Modern design companies like the New Jersey Web Development team are focused on creating minimalist designs to highlight main content. This new trend is characterized by elegant typography, large stunning images, and concise text. A lot of people actually compare it with Japanese principles: things like Zen, balance, and simplicity. It's strange that many Japanese website designs do not reflect this philosophy.
An Odd Contrast
Japan is a land of living metaphors where tradition and modern influences quietly work their way into everyday lives. If one is lucky enough to stay in Japan, he would notice the crowded streets, the chaotic jumble of bright signs, and the rush of pedestrians. Compare that with Japanese way of life: the silence around Zen gardens, the healing atmosphere of hot baths, and the silent footsteps of the elders.
It seems that the principles and ideas they hold dear are not often conceptualized into their designs. Their websites are mainly a reflection of their busy urban lifestyles: with clashing color schemes and tiny low resolution pictures. Although there are cutting-edge Japanese websites that feature innovative flash and cute use of company mascots; there are still plenty out there with cluttered pages and confusing layouts.
Possible Explanations
A logical theory regarding this odd style of Japanese web design is cultural differences – mainly: language barriers. Latin-based characters like English for example, are easy to transform. They can be italicized, capitalized; can be underlined and be written backwards. Even with these changes, the meaning of the texts would still remain the same.
Unfortunately, this practice cannot be applied to languages with special characters like Chinese and Japanese. The slightest alteration, like a period or incorrect spacing, would make a huge difference. It's possible that the words will have a whole new meaning altogether. This is most probably why most Japanese websites have a uniform theme: tightly-packed texts with multiple columns.
Another factor would be technological aspects. Even with the popularity of smartphones and touchscreens, plenty of Japanese people still prefer flip-phones. These practical devices are even preferred by many compared to the latest smartphone model. Because of the flip-phone's limitations when it comes to user interface and display size, it's possible that Japanese web developers have contented themselves with old layouts to satisfy the numerous flip-phone users.
The way that consumers and companies behave is also different in contrast to the West. The Japanese are not easily persuaded by beautiful pictures or marketing messages. They would need assurance that a certain product or service will be worth their time and money. Hence, a Japanese retail page would contain long product descriptions and even testimonials. In addition, Japanese people rank high in the world as a reading population. Their love of the written word must have spilled onto their web design tactics.
The Future of Japanese Web Design
There's already a handful of creative Japanese websites; particularly in gaming and gastronomy. Although Japanese website design is different and rather disorganized to the Western eyes, it's a unique peek into the Land of the Rising Sun.