The Beauty of Academic Web Design

Web design often swings between heavy skeuomorphism and stark minimalism. However, there is a middle ground found in academic websites—a style characterized by heavy serifs, neutral colors, and a focus on content above all else.

Why Serif?

Serif fonts like Playfair Display provide a high contrast that signals authority and readability. In a world of sans-serif startups, a serif headline stands out.

const styling = {
  fontFamily: 'Playfair Display',
  fontStyle: 'italic',
};

Neutral Palettes

Using OKLCH colors allows for precise control over perception. A background of oklch(0.985 0 0) is softer on the eyes than pure white, providing a paper-like feel.

Stay tuned for more updates on how I built this site using Next.js and Cloudflare Pages.