5 Brutalist Web Design Prompts to Inspire Raw Creativity

The Rise of Brutalist Web Design

Remember the last time you landed on a website that felt different? Not in a sleek, polished way—more like someone handed you a raw, unfiltered piece of the internet. No smooth animations, no perfect gradients, just bold text, clashing colors, and a layout that looks like it was built in five minutes. That’s brutalist web design. And right now, it’s having a moment.

Brutalism isn’t new. It started in architecture—think concrete towers, exposed pipes, and buildings that look more like industrial warehouses than cozy homes. The idea? Form follows function. No frills, no hiding behind pretty facades. The same philosophy is now taking over web design. Why? Because in a world where every website looks like a carbon copy of Apple’s homepage, brutalism stands out. It’s the digital equivalent of wearing a leather jacket to a black-tie event—unapologetically itself.

Why Brands Are Ditching the Polished Look

We’ve spent years chasing the “perfect” website: fast load times, minimalist layouts, and enough white space to make a Scandinavian interior designer proud. But here’s the problem—when everything looks the same, nothing feels real. Brutalism cuts through the noise. It’s messy, it’s bold, and it doesn’t care if you like it. That rawness? That’s the point.

Some brands are using brutalism to:

Show authenticity – No corporate BS, just straight-to-the-point messaging.
Stand out in crowded markets – When competitors play it safe, brutalism grabs attention.
Appeal to niche audiences – Artists, rebels, and experimental startups love its anti-establishment vibe.

But brutalism isn’t for everyone. If your brand sells luxury watches or high-end consulting, a chaotic, text-heavy website might scare off customers. It works best for brands that want to feel different—think indie record labels, underground art collectives, or tech startups that want to look like they’re building the future, not just another SaaS product.

What to Expect in This Article

Brutalist design isn’t about throwing random elements together and calling it a day. There’s a method to the madness. In this post, we’ll break down five prompts to help you craft a brutalist website that’s intentionally bold—not just broken. You’ll learn how to:

Use typography as a weapon (hint: Comic Sans isn’t the answer).
Play with color (or lack thereof) to create tension.
Structure layouts that feel chaotic but still make sense.
Embrace imperfection without looking sloppy.
Tell a story through raw, unfiltered design.

Ready to ditch the rulebook and build something that feels like the internet used to? Let’s dive in.

The Philosophy Behind Brutalist Web Design: Why Raw Works

Brutalist web design isn’t just a style—it’s a rebellion. It throws out the rulebook of sleek, polished interfaces and says, “What if the internet looked raw, honest, and a little bit messy?” This isn’t about bad design. It’s about intentional roughness, where every jagged edge and unfiltered element serves a purpose. Think of it like a building made of exposed concrete: no fancy facades, just the bones of the structure on full display.

So why does this work? Because the internet has become too predictable. Scroll through any app store or portfolio site, and you’ll see the same clean layouts, the same soft gradients, the same “safe” choices. Brutalism cuts through the noise. It doesn’t just look different—it feels different. And in a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, that feeling is everything.

The Anti-Design Movement: Breaking the Rules on Purpose

Most web design follows a formula: smooth animations, rounded corners, subtle shadows, and a color palette that looks like it was pulled from a Pantone catalog. Brutalism? It laughs at that formula. It asks: Why does a button need to be soft and clickable when a plain text link works just as well? Why hide the code when you can let it breathe on the page?

This isn’t laziness—it’s a deliberate choice. Brutalist designers strip away the fluff to focus on what really matters: content, function, and personality. It’s the digital equivalent of a punk rock album cover—no glossy production, just raw energy. And just like punk, it doesn’t appeal to everyone. But for the right audience, it’s magnetic.

Take Bloomberg’s 2018 redesign. Instead of a sleek, modern homepage, they went for something that looked like it was built in the early 2000s: monospace fonts, high-contrast colors, and a layout that prioritized speed over aesthetics. The result? A site that feels like a financial newsroom—fast, no-nonsense, and built for people who don’t have time for pretty distractions.

Why Unpolished Designs Stick in Your Brain

There’s a reason you remember the weird, ugly websites from the early internet. They stood out because they were different. Brutalism taps into that same psychology. When everything else is smooth and predictable, something rough and unfiltered grabs your attention—and holds it.

