Organic Web design is becoming more common across the Web as designers begin to incorporate natural elements into their design motifs. Trees, landscapes, fabrics, and even urban environments are taking center stage in many websites, giving them a more textured, visceral feel. Web Designer Depot recently explored this trend to determine what makes up a successful organic design. In addition to defining what makes a design organic, they also laid out some fundamental elements and suggestions for incorporating organic principles into your own design.
Notice the wooden background and the animated insects giving the natural feel.
One of the first ingredients they found necessary for a successful organic design was a color palette of neutral tones that work well together, like burnt orange, grays, and purples with olive undertones. You can use these colors as often as you want without overwhelming your website design. In some instances, you can even use bright vibrant colors like fire-truck red. Vibrant colors can be organic too. You can find some amazing colors in vintage images and natural patterns that can provide your website the look and feel that you want projected. However, keep in mind that you also need some balance to bring all of your website’s aspects together to create an amazing organic look and feel.
Keep the balance of your website stable just like the environment. When you use earth tones, like grays, it is important to add vibrant color that will catch the eye. If you decide to create a vibrant background that pops out like wood, balance it with a simple table that is flat and large. In addition, it is important to note that you can have too much of a good thing, and sometimes using fewer elements or colors can achieve the look that you are seeking.
Having an organic design does not mean you have to abandon the modern look. Using concretes is very acceptable, and softening a modern design does not require much. You can soften your modern look with subtle changes like adding a simple curl graphic.
Creating an organic design does not have to be difficult. Just remember that keeping it simple can often do more for your website design than picking every odd item and graphic you think matches an organic look. Keep an open mind when shooting for an organic website design, and remember that anything can be organic, even urban areas. It’s all about bringing the details of the physical world into the virtual space.
