I think many would agree that Apples graphic designers are cool guys.
So, lets cut them some slack.
The 2000s saw the homepage getting cleaner and sharper, with big, beautiful product shots front and center.
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Remember the Im a Mac, Im a PC ads?
Total game-changer, adding a fun twist to Apples vibe.
Starting in 2013, Apple began adding video icons next to their products.
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From 2017 to 2023, not much changedit all stayed stylish.
There were no more empty fields.
We kinda got used to the good stuff.
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Right now, in early 2024, Apples big sell is the Vision Pro.
Cant say I remember them ever doing this before.
Usually, the latest release just lands at the top.
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But then, theyve never had something like the Vision Pro on the market.
Vertical navigation stacks were the norm back then.
This layout design had a short lifespan, sticking around for just about two years.
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The left-side navigation was gone, with content now centered and streamlined.
Product visuals were clear and focused, with the Power Mac G4 taking the spotlight.
The homepage hero changed every month or so.
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And, btw, 99 was the year Apple switched its logo to a sleek white.
Did you notice the Apple icon turned red?
I have to say, the early 2000s design vibe was cool.
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By fall, the first iPod made its debut and stuck around.
Then in 2002, the spotlight was on the new iMac G4.
This became Apples showcase until years end.
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The ticker (hot news) turned gray, and the iReviews button was also removed from the top.
This became the centerpiece of their website.
Then, come summer, they refreshed their design and spotlighted the Power Mac G5.
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Overall, 2003 didnt bring any earth-shattering changes to Apples site besides spotlighting their latest gear on the homepage.
2004-2006
The 2004 design vibe stayed pretty consistent, with iTunes ads getting a refresh almost monthly.
Then the new iPod U2 edition dropped.
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In 2006, the Hot News Headlines had vanished from the homepage, bowing out completely.
It seemed folks no longer needed media headlines to be convinced of Apples cool factor.
This ad series exploded, with 66 episodes helping Apple highlight its innovative products and features.
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If youre curious, it’s possible for you to still catch many of them on YouTube.
Pretty slick, right?
After that, Apple released Mac OS X Leopard in a similar style.
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The websites navigation turned gray, and they started using a design trick called skeuomorphism.
Basically, skeuomorphism is when digital stuff is made to look like real-life things.
Apple pitched it as a way to introduce the new through the old.
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And if youve noticed, Apple still rocks this trick today.
2008-2009
The vibe was all about simplicity and clarity.
At the start of 08, Apples homepage spotlighted the iPhone Software Roadmap and then introduced the new iMac.
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In 2009, Apple added a new twist with video presentations for all products.
A Watch video button appeared next to product photos, which was quite a fresh feature.
By the way, Hot News Headlines is back.
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2010
This year, Apple stuck with the video presentation button for their products.
Spring brought in the iPad, summer was all about the iPhone 4, and fall featured the iPod.
The iPad launch in April was a big deal, adding a whole new product category to the homepage.
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They introduced the white iPhone 4 with just a simple Finally on the homepage.
But everything changed in October when Steve Jobs passed away.
The design was pretty stylish for the time, and pretty much everything else was in the same style.
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2013-2014
In 2013, Apples homepage got a sick makeover!
They revamped the navigation design, turning it into a sleek gray.
The whole vibe was minimalist, and the product shots?
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Overall, the design was about keeping colors minimal and looking sharp.
2014-2016
The design during these years?
The navigation got an upgrade to this black, semi-transparent look.
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Product images were now full-screen, no more boxed-in photos.
No harsh edges, and it looked wicked cool.
Theyre still rocking this style today.
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2017-2019
Starting in 2017, the design took a major leap.
No more free space; it was all about the new releases with catchy slogans.
Subtle text for pre-orders or pricing followed, and then the real eye candy.
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2018 had a similar vibe, but the top product shot was set against a black background.
The iPhone XR was showcased like this, with the XS right below.
2019 was all about repeating that formula but with even slicker and higher-quality photos.
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So, these three years had a similar theme, with the main difference being the products.
Each page section got bigger, with catchy slogans or purchase info added.
As usual, the design was refreshed every couple of months.
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Up top, youd find the latest iPhone, frameless, followed by slightly smaller icons for other gadgets.
It was all modern and cool, and it made finding what you needed a breeze.
Its exactly the same in 2023.
Maybe a little more colorful site, but still just as cool.
2024
Now, this is where things got a bit spicy.
In January 2024, the homepage was all about the Vision Pro.
We see this video of a chick wearing the Vision Pronot just a static photo like the old days.
She opens her eyes and shifts her expression a bit.
And there are only two buttons: Learn more and Buy.
Oh, and the top nav got a makeover, turning white and semi-transparent.
Well see what changes they bring next.
And yup, they added a new Vision section to the nav.
Just enter the desired site in the search box and go for the date.