This isn’t just about shock value, though. Brutalist design often feels more authentic. In a world of overproduced marketing and AI-generated content, a website that looks handmade (even if it’s not) can feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s the digital equivalent of a handwritten note in a sea of mass-produced emails.

Here’s the kicker: brutalism doesn’t just look memorable—it feels memorable. Studies on design psychology show that people associate rough, unpolished aesthetics with creativity, rebellion, and even trustworthiness in certain contexts. A 2021 study from the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers often perceive “imperfect” designs as more genuine than hyper-polished ones. That’s why brands like Balenciaga (in their early digital days) and independent artists use brutalism to signal: “We’re not like everyone else.”

Brutalism vs. Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Which One’s Right for You?

Not all bold designs are brutalist. Here’s how to tell them apart:

Minimalism – “Less is more.” Clean lines, plenty of white space, and a focus on simplicity. Think Apple’s website: elegant, but safe.
Maximalism – “More is more.” Bright colors, layered elements, and a sense of controlled chaos. Think fashion brands like Gucci or Moschino.
Brutalism – “Raw is more.” No frills, no polish, just function and attitude. It’s minimalism’s rebellious cousin.

So when should you choose brutalism? Ask yourself:

Does your brand have an edge? Brutalism works for artists, activists, and brands that want to challenge the status quo.
Is your audience tired of the same old designs? If your competitors are all playing it safe, brutalism can help you stand out.
Do you prioritize function over form? Brutalism isn’t about looking pretty—it’s about working in the most direct way possible.

If you answered yes to any of these, brutalism might be your secret weapon.

Case Study: Brands That Nailed Brutalism (And Why It Worked)

Brutalism isn’t just for indie artists—some of the biggest names in tech and fashion have used it to make a statement. Here are a few standout examples:

Balenciaga’s Early Website – Before they went full luxury, Balenciaga’s site looked like it was coded in Notepad. No images, just black text on a white background with hyperlinks that looked like they were from 1998. It was jarring—but that was the point. It made the brand feel avant-garde, like they were too cool for traditional web design.
Bloomberg’s Redesign – As mentioned earlier, Bloomberg’s site looks like it was built for speed, not beauty. The high-contrast colors and monospace fonts make it feel like a terminal for traders—exactly the audience they’re targeting.
Craig Mod’s Portfolio – The writer and designer’s personal site is a masterclass in brutalist simplicity. No images, no fancy layouts—just text, links, and a few bold colors. It’s not pretty, but it’s effective. Every element serves a purpose, and nothing distracts from the content.
The Outline (RIP) – This digital magazine’s website was a love letter to brutalism. Bright colors, overlapping text, and a layout that felt like it was constantly on the verge of breaking. It was polarizing, but it perfectly matched their bold, unconventional journalism.

What do all these examples have in common? They didn’t just use brutalism—they owned it. They understood that the style isn’t about being ugly for the sake of it. It’s about being real. And in a digital world full of filters, that’s a rare and powerful thing.

Prompt 1: “Design a Website That Looks Like It Was Built in 1999”

Remember the early internet? Websites with bright blue links, flashing GIFs, and text that screamed at you in Comic Sans? That’s the vibe we’re going for here—not because we want to make something ugly, but because there’s something raw and honest about those old-school designs. This prompt isn’t about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about blending the chaos of the early web with modern brutalism to create something bold, rebellious, and impossible to ignore.

The key here is retro-futurism—a mix of old and new that feels fresh. Think of it like wearing a vintage band T-shirt with a sleek leather jacket. The contrast makes it interesting. You’re not just copying the past; you’re using it to say something new. And in a world where most websites look like they were designed by the same algorithm, that’s a powerful statement.

