2000s

This category is for aesthetics that originated in the 2000s or were prevalent during that decade.

Summary[]

The 2000s were a decade of radical technological transition, moving from the analog/digital hybridity of the late 90s to the total mainstreaming of high-speed internet. The decade is historically divided into three distinct visual phases: the continuation of the sleek, futuristic Y2K Futurism era (2000–2003); the rise of the celebrity-driven and maximalist McBling and Bling Era (2003–2007); and the naturalistic optimism of Frutiger Aero (2007–2010).

The decade saw the rise of the Metrosexual archetype and Electroclash music. Simultaneously, the proliferation of social media platforms like MySpace became the home of various expressive youth subcultures, most notably Emo and Scene, which were characterized by specific hair styling, DIY photography, and the birth of Glitter Graphics.

The late 2000s saw a reaction against this opulence as the global economy shifted. This "Blogosphere" era gave rise to Indie Sleaze, Bloghouse, Recession Pop, and New Rave, which traded polished luxury for a grittier and flash-photography-based party aesthetic. As smartphones and professional UI design emerged, the chaotic Old Web graphics were replaced by Skeuomorphism.