Let's see together how the interfaces ofone of the most famous sites in the world has metamorphosed in 26 years. Apple is well known in the world of Web design. It is a real model that serves Of inspiration to numerous designers. However, if you look at the first versions of the site, you realize that web design trends have evolved over the years.
Indeed, what you see on Apple's site today did not come from nowhere. The Web design is in perfect harmony with all brand image strategy developed since the creation of the company. Whether it's this taste for innovation and R&D or even the simplicity and minimalist design that characterizes the brand.
Its baseline “Think different” also reflects the desire to stand out from its competitors by offering a new experience. It is in any case what the Apple website wants to make it shine through.
Apple's very first interfaces are a long way from the current site. At that time, navigators were not as developed and the web had not yet really been democratized. That is why we find classic design, which is inspired by the design of the applications of the time (and in particular the video games of the time).
We will have to wait until 1997, the year of Democratization of the Internet, to be able to see what many consider “the first web interface in the history of Apple”. Again, the design was not transcendent, know that it represented a lot for the time: A navigation on the side, lines to separate the different blocks, simple CSS (style) but present, Lots of shadows on elements and texts (which will disappear over the years).
Steve Jobs will even go as far as Focus on the image, by giving an XXL overview of the product of the moment (and that right from the home page). A revolutionary idea that Apple will keep until today. It should be noted that the fonts and fonts used at that time have evolved well, it is no longer a question of using Serif fonts for simple text.
It was also during this period that major products such as The iPhone or The Imac see the light of day. And it must be said that the firm's commercial website was up to the task! We will notice more impact with Exaggerated texts, fairer copywriting, sometimes of the color and above all... A new navigation with two floors: discreet, refined, very well designed.
Even though there are still a lot of shadows, lines, and superfluous details, Apple has taken a big leap forward. All these elements will gradually disappear to make way in 2007 (when the iPhone was released) for a more simple interface, which Arouses the emotion of the viewer, highlighting the image even more.
Indeed, the visuals of Iphone and iPad are more and more original and take up more and more space on the Apple site. This is intended to reinforce the emotions of the viewer. It was also during this period that Apple would use its slogan “Shot on iPhone 6” to highlight the camera quality of their products. Ce Marketing slogan will be preserved until the present day.
It is good to note that we have completely forgotten the serif, to make way for more typefaces. simple, modern. At this period, Apple is fighting against the “big” the “heavy”, they want to create products that are still lighter, thinner .. This is what we observe on their site, sometimes with profile shots that allow us to highlight the minimalism used by their design teams.
It was during this period that Apple evolved its navigation, even simpler, without any details, sometimes with A slight blur in the background which will be taken up by numerous designers. Apple will also create the famous Dark fashion trend, by developing some pages on an entirely black background. As for the logo, it is monochrome, no more gradients or personalization, let's make way for absolute simplicity. It will also launch the idea of a section on a slightly gray background (which are no longer delimited by gray lines) with the launch of their latest Iphones.
As many trends that we find on websites nowadays.
Because yes, Apple screens already used a lot of photographs. However, it was from the 2020s that Apple used abstract background, highlighted with Motion Design. This web animation technique makes it possible to make the user experience even better. Immersive, creating a scene from any room with which the user can interact.
The Copywriting has also evolved. As the development of some brands became stronger and stronger, Apple was forced to redouble its efforts by adding more colors, more The wow effect, even more accurate words (here are A few tips to get the wow effect thanks to Webflow)
Today Apple is having fun creating worlds for its various products. Sometimes with a gradient, sometimes by highlighting the photo.. Some worlds also use other more modern elements such as 3D.
The evolution of the Apple company website has shed a lot of ink in recent years. You should know that the novelties produced by the firm are followed by numerous Product designer who do not hesitate to be inspired by their production. This is what makes the company powerful: To be a model in this field. The Elias team recently investigated by analyzing The 5 main reasons What makes this site so amazing
In this way, we can observe the evolution of many other sites such as google, or netflix that tend towards these same rules:
Because yes, as Apple shows, trends are changing quickly and it's important to always stay up to date. Luckily, a redesign doesn't mean throwing away everything you already have about your brand in the trash. It should not be confused.”redraft“(the fact of updating your site) with”rebranding“(thoroughly review its positioning and brand strategy) the latter may for example require changing the colours, your noun or even your logo (look at the biggest rebranding examples from 2021).
Be reassured, This is not the case with a redesign.
This will only require the intervention of a UX designer for the contents and the structure, of a UI designer for the visual aspect, of a web integrator. We advise you to go through an agency for this type of project (here are our processes for creating a site)
When it comes to technology, you have choices. Feel free to use Webflow if you want to create a showcase site as extraordinary as Apple.com. We created for the occasion a Webflow vs Wordpress comparison.
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