How to Nail the 1999 Aesthetic (Without Looking Like a Time Capsule)

So, how do you actually pull this off? Start with the basics: clashing colors, default fonts, and intentional “mistakes.” Here’s what to include:

Broken grids and misaligned elements – Nothing should look perfectly centered or symmetrical. Let things drift a little. It’s like a collage where the pieces don’t quite fit, and that’s the point.
Default system fonts – Courier, Times New Roman, Arial. These fonts weren’t chosen for their beauty; they were the only options. Use them unapologetically.
Low-res images and pixelated graphics – Blurry JPEGs, grainy textures, and images that look like they were scanned from a magazine. The lower the quality, the better.
“Under construction” vibes – Remember those animated GIFs of construction workers digging? Add a few. Or better yet, leave some parts of the site unfinished on purpose.
Glitch effects and “errors” – Missing images, broken links (that aren’t actually broken), and text that looks like it’s been corrupted. These aren’t bugs—they’re features.

This isn’t about being lazy. It’s about being deliberate. Every “mistake” should feel intentional, like the designer knew exactly what they were doing and chose to break the rules anyway.

When to Use This Prompt (And When to Avoid It)

This style isn’t for everyone. It works best for brands that want to stand out by being different—not just in what they say, but in how they look. Here’s who should try it:

Creative agencies – If you’re selling design services, this is a great way to show you can think outside the box. Clients will either love it or hate it, and that’s okay. The ones who love it are your people.
Musicians and artists – The 1999 aesthetic has a DIY, underground feel that fits perfectly with indie music, experimental art, and anything anti-establishment.
Rebellious brands – If your brand is all about breaking rules (think streetwear, punk culture, or disruptive startups), this is your chance to walk the walk.

But if you’re a law firm, a hospital, or a corporate brand that needs to look polished and professional, this probably isn’t for you. Brutalism is about raw honesty, and sometimes, honesty isn’t what people want to see.

Tools and Techniques to Make It Happen

You don’t need fancy software to pull this off. In fact, the simpler the tools, the better. Here’s how to do it:

CSS tricks for that “old web” feel – Turn off modern styling with box-shadow: none, text-shadow: none, and border-radius: 0. Use text-align: justify to make paragraphs look like they were typed in Microsoft Word.
HTML quirks – Add <marquee> tags for scrolling text (yes, it’s outdated, and that’s the point). Use <blink> if you’re feeling extra rebellious (though it won’t work in all browsers).
Intentional “errors” – Leave some images broken with alt text that says something like “image missing (on purpose).” Add a 404 page that looks like it was designed in 1999.
Color palettes – Think bright blues, neon greens, and hot pinks. The more they clash, the better. Use a tool like Coolors to generate a palette that looks like it came from a Geocities site.

“The best brutalist designs don’t just look old—they feel alive. They’re messy, unpredictable, and full of personality. That’s what makes them memorable.”

Final Thought: Why This Works

At its core, this prompt is about authenticity. The early web was a wild, unfiltered place where anyone could build something without worrying about SEO, UX, or best practices. It was raw, personal, and full of character. By bringing that energy into modern design, you’re not just creating a website—you’re creating a statement.

So go ahead. Break the rules. Make something that looks like it was built in 1999. Just make sure it’s your 1999.

Prompt 2: “Create a Website That Feels Like a Digital Protest”

Brutalist web design isn’t just about looking raw—it’s about feeling raw. And nothing cuts deeper than a website that screams rebellion. Think of it like a protest sign in digital form: bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore. This isn’t design for the sake of aesthetics. It’s design as activism.

So how do you turn a website into a digital protest? Start by asking: What’s the message? Brutalism works best when it has something to say. Maybe you’re an underground art collective fighting gentrification. Or a startup taking on corporate giants. Or just a brand that refuses to play by the rules. Whatever it is, your design should amplify that voice—not soften it.

Design Choices That Scream Rebellion

If your website looks like every other sleek, minimalist template, you’ve already lost. Brutalist protest design thrives on chaos—but not the kind that confuses users. The kind that demands attention.

Here’s how to make it work:

Typography as a weapon – Ditch the clean, corporate fonts. Go for all-caps, bold weights, or even handwritten styles. Think of the Occupy Wall Street posters: messy, urgent, and impossible to scroll past.
High-contrast clashes – Black text on a neon background. White text on a blood-red screen. The more jarring, the better. This isn’t the place for subtle gradients.
Chaotic layouts – Break the grid. Overlap elements. Let text spill outside containers. The goal? Make it feel like someone built this in a hurry—because the message couldn’t wait.
Raw, unfiltered visuals – No polished stock photos. Use grainy images, glitch art, or even scanned protest flyers. The more “unprofessional,” the more authentic it feels.

