferences change every six to seven years, it’s essential for website designs to stay fresh and relevant. Neo Brutalism inculcates high contrast and potential in balancing the current design styles and leaves a lasting impression on users. What’s important here is neo brutalism gives a positive impact to the user. With the help of bold visuals it grabs attention, while the asymmetry, vibrant colors, and unique typography enhance usability by guiding users’ eyes and organizing information effectively.

But wait! It’s worth noting that Neo Brutalism isn’t for everyone. Some people absolutely love its distinctiveness, while others may find it too intense. Designers and UX UI design company must strike a delicate balance, ensuring the aesthetic appeal doesn’t compromise functionality. By considering both the visual impact and user needs, Neo Brutalism can deliver an engaging and enjoyable experience for all.

Neo Brutalism in Mobile App Design

Image Courtesy – FigChallenge application

Incorporating Neo Brutalism into mobile app design offers a transformative and counterintuitive approach to users. The raw and unrefined elements of Neo Brutalism can be integrated into mobile interfaces through the use of rough textures, asymmetrical layouts, and stark typography. For example, a mobile app might feature a combination of bold, blocky fonts with high contrast color schemes to create a visually striking impact. With this, intuitive navigation and clear functionality must not be sacrificed. Websites like CRED, Gumroads and many other fintech apps have started incorporating elements or revamping their design with neo-brutalism.

These real-life applications demonstrate how Neo Brutalism in mobile design has the potential to captivate users and make a lasting impact in the digital landscape.

Implementing Neo Brutalism in Web Design

 

Image Courtesy – Behance

Before implementing Neo Brutalism in web design, it’s essential to consider its target audience and potential benefits.

This design approach tends to thrive in startups and tech companies that aim to convey innovation and cutting-edge technology. By adopting Neo Brutalism, products can capture people’s attention with their distinct and unconventional appearance. Neo Brutalism can be a valuable addition to certain websites, providing a subtle touch that sets them apart from similar sites and helps them stand out.

It can be particularly advantageous for creative portfolios, catering to individuals in fields like design, photography, and art.

Now coming towards “how to implement”. Neo Brutalism in web design comes with a captivating blend of raw aesthetics & minimalist principles. Design agency can draw inspiration from the architectural movement of the 1950s. This approach embraces bold, blocky structures & a no-frills attitude. When crafting a website with Neo Brutalism, designers opt for asymmetrical layouts, monochromatic color schemes, and large, striking typography. For instance, picture a personal portfolio website that uses oversized fonts, harsh geometric shapes, and a limited color palette, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
Neo Brutalism and Accessibility

While Neo Brutalism in web design can be visually striking, its accessibility should always be the priority. Asymmetrical layouts and minimalistic interfaces may present challenges for users with certain disabilities. To ensure inclusivity, designers can implement alternative text for images, use contrasting colors for readability, and test the site with screen readers. It will not compromise the optimisation score and maintain the accessibility for the user experience.

For Instance, a Neo Brutalist e-commerce site includes clear labels, making navigation easier for all users, regardless of their abilities. Striking a balance between aesthetics and accessibility is crucial to embrace the artistic nature of Neo Brutalism while providing an inclusive user experience.

Pushing the Boundaries: Future of Neo Brutalism in UI Design

Since Neo Brutalism is in the trending list of the design world, its evolution and future directions become increasingly intriguing. Designers are leading the way in experimenting with the combination of elements of Neo Brutalism with other styles. Like, integrating brutalist typography with subtle animations or gradients. The future of Neo Brutalism could also see advancements in user interactions, such as incorporating voice commands or haptic feedback for enhanced engagement.

For instance, a Neo Brutalist mobile app might leverage voice-activated controls for a truly immersive and futuristic experience. Moreover, as technology evolves, designers might find innovative ways to integrate augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) into Neo Brutalist interfaces, pushing the boundaries of user interface design even further.

FAQs→

Q: What is Neo-Brutalism UI design?

A: Neo-Brutalism UI design is a modern approach influenced by Brutalist architecture. It features raw and minimalistic aesthetics with geometric shapes, bold colors, and a focus on functionality.

Q: What is Neomorphism UI design?

A: Neomorphism UI design combines elements of skeuomorphism and flat design. It creates a soft and semi-realistic visual style, mimicking physical objects through subtle shadows, gradients, and highlights.

Q: What are the components of Neo-Brutalism?

A: The components of neo-Brutalism include geometric shapes, bold colors, minimalistic typography, and a raw aesthetic. It emphasizes simplicity, legibility, and functionality in design.

Q: What is the difference between Brutalism and Neo-Brutalism?

A: Brutalism originated as an architectural movement in the mid-20th century, while neo-Brutalism is a more recent design trend applied to various disciplines, including UI design. Neo-Brutalism allows for more creativity and incorporates contemporary elements alongside Brutalist principles.