I’m starting to see this design all over the web. No, not this exact design, but something really similar. The idea is the same: use Helvetica, put in a baseline grid, and keep the widgets and the site flair to a minimum. I’m starting to see this ‘unique’ idea everywhere.

Nothing about [the design] is earth–shatteringly awesome or outlandishly pretentious. I’m just wondering, why now? It isn’t like minimalism is a new thing, or that gimmicky design ideas aren’t popping up all the time. It’s just…why my idea?

It’s not like I could, or would, claim sole possession of such an idea. I think the similarity has more to do with the wisdom of crowds than the originality of a bass guitar player. Stopping before it gets too cluttered is the only explanation I’ve found to explain why any other site would look like…well…this.

My seething jealousy led me to try to out–minimal JDueck.Net, and I ended up with this here thing. Not nearly minimalist enough for my taste, but kinda simple, right? There’s nothing that says “I spent 400 man–hours designing this site” than Helvetica and a baseline grid.

Right?

Note 1: I am not a designer. I do not claim to be, nor do I wish to be. My art form is music, and I’ll woo the ladies with my guitar and my song, not by the presentation of my content.

Note 2: If I see one more minimalism showcase site, it’s blog flair for everybody! I went with simple for a reason: nobody else was doing it. If everybody else is doing this, then I’m gonna get some other idea to ape.

Note 3: While I am not a designer, I am no amateur arrogant design poseur. After working with Cascading Style Sheets since 2002, I’ve become a very skilled arrogant design poseur, thank you very much and good day, sir!

status: published
lastmod: '2008-12-18T12:10:09.000Z'
excerpt: There is nothing that says “I spent 400 man–hours designing this site” than Helvetica and a baseline grid.
author: meadowhill login
cms: textpattern
custom:
  section: articles
  custom_1: helvetica baseline+grid css design websobs