But here’s the catch: chaos doesn’t mean unusable. A protest website still needs to work. If users can’t find your call-to-action or navigate your site, the message gets lost in the noise.

Case Study: The “No” Campaign That Changed Everything

One of the best examples of brutalist design as protest? The “No” campaign during Chile’s 1988 referendum. The opposition used stark, high-contrast posters with simple, bold typography to rally voters against dictator Augusto Pinochet. The design was raw, urgent, and impossible to ignore—and it worked. The “No” side won.

Fast-forward to today, and brands are using the same tactics. Take Extinction Rebellion’s website: bright colors, overlapping text, and a layout that feels like it’s constantly in motion. Or Pussy Riot’s digital presence, which looks like it was hacked together in a basement (in the best way possible). These aren’t just websites—they’re manifestos.

Balancing Chaos and Usability

So how do you keep your protest website functional? A few rules:

Prioritize the CTA – Even in chaos, your call-to-action should stand out. Use a bright color, bold text, or a glitch effect to draw the eye.
Keep navigation simple – A protest site can look wild, but users should still find what they need in 2-3 clicks. Hide menus if you must, but don’t make them hunt.
Use contrast for readability – If your background is black, make sure the text is white (or vice versa). No one should squint to read your manifesto.
Test on mobile – Brutalist designs often break on small screens. Make sure your protest site still works on phones—because that’s where most people will see it.

At the end of the day, a digital protest website isn’t about perfection. It’s about impact. If your design makes people stop, think, and maybe even feel a little uncomfortable? You’re doing it right.

Prompt 3: “Build a Website That Looks Like It Was Coded by a Mad Scientist”

Ever visited a website that feels like stepping into a secret lab? One where buttons flicker, text glitches like a broken VHS tape, and the whole page moves in ways that shouldn’t be possible? That’s the mad scientist aesthetic—a brutalist design approach that screams experimentation. It’s not just about looking weird for the sake of it. It’s about showing the world you’re pushing boundaries, breaking rules, and building something no one else dares to.

This style works best for brands that want to stand out as innovators. Think tech startups testing wild new ideas, artists playing with digital chaos, or even research projects that feel like they’re from the future. The key? Making the unpredictability feel intentional. A glitch isn’t a mistake—it’s part of the experience.

What Makes a Mad Scientist Website?

This isn’t your average clean, corporate design. Here’s what sets it apart:

Asymmetrical layouts – No grids, no symmetry. Elements float where they want, like a lab bench covered in half-finished experiments.
Animated glitches – Text that flickers, images that distort, or buttons that pulse like a heartbeat. It’s unsettling, but in a good way.
Terminal-like interfaces – Monospace fonts, command-line prompts, or even fake loading screens that make users feel like they’re hacking into something.
Unconventional navigation – Menus that appear only when you hover in the right spot, or links that move when you try to click them. It’s frustrating, but also kind of fun.

One great example? The website for JODI, an early net art collective. Their pages look like they were coded by someone who just discovered HTML and decided to go wild. It’s messy, confusing, and completely unforgettable.

How to Build Your Own Mad Scientist Website

You don’t need a PhD in computer science to pull this off. A few tools and tricks can get you most of the way there:

CSS animations – Use @keyframes to make elements pulse, shake, or fade in and out. Even simple effects can make a page feel alive.
WebGL and Three.js – For 3D elements that twist, warp, or float in space. These libraries let you create visuals that feel like they’re from a sci-fi movie.
JavaScript libraries – Tools like p5.js or Tone.js can add interactive sound or generative art to your site.
Terminal emulators – If you want that hacker aesthetic, tools like xterm.js can simulate a command-line interface.

But here’s the catch: just because you can make something glitchy doesn’t mean you should. This style isn’t for everyone. If your audience expects a smooth, professional experience (like a bank or a healthcare provider), this approach will backfire. Even for edgy brands, you need to balance chaos with usability. No one wants to fight their way through a website just to find your contact info.

