Table Of Content
(Neo)Brutalism #
Why I’m Drawn to Brutalist Web Design #
Brutalist web design has always fascinated me for its raw and unapologetic aesthetic. Much like its architectural counterpart, brutalism in web design strips away the polished layers of modern design trends and focuses instead on functionality and honesty. There's something refreshing about a site that doesn’t hide behind gradients, soft shadows, or overly smooth animations. Instead, it presents itself with bold typography, stark contrasts, and an almost jarring straightforwardness.
For me, the appeal lies in how brutalist design challenges our expectations of the web. It invites users to engage with content directly—without distraction—and often carries a playful or experimental edge. The aesthetic isn't about being crude for its own sake; it’s about rejecting unnecessary embellishments and embracing a kind of digital honesty.
I also love how brutalism opens up creative possibilities. When you’re not bound by conventional design rules, you have the freedom to try unconventional layouts, bold color schemes, and unique interactions. It’s an aesthetic playground that encourages exploration and offers a kind of authenticity that’s rare in a world where many websites look and feel the same.
Ultimately, brutalist web design is about embracing imperfection and valuing substance over style. It aligns perfectly with my interest in minimal computing and the #minicomp movement—both prioritize function, sustainability, and a bit of rebellion against the status quo.
Embracing Neo-Brutalism #
I've been experimenting with design frameworks lately, and I'm excited to share an 11ty web starter, which uses the NeoBrutalismCSS framework by Matias Fandiño. NeoBrutalismCSS is all about embracing the raw and unapologetic aesthetics of neo-brutalism in web design. It offers a minimalist approach, applying fundamental styles based on HTML semantics without the clutter of endless class names and complex configurations.
What I love most about NeoBrutalismCSS is how it pairs simplicity with boldness. The design language is straightforward---there are no hidden tricks or unnecessary flourishes. Instead, it focuses on creating a visually striking and highly functional web experience. The framework's minimalist approach aligns perfectly with the #minicomp philosophy I'm so passionate about, emphasizing minimal design, minimal maintenance, and minimal obsolescence.
If you're curious, you can check out the 11ty NeoBrutalismCSS demo and explore the GitHub repository. I hope this new starter inspires others to experiment with neo-brutalist aesthetics and build websites that are as bold as they are simple.
Classic Brutalism #
Going back to basics here is an 11ty web starter using the Tiny Brutalism CSS framework. This minimalist framework is all about bold, monochrome colors, hard edges, and those iconic prominent drop shadows. At under 4KB, Tiny Brutalism CSS lives up to its name---tiny, fast, and to the point.
What I love most about this framework is how it strips design down to the essentials. There's a kind of honesty in the starkness of brutalism that challenges the polished, overproduced aesthetics we see everywhere online. Plus, the simplicity of Tiny Brutalism CSS aligns perfectly with my passion for minimal computing---focusing on minimal design, minimal maintenance, and minimal obsolescence.
If you'd like to see it in action, check out the 11ty Brutalism Theme demo here and explore the GitHub repository. I hope this starter inspires others to experiment with bold, minimalistic web design and embrace the power of simplicity.