Web Design in 2024: The World’s Gone Digital, and Now It’s Hyperreal

7 min readNov 13, 2024

All right, folks, it’s November 2024, and here we are, lost in the digital jungle of web design. But it’s not just any jungle — oh no, this one’s turbocharged by AI, hyperreality, and the whole sustainable, dopamine-driven mess we’re calling “progress.” Today’s web designers? They’re like magicians wielding code and algorithms, reshaping your online experience, and trying to sell you on the idea that all of this is somehow going to save humanity. So let’s break down what’s happening.

The Almighty AI in Web Design: Creativity on Auto-Pilot

The Creative “Process”
First, they tell us AI is the next Picasso, making it easier to slap together web pages without getting your hands dirty. Designers are now relying on AI like Canva’s “Dream Lab” to turn text prompts into pretty little images. “Just type your idea,” they say, “and voilà, out pops the vision in full color!” AI’s doing all the heavy lifting, so designers can focus on “big ideas.” But let’s be honest, we’re in the age where machines are pumping out creativity, and the artists are sitting back, watching the robots take their jobs. “It’s liberating,” they say — sure, if you like your creativity served up by Skynet.

Personalization Gone Wild
Then there’s the whole customization thing — AI analyzing every digital breadcrumb you leave behind. Your browsing history, the things you click, the colors that catch your eye… all of it gets fed into the algorithm so it can reshape a website to your liking. You think it’s magic? I think it’s a privacy invasion. It’s like the digital version of someone rearranging your living room every time you leave. Cozy? Maybe. Creepy? Absolutely.

Hyperreality: When Reality Isn’t Enough

A Blend of Real and Unreal
Next up, we’ve got “hyperreality.” The fancy word for slapping a layer of digital nonsense on the world and calling it progress. Imagine online shopping where you’re “trying on” clothes in a virtual fitting room, or strolling through a digital showroom for a product you’ll probably never buy. Now, I get it — bridging online with in-store sounds great. But we’re teetering on the edge of complete disconnection from reality. What’s next, a hyperreal marriage proposal? “Will you virtually marry me in our hyperreal love?” Spare me.

The Tech Hurdle
And hey, hyperreality isn’t exactly plug-and-play, folks. You need a tech wizard with AR/VR chops just to keep it from crashing every ten seconds. And good luck if you’ve got any kind of physical limitation — this stuff isn’t exactly optimized for accessibility. So, we’ve got ourselves a digital playground that’s super inclusive… as long as you’re a fully able tech wizard with an updated gadget and no moral objections to being mentally hijacked.

Digital Sustainability: The Internet Needs a Diet

Eco-Friendly Web Design
Now, they tell us they’re “saving the planet” with sustainable web design. Yep, because the web suddenly needs a smaller carbon footprint. So, they’re optimizing server loads, trimming down media, and playing around with “lazy loading” like it’s some grand environmental crusade. Don’t get me wrong, less energy use is a good thing. But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking the internet is Mother Teresa now.

The Whole “Green UX” Gimmick
Then there’s “Green UX,” where they streamline navigation so you don’t waste precious energy on extra clicks. Apparently, the future of web design is about getting you to your shopping cart with as few keystrokes as possible, all in the name of the environment. You feel like a good eco-citizen, but really, it’s just a more efficient way to get your money faster. If you think they’re doing it for Mother Earth, I’ve got some beachfront property on Mars to sell you.

Dopamine-Driven Colors: Web Design with a Twist of Manipulation

The Psychology of Color
Here’s where it gets really clever. Designers are using colors — bright, flashy, attention-grabbing colors — to make you feel good. We’re talking dopamine-inspired color schemes to keep you hooked like a lab rat on a lever. Turns out, if they make everything just the right shade of happy, you’ll stick around longer and maybe even click that “Buy Now” button.

Ethics? What Ethics?
But here’s the thing: when you start manipulating emotions for profit, you’re tiptoeing into some shady territory. Sure, dopamine-driven design sounds fun, but it’s like Pavlov’s dog with a credit card. Pretty soon, we’re just one step away from designing sites that use sound and scent to push you into emotional overdrive. They call it “engagement,” but you know it’s manipulation, pure and simple.

No-Code Platforms: Web Design for Everyone — Sort Of

Democratizing Design
Now, they’ve got these no-code platforms like Webflow and Squarespace that anyone can use. “Democratizing design!” they shout from the rooftops. Suddenly, you don’t need a degree in computer science to make a website; just point, click, and you’re in business. Sounds great, but here’s the rub: all that “democratization” means a lot of sameness. With everyone using the same tools, creativity hits a wall.

Customization Issues
And sure, no-code is fine for beginners, but don’t think for a second it’ll let you build the next Facebook. Advanced designers find these platforms pretty limiting when they try to get fancy. If you want true creative freedom, you still need the coding chops — or the money to hire someone who does.

The Business Side of Web Design: More Jobs, More Competition

New Jobs, New Titles
The web design industry is booming, with fresh job titles popping up every day. “AI-Driven UX Designer.” “Sustainable Web Strategist.” It’s like a whole new language. But the truth is, it’s the same web design hustle with a shiny coat of green paint and a lot more competition. If you’re good with AI and UX, you’re golden; if not, better brush up or get left in the digital dust.

Specialized Agencies and Higher Prices
With companies hunting for designers who can handle hyperreality and eco-friendly sites, agencies are cashing in by offering niche services. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about making the world a better place. It’s about staying ahead of the trend and charging a premium. Welcome to capitalism, digital edition.

Final Thoughts: Innovation with a Side of Skepticism

So, where’s web design heading? It’s a mix of excitement, ethical questions, and the looming threat of robots taking over creativity. On one hand, we’re looking at a digital future where websites practically read your mind, change colors to make you feel warm and fuzzy, and save the planet while doing it. On the other, we’re staring down a reality where tech controls us, and not the other way around.

Remember, folks, the digital world isn’t the “real” world. It’s a bunch of zeros and ones crafted to make you feel something and, ideally, open your wallet. Just be sure you know what you’re paying for. As always, the more things change, the more they stay the same — only now, they’re wrapped in a hyperreal, dopamine-soaked package.

If you’re enjoying the content on my blog and would like to dive deeper into exclusive insights, I invite you to check out my Patreon page. It’s a space where you can support my work and get access to behind-the-scenes articles, in-depth analyses, and more. Your support helps me keep creating high-quality content and allows me to explore even more exciting topics. Visit [patreon.com/ChristianBaghai](https://www.patreon.com/ChristianBaghai) and join the community today! Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Christian Baghai | Patreon

Skynet-1A: The Satellite That Went Rogue | Patreon

Sky News Australia: Bringing News, Right After Dark and to the Right of Reality | Patreon

Switzerland: The Secret Safe Haven for Organized Crime Beneath a Surface of Stability | Patreon

The Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI): It’s a Warship, Not an IT Department | Patreon

The Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI): A Warship That Thinks It’s a Server Farm | Patreon

The Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI): When a Warship Thinks It’s an App Store | Patreon

BFMTV’s Twitter Strategy: News or Just Outrage? | Patreon

Trump’s Trap: The Perils of Strongman Politics and the Path to a Forever War | Patreon

Understanding the Divide: How Trump Supporters React to Losing Versus, You Know, “Normal” People | Patreon

DJT Stock: The Roller Coaster That Forgot It’s a Stock | Patreon

How to Break Russia’s Propaganda Spell: A Plan So Clear Even They Might Censor It | Patreon