When to Avoid the Mad Scientist Look

This style is high-risk, high-reward. Here’s when to think twice:

Your audience is traditional – Lawyers, accountants, and government agencies probably won’t appreciate a glitchy, unpredictable website.
Accessibility is a priority – Screen readers struggle with unconventional layouts. If your site isn’t usable for people with disabilities, you’re excluding a huge audience.
You don’t have time to test – This kind of design requires extra QA. What looks cool on your laptop might break on a phone or an older browser.

Before you go all-in, ask yourself: Does this serve my users, or just my ego? If the answer isn’t clear, dial it back. A little madness is good. Too much, and you’ll scare people away.

The Secret to Making It Work

The best mad scientist websites don’t just look wild—they feel intentional. Every glitch, every broken layout, every flickering button should have a purpose. Maybe it’s to guide users toward a specific action. Maybe it’s to make them pause and think. Or maybe it’s just to show off your technical skills.

Take the website for Bruno Simon’s portfolio. It’s a 3D driving game where you navigate a car through a surreal landscape to find his work. It’s chaotic, but it’s also fun. That’s the difference between a website that feels broken and one that feels like an experience.

So if you’re ready to embrace the madness, start small. Add one glitchy element. See how users react. Then push it further. The goal isn’t to make something perfect—it’s to make something memorable. And in a world of polished, cookie-cutter websites, that’s a superpower.

Prompt 4: “Design a Website That Feels Like a Physical Space (But Digital)”

What if your website didn’t just look like a screen—but felt like a place? A cold concrete bunker. A graffiti-covered alley. A steel-and-glass skyscraper you could almost touch. Brutalist web design isn’t just about raw aesthetics; it’s about making digital feel tactile. And when done right, it turns visitors into explorers.

This isn’t about slapping a brick texture on your homepage and calling it a day. It’s about spatial design—using visual tricks to mimic the weight, texture, and depth of real-world materials. Think of it like digital architecture: every shadow, gradient, and 3D element should make users feel like they’re stepping into a physical space. So how do you pull it off without making your site look like a 90s CD-ROM?

Brutalism Meets Spatial Design: Making Pixels Feel Real

The secret? Texture and depth. Brutalist spaces—whether in architecture or web design—rely on materials that feel heavy, rough, or industrial. Concrete isn’t smooth; it’s gritty. Metal isn’t flat; it’s cold and reflective. Even graffiti has layers, drips, and uneven edges. Your job is to translate those qualities into digital form.

Here’s how to fake it:

Shadows that mean something – Not the soft, floating shadows of modern UI. Brutalist shadows are hard, like light hitting a jagged concrete edge. Use CSS box-shadow with high blur and low spread for a sharp, industrial look.
Gradients that mimic material – A flat gray background is boring. A gradient that fades from dark to light like sun hitting a metal beam? That’s texture. Tools like Gradient Hunt can help, but brutalist gradients should feel uneven—like they were hand-painted.
3D elements that pop – WebGL and Three.js can create floating objects, warped grids, or even virtual “rooms” users can navigate. But you don’t need complex code to fake depth. Even simple CSS transforms (rotateX, perspective) can make flat elements feel like they’re jutting out of the screen.
“Heavy” visuals – Think raw materials: exposed rebar, chipped paint, rusted metal. Use high-res photos of these textures as backgrounds, or create SVG patterns that repeat like a tiled floor. Sites like TextureKing or Subtle Patterns are great for this.

The goal isn’t realism—it’s impression. You want users to feel the weight of a steel beam when they scroll, or the roughness of concrete under their cursor. It’s a trick, but it works.

Case Study: When Websites Become Architecture

Some of the best examples of spatial brutalism come from—unsurprisingly—architecture firms. Take Zaha Hadid Architects’ portfolio. The site doesn’t just show buildings; it feels like walking through one. The navigation is angular, like the firm’s signature curves. The typography is bold and structural. Even the loading animations mimic the slow reveal of a building’s facade.

Or look at digital art galleries like Sedition. Their brutalist-inspired layouts use stark contrasts, asymmetrical grids, and “heavy” visuals to make digital art feel like it’s hanging in a physical space. The effect? You’re not just browsing—you’re exploring.

What can you learn from these sites?

