In 100 years, web design will likely evolve into immersive, seamless experiences that blend technologies with human interaction, eliminating traditional concepts like pages, navigation, and fixed information. As AI and human minds merge with the digital world, designers will focus on creating dynamic, personalized environments rather than static websites.
Web design as we know it has drastically changed since the first websites appeared in the ’90s. From the garish, blinking designs to today’s sleek, responsive experiences, the evolution has been dramatic. But this is only the beginning. So, what will web design look like in 100 years? Is it even possible to predict? Spoiler alert: probably not. But that won’t stop us from taking a wild, controversial dive into the future.
The very concept of “websites” might become as obsolete as the dial-up modem. As virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) take over, the flat, pixelated world of websites could be replaced by something immersive and tactile, experienced in ways we can't yet comprehend. We may find ourselves designing entire virtual worlds or directing the flow of VR experiences, not simply laying out web pages. The title “web designer” might evolve into something more akin to “virtual architect” or “experience engineer.”
The End of the Screen?
Imagine a future where the concept of a screen is obsolete. Holograms, augmented reality lenses, or neural links could replace today’s glowing rectangles. Interfaces would become part of our physical world, reacting to environmental factors and our emotional state, creating a dynamic experience that responds to where we are and how we feel. In this world, the idea of a webpage would be irrelevant. We’d move through the web not by browsing pages, but by experiencing it directly, as an omnipresent, always-on environment.
The End of Pages and Navigation
In 100 years, web design may not even be about “pages” anymore. The entire structure of what we understand today as a website—pages, navigation menus, static content—could be totally irrelevant. Instead of clicking through pages or scrolling down a long stream of information, users might enter fluid, ever-evolving experiences that adapt and respond to their behavior, preferences, and context.
What if designing itself becomes irrelevant? AI and machine learning might evolve to create fully personalized, dynamic experiences, eliminating the need for pre-designed structures. Instead of navigating fixed websites, users might experience the web as a continuous, evolving environment, molded by their needs and context, much like a conversation that never ends.
The Role of AI in Design
Even as AI takes over more tasks, the need for the “human touch” will remain. Designers of the future will need to communicate with AI tools, direct creative decisions, and bring empathy, intuition, and storytelling into the design process. While AI will handle much of the technical and repetitive tasks, human designers will still play a pivotal role in shaping emotional connections, crafting stories, and adding the spark of creativity that makes designs resonate on a deeper level.
In 100 years, the boundaries between technologies and human experience will blur even further. Brain-computer interfaces could allow us to access the internet directly through our minds, bypassing screens and keyboards entirely. The web will no longer be something we visit—it will be something we live, breathe, and experience in our daily lives. This level of seamless integration could mean that the very notion of “designing” a website might no longer exist, but instead, we’d design environments and experiences that adapt to the needs and emotions of users in real time.
A New Era of Design
So, is this a utopian or dystopian future? The truth is, it’s impossible to say. On one hand, the future could offer a wealth of creative freedom and opportunities to design more immersive, personalized environments than ever before. On the other hand, we might also find ourselves designing for machines that design for other machines, raising questions about what it means to be a designer in a world where AI does most of the work.
One thing is certain, though: the future of web design is not only going to be different—it will be radically transformative. Whether we’re designing for virtual realities, augmented experiences, or brain interfaces, the next 100 years will surely redefine the way we think about design and the role designers will play. But at its core, there will always be the need for creativity, problem-solving, and a human-centered approach to shaping experiences that resonate with people.
Will we recognize web design in 100 years? Maybe not. But it’s clear that the journey there will be nothing short of extraordinary.