What is Web 1.0 Design?

Web 1.0 Design recreates early internet aesthetics (1991-2004)—table layouts, basic HTML, animated GIFs, under construction signs, visitor counters, Times New Roman, and amateur hand-coded charm. Evokes GeoCities and early personal websites.

When Should You Use This?

Use web 1.0 for nostalgia projects, internet history content, ironic/humorous sites, or art projects about early web. Works for products targeting older millennials nostalgic for early internet. Very specific aesthetic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •Too polished—web 1.0 should feel amateur/hand-coded; professional execution misses the charm
• •Wrong era—don't mix with Y2K (2000-2004) or web 2.0 (2004+); stick to 90s
• •Missing key elements—needs <marquee>, animated GIFs, "Best viewed in Netscape"
• •Too ironic—can work sincerely or ironically, but half-hearted execution fails
• •Modern expectations—web 1.0 is not responsive or accessible; acknowledge limitations

Real-World Examples

• •Poolsuite.net—nostalgia project perfectly recreating web 1.0 summer vibes
• •Internet Archive—exhibitions on web history use appropriate aesthetics
• •Artist projects—many create ironic or sincere web 1.0 homages
• •Retro gaming sites—some use early web aesthetics for period authenticity