Navigation should feel like movement – If your site mimics a physical space, users should move through it. Think of your menu as a hallway, your buttons as doors. Use animations to guide the eye (e.g., a slow zoom on hover, like stepping closer to a painting).
Typography as architecture – Brutalist fonts (like Bebas Neue or Space Mono) aren’t just text—they’re structural elements. Use them to create visual weight, like beams holding up a ceiling.
Sound (yes, sound!) – Some spatial designs incorporate subtle audio cues—like the click of a light switch or the hum of machinery. Tools like Tone.js can add these layers without overwhelming users.

Tools to Fake a Physical Space (Without a 3D Engine)

You don’t need a degree in architecture to pull this off. Here’s what you’ll actually use:

CSS filter effects – Add noise, blur, or contrast to mimic film grain or rough textures. Try:

.brutal-texture {
  filter: contrast(1.2) brightness(0.9) saturate(0.8);
  background-image: url('concrete-texture.jpg');
}

SVG patterns – Create repeating textures (like brick, metal, or graffiti) that scale perfectly. Hero Patterns has free, customizable options.
WebGL for immersive environments – If you want to go all-in, libraries like Three.js or Babylon.js can build 3D spaces. But even simple parallax scrolling (where background layers move slower than foreground) can fake depth.
Variable fonts – Fonts like Decovar let you adjust weight, slant, and ornamentation dynamically, so your typography can feel as heavy or light as you want.

Pro tip: Start with one “physical” element—like a concrete-textured header or a metal-like button—and build from there. Too much at once can feel overwhelming (even for brutalism).

The Brutalist Paradox: Ugly Can Be Beautiful

Here’s the thing about spatial brutalism: it’s supposed to feel a little uncomfortable. A polished, minimalist site says, “We’re professional. Trust us.” A brutalist site says, “We’re real. Look closer.” That rawness is what makes it memorable.

But—and this is crucial—it still has to work. A website that feels like a physical space is useless if users can’t find your contact page or checkout button. The best brutalist designs balance chaos with clarity. They guide the eye with contrast, hierarchy, and intentional “paths” (like a bold arrow or a high-contrast CTA).

So ask yourself: What kind of space do I want my website to be? A bunker? A gallery? A factory? Then build it—one pixel at a time.

Prompt 5: “Create a Website That Looks Like It Was Hacked (But Wasn’t)”

Ever visited a website that made you do a double-take? The text flickers like a dying monitor. Images load in jagged chunks. A loading bar spins forever, mocking you. For a second, you think: Did I just get hacked? Then you realize—no, this is supposed to look broken. Welcome to the world of glitch art in web design.

This isn’t about lazy coding or actual malware. It’s about controlled chaos—a deliberate aesthetic that turns digital errors into a bold statement. Think of it like a punk rock song: the raw, unpolished edges are what make it powerful. But here’s the trick: you have to make it look broken without being broken. The site still needs to work. The glitches? Just for show.

Why Would Anyone Want a “Hacked” Website?

This style isn’t for everyone. But for the right brand, it’s perfect. Here’s who should try it:

Cyberpunk and tech startups – If your brand lives in the future (or wants to), a glitchy, hacker-inspired site reinforces that vibe. It says, “We’re on the cutting edge—even if the edge looks a little unstable.”
Experimental artists and musicians – Glitch art is already a big deal in digital art. A website that looks like it’s melting or corrupting can feel like an extension of the work itself.
Rebellious or anti-establishment brands – If your message is “the system is broken,” why not show it? A “hacked” site visually reinforces that idea.
Gaming and esports companies – Many games use glitch effects for dramatic tension. A website that mimics that feel can immerse visitors in the same world.

The key? Know your audience. If your users expect sleek, corporate design, this might scare them off. But if they’re into edgy, experimental, or techy vibes? They’ll love it.

How to Fake the Hacked Look (Without Actually Breaking Your Site)

So how do you create this effect safely? You don’t want a site that actually crashes. You want one that looks like it’s on the verge. Here’s how:

1. Distorted Typography

Use CSS text-shadow to create a “ghost text” effect, like the words are duplicating or smearing.
Try SVG filters to warp text, making it look like it’s glitching in real time.
For extra drama, animate the text so it flickers or jumps around (but not so much that it’s unreadable).

