As you might imagine, from a city that has influenced the world of technology so much, San Francisco has had a significant impact on how modern web design is treated. You can see this in almost all aspects of design (particularly when related to technology), where the major players will develop a new design language that gets implemented into their website or other forms of marketing activity, which then pretty rapidly gets adopted by almost everyone else within the industry. In this post, we are taking a look at the current design landscape and how those interested in replicating this style can do so.
Introduction To San Francisco’s Design Landscape
If you are really interested in generating website designs based on the overall milieu of San Francisco, your first step is, of course, going to be to take some time to get to grips with the design landscape of this city. Now, for most cities, this isn’t such an easy task, as there is generally a multitude of different facets based on the various areas. However, for a city like Fricso, you will find that although the town began life rather humbly (as a port due to its desirable location), it’s now a technology powerhouse, bringing all the modernity you might imagine. The thing that sets this place apart from others is the blending of these historical components with the latest in fashion and aesthetic style.
You can walk through boulevards that hark back to the early 1900s and then find yourself in a sudden change of scenery that encompasses everything modern. That, for many, might seem jarring to some, but it absolutely gives San Francisco its famous charm. So, what does this varying assortment of styles mean for web design? Well, according to the Ramotion team, a San Francisco-based branding agency, it can mean figuring out ways to incorporate the innovative spirit that has made the city what it is today, with unique angles that genuinely represent whatever message the brand is trying to get across. This is often not as straightforward as it seems, but with the correct understanding of the business, website, and message, it’s possible to blend everything together in such a way as to create a memorable brand that can be utilized throughout the company’s assets, including its online presence.
Importance Of Local Culture In Web Design
If you’re a local business targeting local people or are proud to show where your origins lie, you will want to incorporate as much of the local culture as possible into your online assets. In practice, this can mean many things, but in general, you will need to look at the color palette most commonly used, whether the place tries to hark back to its beginnings or if it is more likely to embrace the future and the various different cultures that inhabit the area. When it comes to the City by the Bay, you certainly aren’t lacking in ideas. When looking at San Francisco in particular, you can take inspiration from the cultural diversity that abounds and try to figure out how you might blend this into the overall design.
Failing that, you can lean on the artistic side of the city, which is world-renowned. The best way of doing this is by spending some time visiting the myriad of museums, galleries, theatres, and even restaurants that showcase everything good about the place. If you’re prepared to straddle the line between the normal and the edgy, you could even look into whether it’s possible to add in certain aspects of the city’s activism. On the other hand, if you’re not looking to rock the boat and want your website to appeal to as many people as possible while annoying as few as possible, you might instead opt to develop a design style that incorporates the architectural elements, including the colors and materials used to build them.
Key Elements Of San Francisco Aesthetics
When we think about this city these days, it’s probably fair to say that most folks will have an image of a tech hub and incubator that is home to many of the world’s largest technology companies, as well as many fledgling ones that are likely to break out into the world very soon.
This isn’t an unfair description, but it does away with the historical component, which is still very much alive in the architecture and history from the indigenous natives to the Spanish and finally onto the current modern America.
- Architectural eclecticism: San Francisco is renowned for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, featuring ornate details and vibrant colors, exemplified by the Painted Ladies. The 1906 earthquake prompted resilient, reconstructive designs, visible in landmarks like City Hall. Modern skyscrapers of glass and steel reflect the city’s technological innovation, while contemporary designs emphasize sustainability. Additionally, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and Art Deco influences with bold geometric lines contribute to San Francisco’s diverse architectural landscape. All of this means that you end up with a very unique aesthetic that you can dip into to pick out the parts you think work best with your brand and eschew those that don’t.
- Natural landscape integration: The proximity to the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean creates breathtaking views and areas to deeply connect with the water that, in many ways, was the main reason for this city’s burgeoning current state. Large urban parks, like Golden Gate Park, offer refreshing green spaces, contrasting with the city’s built environment and adding to its visual charm. You also have the coastline that waxes and wanes from a Spartan sort of desolation to vibrant, thriving places of fun and joy.
- Cultural influences: From the Spanish invasion to the gold rush to what can only be described as one of the planet’s most culturally diverse areas, San Francisco has a je ne sais quoi that is difficult to match outside of perhaps only places like London, Paris, and New York. The city’s history of counter-culture and artistic movements has fostered a sense of individuality and a willingness to embrace unique and sometimes unconventional aesthetics…something that you could look at weaving into your own designs.
- General design trends: The most contemporary style that finds its way into various designs is minimalism. In fact, if you look at many modern brands, minimalism tends to be the defining feature of the current age. As long as your business matches this type of aesthetic, you can use it to great effect.
Color Palettes Inspired By The City
For a city that seems to be in a perennial state of fog and mist, you might be surprised to learn that San Francisco has a pretty large color palette that is associated with it. Although the city flag might not inspire those individuals or businesses with more of a passion for color, by taking some time to look around the city, you will see for yourself just how much color is included in everyday life. So, what are the colors most commonly associated with this city, and that you might be able to use in your project?
- Red-orange: This hue is derived chiefly from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which has become a landmark of this place and has been painted and repainted in this hue for almost a century.
- Foggy gray: OK, so this option might not inspire people to visit your site, use your services, or buy your products, but when used effectively and in sync with a minimalist design, it can create some pretty amazing outcomes.
- Victorian teal: This interestingly named color is connected with Frisco’s past and is inspired by the painted Victorian houses (as you probably already figured). Because it’s a relatively timeless color, you can use it in almost any part of your site.
- Mustard yellow: If you’re looking for something a little more playful, then this is the way to go. If you look closely enough, you can find examples of this color all around the city. It can be used for a brand that is perhaps more oriented towards a business that wants to appear a bit more playful without the need to go too extreme and vibrant.
Typography Choices Reflective Of San Francisco
Typography plays a large part in the artistic and professional publishing science that has arisen over time. And, when you’re developing a brand that you can use throughout your web assets, the typography you select will play an oversized part in how you’re perceived. If we’re looking at modern typesets, then we are inevitably talking about a sans-serif set, and if you really want to zoom in closer, it’s probably something akin to the famous Apple System Font (which shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as Apple is based here). If you want to go down the official route, according to the San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Brand Identity Guidelines, Gotham is the primary typeface for print publications.
But what if you want to hark back to the simpler styles of the past? In that case, you will want to look at serif fonts that were popular in that era, as well as including specific Art Deco elements.
San Francisco is undoubtedly a fascinating place, design-wise. From its historical Victorian aesthetics to the modern world, where technology has become the be-all and end-all of design choices, there really is plenty to consider when choosing which style best suits your website.