Web 2.0: an often used and misunderstood term describing the current digital landscape. Clip Art of the Month for March, 2010, takes a look at Web 2.0 design standards and what they mean to the Clip Art Community.

One of the most recognizable aspects of Web 2.0 design is having a bold color scheme. As pages have trended toward a simpler and simpler layout, areas of very distinct color can help promote organization in the layout. Lemming’s simple butterfly wallpaper provides a backdrop that might often be used in a Web 2.0 color scheme.

Gradients are more prominent in modern web pages, as they tend to soften areas of the screen that may have drawn too much attention to themselves before. If used effectively, they can also create the illusion of depth or of a non-linear surface.

Icons, like Andy’s trash can, are also playing a more important role in modern web page design. In the past, icons had a lower value in the context of a page, as they tended to be over-used. Today’s web layouts often employ fewer, more specially designed icons that carry greater meaning.

Among Apple’s many contributions to the Web 2.0 aesthetic, specular highlights, as well as “shiny” surfaces, can also add visual interest, while retaining a simple look and feel. Chrisdesign’s Color glasorb merges an operating system motif with the principles of this aesthetic.

The Open Clip Art Library team is excited to announce a sparkling new release today! The website has been re-launched with a sleek web 2.0 look, along with some exciting new features. A new focus on the art, using thumbnail previews, has made it much easier to find relevant graphics. Everyone is encouraged to make the most of this new release by filing bugs, requesting additional features, editing the site’s wiki, and, as always, creating an account and uploading original clip art!