2. VHS-Style Scan Lines & Static

Overlay a subtle noise texture (like old TV static) in the background.
Add horizontal scan lines with a repeating CSS gradient or a semi-transparent PNG.
Use CSS mix-blend-mode to make elements look like they’re bleeding into each other.

3. “Loading” Screens That Never Finish

Create a fake loading bar that fills up… but never actually completes.
Add a spinning wheel or progress indicator that loops forever.
For extra effect, randomly pause the animation to make it feel like the site is struggling.

4. Broken Image Effects

Use CSS clip-path to make images look like they’re loading in chunks.
Apply SVG filters to create a “corrupted” look, like the image is pixelating or melting.
For a fun touch, randomly swap images with a JavaScript timer to mimic a glitch.

5. Dynamic Glitch Effects with JavaScript

Libraries like Glitch.js can add real-time glitch effects to elements.
Use setInterval to randomly trigger glitches (like text flickering or image distortion).
For a more advanced look, try Three.js to create 3D glitches or warped visuals.

Pro Tip: Test your glitch effects on different devices. What looks cool on a desktop might be unreadable on mobile. Always keep usability in mind—even if the design is intentionally rough.

When to Avoid This Style

Not every brand should go full glitch mode. Here’s when to skip this look:

Healthcare, finance, or legal websites – If trust and professionalism are key, this style might make users nervous.
E-commerce sites – Unless you’re selling something very niche (like cyberpunk merch), glitches can distract from conversions.
Government or official sites – Most people expect these to be stable and reliable. A “hacked” look could send the wrong message.

Real-World Examples to Inspire You

Want to see this style in action? Check out these sites:

Jonas Lund – A digital artist whose site looks like it’s constantly on the verge of crashing. The glitches feel intentional, almost like an art piece.
Rafael Rozendaal – His websites often use bold colors and simple glitch effects to create a playful, experimental vibe.
The Glitch Archive – A collection of glitch art that shows just how far you can push this aesthetic.

Final Thought: Make It Intentional

The best “hacked” websites don’t just look broken—they feel like a statement. Every glitch, every flicker, every loading screen that never ends should serve a purpose. Maybe it’s to create tension. Maybe it’s to make users question what’s real. Or maybe it’s just to stand out in a sea of polished, boring sites.

So go ahead. Break the rules. Make something that looks like it’s falling apart. Just make sure it’s your kind of falling apart.

7. Brutalist Web Design in Practice: Tips, Tools, and Pitfalls

Brutalist web design isn’t just about looking raw—it’s about feeling real. But here’s the thing: you can’t just throw together some clashing colors and call it a day. A good brutalist site still needs to work. It should be bold, yes, but also usable. So how do you balance that rough, unpolished aesthetic with real-world functionality? Let’s break it down.

SEO and Brutalism: Can They Coexist?

At first glance, brutalism and SEO seem like oil and water. One loves chaos; the other thrives on structure. But here’s the secret: you can optimize a brutalist site—you just have to be smart about it.

First, structured data is your friend. Even if your design looks like it was coded in a hurry, search engines still need to understand what your site is about. Use schema markup for key pages (like product listings or blog posts) to help Google make sense of your content. Second, alt text isn’t optional. Brutalist sites often use abstract or unconventional imagery, but screen readers (and search engines) need descriptions. Keep them clear and concise—no need to overthink it.

Mobile is another big one. Brutalist designs can be heavy on visuals, which means slow load times if you’re not careful. Compress images, minify code, and test your site on different devices. If it takes 10 seconds to load, users will bounce—no matter how cool it looks.

Accessibility in Raw Design: Don’t Lock People Out

Brutalism is all about breaking rules, but accessibility isn’t one of them. A site that’s hard to use isn’t bold—it’s just frustrating. So how do you keep that raw edge without alienating users?

Start with contrast ratios. Brutalist designs often use dark backgrounds with light text (or vice versa), but if the contrast is too low, people with visual impairments won’t be able to read it. Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to test your color combinations. Next, keyboard navigation is a must. Some brutalist sites rely on unconventional layouts, but users should still be able to tab through links and buttons without getting lost. Finally, ARIA labels help screen readers interpret interactive elements. If your site has custom buttons or hidden menus, label them properly.

