In the past, web design platforms offered extensive creative freedom, allowing users to build unique websites with limited resources. Back in the 90s, tools like FrontPage enabled users to create personalized sites with vibrant graphics, gradients, and Comic Sans. These early web pages, though often cluttered with irrelevant information and excessive design elements, showcased a distinct sense of individuality.
Today, most websites rely on standardized templates, resulting in a uniform look across the internet. While these templates offer ease of use, they constrain creativity and originality. The experimental spirit of early web design, where users had complete control over their site’s layout and content, has largely been replaced by uniform, template-driven designs.
Could the more unrestricted design opportunities of the past have allowed for greater creative expression than today's template-driven approach?
Rewritten from my 2015 article