18 website examples to keep up with design trends

Find web design inspiration with these examples of minimalist, monochromatic, retro, dark theme, and brutalist websites.

As we started looking for inspiration to revamp our own website recently, we quickly realized that reading about web design trends is not enough. Instead, the best way to genuinely understand how to embrace UI/UX styles, share your ideas with your team and create a powerful moodboard, is to browse examples and see how different styles apply to real life brands.

This is why we started collecting the best examples for every major web design trends of 2022: minimalism, monochromatic, kinetic typography, retro, dark theme, and neubrutalism.

In this post, we share our team’s all-time favourites, in order to help you decide which direction to take with your next project.

Examples of minimalist design

Minimalism is about making an impact by showing only what’s relevant. It aims at building simpler interfaces that will feel easier to interact with and understand.

Common characteristics of minimalist websites include:

• Flat patterns
• Limited colour palettes
• White space
• Short copy
• Emphasis on typography

Buro Jantzen

This Copenhagen-based photography and videography studio created a portfolio website in March 2022, inspired by analog photo portfolios.

Favorit Studio

Published in February 2022, this agency portfolio site is a perfect example of minimal design. It showcases full screen images, subtle animations and a ton of negative space.

Decor Systems

This Australian supplier of panelling systems launched their new website in February 2022, featuring beautiful 3D models and an elegant navigation system.

Examples of monochromatic websites

From Greek “monos” (single) and khrōma (colour), monochrome describes a visual that uses a single colour or varying tones of a single colour. In other words, monochromatic websites are built around one colour to which designers add either black or white.

Argor-Heareus

As the world’s largest provider of precious metals, Argor-Heareus published this gold inspired website in February 2022.

Diabla

Diabla’s online catalog, which was published in March 2022, offers a real immersion in the brand’s creative universe and distinct colour palette.

Compassion Australia

This storytelling website showcases the impact of the philanthropic organization and its Child Sponsorship Program.

Examples of websites with kinetic typography

Kinetic typography describes any form of animation applied to text. It’s a powerful and creative way to get visitors to focus on your primary copy.

Mill3

This Montreal digital agency launched their new website in March 2022, showcasing their own motion graphics skills.

Studio Dumbar

Studio Dumbar is a web design agency located in Rotterdam. Their new portfolio website shows how typography can be a primary aspect of visual branding.

Jack Jaeschke

Jack Jaeschke is a motion designer specialized in kinetic typography. He published his new portfolio website in March 2022, showcasing captivating transitions, illustrations and of course, typography.

Examples of retro websites

Retro web design is bringing back fun gimmicks from the 90s. It creates a sense of nostalgia and familiarity with viewers.

Common characteristics of minimalist websites include:

• Bright colours
• Visible grids
• Custom cursors
• Excentric typography

Vintageria

Everything is in the name. Vintageria specializes in ’80s and ’90s clothing, and their new website reflects that retro aesthetics particularly well.

Oh Happy Days

Days by Christou 1910 is a line of 90’s themed insoles. Their new ecommerce website, published in March 2022 showcases fun animations, bright colours and fun custom cursors.

The Nifty Portal

The Nifty Portal is an NFT art piece that serves as membership access to a community of NFT creators and collectors.

Examples of dark-themed websites

Elegant, easier on the eye: light-on-dark design has grown widely popular over the last few years.

Although it works particularly well for SaaS products that you look at for long periods, it needs to be balanced with great imagery and bright colour palettes when applied to websites or apps.

DJI

DJI’s dark-themed website, published in March 2022, offers an immersive experience where product imagery is king.

Studio 9P

With its playful animations and bright colours, Studio 9P’s new portfolio website is a great example of dark theme done right: easy on the eyes, but never boring.

Stocksy

Stocksy’s dark UI is the perfect canvas for their beautiful photos. Just another way this co-op stock image company pays tribute to their network of artists.

Examples of neubrutalist websites

Neubrutalism is web designers’ response to dominant minimalism. It breaks many classic design rules, especially when it comes to colour contrast, but it’s often an effective way to catch user attention and make your website memorable.

Common characteristics of minimalist websites include:

• Hard shadows
• Clashing colours
• Geometric forms

Gumroad

As the leading ecommerce platform for digital creators, Gumroad wanted their website to stand out. And their neubrutalist website does the job perfectly.

Roze Bunker

With their website, this syrup company wanted to adopt a web design style that would convey energy and creativity, just like their product.

The Great Lake Michigan

This website, entirely dedicated to fun facts about Lake Michigan, was published in April 2021. Its neubrutalist style characterized by clashing colours and forms makes it a true Midwest design gem.

Feel free to reach out with your projects or your favourite examples to help us complete the list!