The goal isn’t to make your site look like every other corporate template. It’s to make sure everyone can experience it—even if that experience is a little rough around the edges.

Tools and Resources: Where to Start

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to build a brutalist site. Here are some tools and resources to help you get started:

Frameworks: Skip the polished look of Bootstrap. Instead, try Tachyons (a minimal CSS toolkit) or Bulma (flexible and lightweight).
Fonts: Brutalism loves bold, no-nonsense typography. Try Space Mono (monospace), Bebas Neue (all-caps impact), or Raleway (clean but edgy).
Inspiration: Need ideas? Check out Brutalist Websites (a collection of raw, unfiltered designs) or Awwwards (for avant-garde examples).
Color Palettes: Brutalism isn’t afraid of clashing colors. Tools like Coolors can help you generate bold, high-contrast schemes.

Common Mistakes: What to Avoid

Brutalism is about intentional chaos, not just chaos for chaos’s sake. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

Overdoing the chaos: A brutalist site should feel controlled, not broken. If users can’t figure out how to navigate, you’ve gone too far.
Ignoring load times: Heavy visuals and custom scripts can slow your site down. Test your page speed with Google’s PageSpeed Insights and optimize where needed.
Neglecting brand alignment: Brutalism works best when it means something. If your brand is all about minimalism, a chaotic brutalist site might feel off-brand. Make sure the design matches your message.

Final Thought: Brutalism with Purpose

Brutalist web design isn’t for everyone. But if you’re going for a bold, unapologetic look, it can be a powerful tool. The key is to balance that raw aesthetic with real usability. Optimize for SEO, keep it accessible, and don’t let the chaos overshadow the experience.

So go ahead—break some rules. Just make sure your site still works. Because at the end of the day, the best brutalist designs aren’t just eye-catching. They’re unforgettable.

Conclusion: Is Brutalist Web Design Right for You?

Brutalist web design isn’t for everyone. It’s bold, raw, and sometimes messy—but that’s exactly why it works for the right brands. Let’s quickly recap the five prompts we covered and who they’re perfect for:

“Build a Website That Looks Like It Was Coded by a Mad Scientist” – Ideal for creative agencies, artists, or tech startups who want to stand out with glitchy, experimental visuals.
“Design a Website That Feels Like a Physical Space (But Digital)” – Great for galleries, architects, or brands that want users to experience their site, not just scroll through it.
“Create a Website That Looks Like It Was Hacked (But Wasn’t)” – Perfect for cybersecurity firms, indie game developers, or anyone who wants to play with tension and intrigue.
“Make a Site That Breaks All the Rules (But Still Works)” – Best for rebellious brands, underground movements, or projects where usability takes a backseat to raw expression.
“Build a Minimalist Brutalist Site That Loads in Under a Second” – A smart choice for performance-focused brands, journalists, or anyone who values speed over flashy effects.

Where Brutalism Is Headed Next

Brutalism isn’t going away—it’s evolving. We’re seeing trends like “soft brutalism” (where the rawness is toned down with subtle animations or warmer colors) and hybrid designs (mixing brutalist elements with more traditional layouts). Some brands are even using brutalism for micro-interactions—like a button that distorts when clicked or a loading screen that feels intentionally broken.

The key? Brutalism is no longer just about looking rough. It’s about intentional imperfection—making design choices that feel human, not sterile.

Should You Try It?

If you’re tired of generic, over-polished websites, brutalism might be your answer. But before you dive in, ask yourself:

Does my brand have a strong, rebellious personality?
Am I okay with some users finding my site “too intense”?
Can I balance bold design with basic usability?

If you answered yes, start small. Pick one brutalist element—like a glitchy hover effect or an asymmetrical layout—and test it. See how your audience reacts. If they love it, push further. If not, dial it back.

Your Turn

Brutalist design is all about experimentation. Which of these prompts excites you the most? Would you try the “hacked” aesthetic, or are you more drawn to the minimalist approach? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to see what you create.

And if you’re ready to go deeper, check out tools like p5.js for generative art, Three.js for 3D effects, or just open your code editor and start breaking things. The best brutalist sites aren’t designed—they’re unleashed.

** The Rise of Brutalist Web Design**