The Digital Press

Three influential 90s web designers—David Siegel, Jakob Nielsen, and Jeffrey Zeldman—shaped early web design with distinct philosophies around aesthetics, usability, and emerging technologies like Flash and CSS.

Why it matters: Their differing approaches defined the evolution of web design standards and practices during the web’s formative years.

The big picture: Siegel embraced visual hacks and Flash, Nielsen championed simplicity and usability, while Zeldman balanced design flair with standards compliance.

The stakes: Early browser limitations and conflicting standards created challenges that influenced the web’s accessibility, visual creativity, and user experience.

Commenters say: Readers reminisce about the era’s experimental nature, debate the pros and cons of each guru’s approach, and note the lasting impact on modern web design.