Designing that Web 2.0 look

It seems like Web 2.0 is hot but a lot of designers aren't familiar with the architecture. However I'm beginning to see more and more sites designed with the 2.0 look without the 2.0 functionality. What is it about these designs and logos that give the user that feeling of cutting edge 2.0 goodness? Any designers care to shed the light?

 

Here is a pretty cool tutorial..

http://www.photoshoplab.com/web20-design-kit.html

The web 2.0 look is clean, easy to see and has great usability.

 

Rounded corners are becoming a bit of a cliche, but still look cool IMO. Run a search on Google for "rounded corners" and find plenty of tutorials.

T

 

Thanks for the link, that's a nice one.

Yeah that's one thing I've noticed, round corners and simple colors with light gradients. I wonder how long this web 2.0 design trend will last.

 

if u want some web2.0 inspiration, try

cssbeauty .com
cssimport .com
inspirationking .com

 

Web 2.0 sites typically have larger text too.

Here's some stuff on rounded corners:
Sitepoint: Javascript/CSS solution
Bullet Proof CSS solution

Also FontShop did a thing on Web 2.0 logos
And this guy wrote a post on Web 2.0 Colors.

Hope that helps!
ian

 

If you want to get a good W2.0 look, simply use TONNES of CSS and use very little Photoshop. Except maybe for designing logos and those cool little icons, and maybe rounded edges for content boxes.

 

Some of the best 2.0 designs I've seen are Rezzibo.com and some parts of Leihu.com

 

Did you mean "tons of css"? TONNES of CSS isn't some kind of program or script right? Because I didn't find anything for those terms in Google.

 

Those are some awesome links, we should get a list of web 2.0 design guideline links together.

 

I think that the art of rounded corners is a good design ploy.
We use rounded corners on our images to make them 'different' I guess but the bottom line is going to be personal taste in my opinion.

Andrew

 

I'm Canadian eh?

 

lots of white space

gradients

pastel colors

big slight off black text

vector art

a big sticker on you forehead that says "i'm a trend follower"

 

Thanks for the link I didn't know that it exists

 

are there any examples of a dark web2.0 look? Judging by the replies above, the consesus is a white/light background. Any input?

 

well, you can always invert color with Photoshop lool

 

Ah theres some nice links here, I have been wondering how you make those gradient star shapes in photoshop, didnt know it was so easy!

 

i LOOOOVVVEEE the simplicity of web2.0. I tried to get my supervisors to see things my way but they still want intrusive 100% banners and what not. I have used a little web2.0 and they haven't noticed it yet :wink:

 

Dude dont worry about web 2.0,, lets look for web 3.0
thanks

 

Anyone who thinks Web2.0 has anything to do with design is a rank amateur.