25 Subtle Flat 2.0 Designs

Today, flat design is not as "flat" as the original style. It is much different from the initial style with richer details, clearer layers and better visual experience. So Ryan Allen called the current flat design "Flat Design 2.0" when writing for Dapper Gentlemen. In this article, he explained the difference between the original flat style and today's flat design, and even briefly analyzed the reasons for this evolution.

Flat design is still the mainstream, in part because it fits in well with responsive design, which is the result of gradual changes over the past few years.

Just as Ryan Allen showed in his illustrations, the main difference between the original flat design and the current 2.0 is reflected in the details. Highlights, gradients, and shadows have returned one after another, lightly added to the flat visual elements, making the entire design more informative. Flat design is no longer the opposite of skeuomorphic design.

Of course, some of the basic features of the original flat design are still retained in 2.0. The simple and modern style remains unchanged, but the increase in details has reduced the degree of simplicity; the use of bright and interesting colors is still the mainstream color matching trend of flat design; the pursuit of clarity and keeping simplicity are also the main characteristics of flat typography. Of course, exploring the differences is not the goal of today's article. Exploring the characteristics of flat 2.0 in the following 25 cases is the theme of today.

Cybeer Bar

Cybeer Bar is a good example to start with: they stick to the flat design rules and minimalist style, but the designer pushes the details and layers to the extreme, making the design clear and distinct, and the layers of colors make the whole design full of a different kind of realism.

Christmas with Joy

Popular Christmas characters from different parts of the world are made into flat illustrations, notable for the smooth use of graphics and unique shadow treatment.

Dropbox Guidelines

The Dropbox user guide has always been known for its beautiful illustration design. The combination of simple enough graphics and bright colors, plus the typical flat typography design, can be regarded as a model of flat 2.0.

450 GSM

450 GSM is closer to the early flat design, with very subtle use of shadows on visual elements.

Intercom

The bright blue background, stylized icons, calm but not dazzling fonts, rounded corners and soft details of the icons make the entire website design flat and pleasing.

Agency Survival Kit

The minimalist style and retro red tones of the website are in line with the characteristics of flat design, while the addition of shadows and textures make the website conform to the 2.0 design style.

Hell'o Baby

Although the font elements of the website are flashy, the color, corner treatment, and icon design of the website are very consistent with the design style of Flat Design 2.0.

Helbak

If you look closely, you’ll notice the soft shadow effect. This Scandinavian ceramicist’s work is typically flat, so it’s no surprise that his website uses flat design.

Paye Ton Caps

The page of this French online game uses a typical flat 2.0 design style, which is soft and friendly.

CSS Conference EU

The color scheme of the website uses a typical flat color scheme, but the designer has added a lot of gorgeous details to the website, making it more in line with 2.0 design.

Take It

The photos and flat website style are combined together without any sense of incongruity.

Google Santa Tracker

Obviously, flat design style and Christmas theme can be perfectly combined. The design style of Google Santa Tracker is not purely flat design. The use of motion blur and parallax effects makes the visual elements more layered and more dynamic.

For Better Coffee

Although the page design does not use many shadows, the designer has made good use of detail processing, color contrast and distinction, and parallax scrolling, and there is no pressure to classify the website as 2.0.

Dots

This is the official website of the game Dots. Both the website and the game style belong to the flat 2.0 design style. It is precisely because of this simple and delicate style that the website is full of fun and friendly atmosphere.

Quotes Magazine

Typical serif fonts and heavy textures are obviously not flat styles, but they make the website more refined, more textured, and make the colors and visuals more prominent. It can also be regarded as an alternative implementation of Flat Design 2.0.

Who Is This F*cking Bear?

This is a very interesting example of a website that uses a flat style (corners, basic shapes), relatively calm colors (with occasional bright orange to add vitality to the website), and a lot of layered details (look closely at the bear’s fur).

Stash Flat Icons

This is a website used to promote flat icons. The cases are brightly colored, and the flat typography and icons that conform to the flat 2.0 style are typical 2.0 designs.

Acapo

Not every flat website needs cartoon illustrations and humorous expressions. This website for an intellectual property law firm uses soft colors, a minimalist design, and easy-to-read fonts to show their professionalism and care.

Liberio

Liberio is another textbook of flat design, with a smooth experience, smooth transitions, simple graphics, bright colors, and modern fonts.

Kaipoche

This parallax scrolling website is designed for a kite festival. The warm colors and cartoon-like illustrations make the website more atmospheric.

Team Treehouse

Team Treehouse This site shows the increase in icon design detail from the early days of flat design to today’s 2.0.

SCEATT

You may rarely see such a relaxed design style in other financial websites, but you have to admit that flat design can easily meet the style requirements of SCEATT.

Evolve Wealth

Similar to SCESTT above, Evolve Wealth distinguishes itself from other similar financial company websites through a warm and humorous atmosphere, which also shows the unique charm of Flat 2.0.

Black Tomato

This website also combines photography and pictures, and the two design elements complement each other.

Lander

Lander is a classic example of what a modern website with flat design looks like. Objects made of blocks of color have rich details thanks to Flat 2.0.

Conclusion

Flat Design 2.0 opens a door for designers. It is no longer a plain two-dimensional plane, nor is it the antonym of skeuomorphism. Integration and inclusiveness give Flat Design 2.0 more possibilities. More elements and humanized designs are incorporated into it. Its future is worth looking forward to.