Website design has come a long way since the early days of the internet when websites were simple and static.

As technology advanced, so did the ways designers approach their work.

But is website design considered art?
Well, some argue that websites are interactive act pieces, while others see them as simply functional tools.

If you’re looking to find an answer to this question, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explore the arguments for and against website design as art and consider how it has evolved over the years.

Let’s dig right into it.

Defining Website Design and Art

First, let's define what we mean by "art."
Now, art is generally understood as a form of expression that creates an emotional or aesthetic response in the viewer. It is often associated with subjective interpretation and can be appreciated for its beauty or creativity.

On the other hand, website design involves creating the visual layout, user interface, and overall aesthetic of a website. It includes selecting colors, fonts, images, and other visual elements that enhance the user experience and convey the website's message.

Arguments in Favor of Website Design Perceived as Art
According to a study conducted by Adobe, 38% of users will stop engaging with a website if its content and design are unattractive.

This means there are people out there who believe that website design is very much about art and prioritizing aesthetics.

This belief stems, in part, from the fact that website designers draw inspiration from art and design movements when creating their work. For example, many websites draw inspiration from modern art movements, such as cubism and surrealism.

One example is the website for the Centre Pompidou, a modern art museum in Paris, which incorporates the geometric shapes and bold colors characteristic of cubist art.
Then, some websites incorporate traditional art elements, such as hand-drawn illustrations or paintings. Dropbox’s website is a perfect example of this.

Website design can be seen as art because designers utilize artistic elements in their work, such as color, typography, and composition. They use colors to evoke emotions and create a particular atmosphere on a website.

So, for example, a website that uses warm colors like red, orange, and yellow will often reflect excitement, energy, and happiness. This is why these colors are often used in the entertainment and sports industries.

Finally, some people even see websites as interactive art pieces where the user experience is carefully crafted to evoke emotions and create a certain atmosphere.
On some websites, users are allowed and even encouraged to manipulate images and shapes to create unique designs, consequently resulting in an enhanced user experience.

Arguments Against Website Design Being All About Art
While website design certainly involves creativity and aesthetics, some argue that it is not solely about the art.

Website design also has a functional aspect that requires a scientific approach, and this is supported by a study done by Stanford University, where it was found that 46.1% of participants rated a website's credibility based on its visual design.

This underscores the fact that website design is not just about art but also about conveying trust and credibility to users. In other words, while the use of colors and fonts can help convey the brand's personality and message, they should not be used at the expense of readability and usability.

So, what does this mean in practice?
Well, when we say that the design of a website must consider user behavior and usability principles, we mean that the website design needs to be simple, consistent, and accessible.

Why?
Primarily to ensure that visitors can navigate the site easily and find the information they need quickly.

The design of a website must also involve technical considerations such as:

● Website speed: Slow-loading pages can frustrate users, causing them to leave the site, and they can negatively affect its search engine rankings.

● Mobile responsiveness: A considerable number of users access websites on their mobile devices, so a website needs to be optimized for smaller screens to be easy to navigate and provide a good user experience.

● Search engine optimization: A well-optimized website is more likely to appear higher in the SERPs, leading to increased traffic and credibility.

In conclusion, while art may inspire web design, it cannot be the sole focus of the design process. This is because websites have specific purposes that art does not.

Website Design as a Combination of Art and Science
Contrary to those who argue that website design is either about art or science, there is a third—and a more likely—option. Amazing website design is often seen as a combination of both, and this particularly stands true for eCommerce websites.

On the one hand, the aesthetic aspect of website design is certainly important in creating an emotional connection with visitors and making the site visually appealing. So, the use of artistic features such as color, typography, imagery, and layout serves the purpose of attracting and retaining visitors.

At the same time, website design also has a scientific aspect that requires a methodical approach. What we mean by this is that website design also has a functional aspect that ensures that the site performs well and is easily found by search engines.

Ultimately, we could say that designing a website requires designers to be both artists and scientists. They need to find a way to balance creativity with practicality.

If you're looking to design an eCommerce website that is both functional and visually attractive, consider hiring an eCommerce web design company.

Conclusion
The debate over whether website design is about art or science is a complex and multifaceted one.

While some argue that websites are simply functional tools, others maintain that they can be seen as interactive art pieces.

Ultimately, the best website design strikes a balance between creativity and usability, creating a visually stunning website that is also easy to use.

And whether you see website design as art or not, there is no denying that it is a constantly evolving discipline that will continue to adapt as technology and user behavior change.