The Future of Web Design: Will We Even Recognize It in 100 Years?

Web design as we know it is barely recognizable when compared to the first websites that graced the internet in the mid-’90s. From the garish, blink-filled monstrosities to today’s sleek, responsive, and mobile-optimized experiences, the evolution has been dramatic, but it’s only the beginning.

So, what will web design look like in 100 years? Is it even possible to predict? Spoiler alert: probably not. But that won’t stop us from taking a wild, controversial dive into the future.

First, let’s be clear: the role of web designers won’t be the same in 100 years. And honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s something unsettling about the notion that our current profession, or at least our specific tasks, could be replaced or drastically altered by AI, machine learning, or perhaps even something far more complex than anything we can comprehend now.

As it stands, technology is changing the way we design faster than we can update our portfolios, and this is likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Will We Still Be Designing Websites in 2125?

It seems like an obvious question, but it’s one we’ve got to ask. The very idea of “websites” could become as obsolete as the dial-up modem, a relic of the past.

What happens when virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or even direct brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) take over as the main way we interact with the internet? Could the flat, pixelated world of a website be replaced by something immersive, tactile, or perhaps even “experienced” in a way we can’t yet fathom?

Let’s not forget the growing presence of voice interfaces, AI assistants, and holographic technology. As we move into more immersive digital experiences, the distinction between “designing” a website and “designing” a space or an environment might blur.

As web designers, we may find ourselves designing entire virtual worlds or directing the flow of a VR experience, rather than simply laying out web pages. If that’s the case, then the title “web designer” might evolve into something more akin to “virtual architect” or “experience engineer.”

The End of the Screen?

Here’s a truly controversial thought: What if the concept of a screen becomes obsolete? The flat, glowing rectangles we use to access the internet today could give way to more integrated and seamless experiences.

Imagine the internet coming at us in the form of holograms, or interfaces so immersive that they exist directly in the space around us, projected into our eyes through augmented reality lenses or directly into our brains via neural links.

This would mean that the very idea of a webpage would no longer make sense. Instead of designing individual elements for a screen, we could be designing entire environments that interact with our physical world.

Elements would shift based on context, attention, and environmental factors, creating a dynamic experience that responds to where you are, who you are, and even how you feel. This sort of “ambient computing” could make the idea of fixed-page layouts look laughable.

The End of Pages, Navigation, and Information as We Know It

Here’s the most radical thought: In 100 years, web design may not even be about “pages” anymore. The entire structure of what we understand today as a website—pages, navigation menus, static content—could be totally irrelevant. The old paradigm of going to a website might not even exist. In fact, the very notion of “navigation” might be dead and gone.

Instead of clicking through pages or scrolling down a long stream of information, users might enter fluid, ever-evolving experiences that adapt and respond to their behavior, preferences, and context.

The internet could become an omnipresent environment, always on, always adjusting to us. Want to know something? Instead of searching for it on a page, it could be projected into your space or directly fed into your brain via a neural interface. Forget about “browsing” the web. You’d just experience it.

We might interact with digital information not by browsing pre-set pages, but by moving through immersive environments, pulling data from the ether as needed. That means that what we think of as “web design”—the act of arranging pages and structuring data into neat, clickable formats—could give way to designing a constantly flowing, adaptive, and personalized stream of information that never feels like it’s organized, because it’s always changing and reacting to us.

AI: The Designer’s New Best Friend… or Worst Enemy?

Right now, artificial intelligence (AI) is making a lot of waves in design circles, with tools like Figma’s auto-layout and Adobe’s Sensei pushing the boundaries of what designers can do without lifting a finger. But in 100 years, we might not even have to lift a finger.

AI could evolve into such a sophisticated force that it can design websites on its own, personalize experiences, and even create content that feels human, while looking better than any designer could imagine.

This presents a serious dilemma. On one hand, it would free up designers from mundane tasks, letting us focus on higher-level strategy and creativity. On the other hand, what happens to the profession when an AI can design better, faster, and more cost-effectively than any human can?

Could we be looking at a future where human designers are simply curators of AI-generated work? Or will AI be the ultimate collaborator, augmenting our creative abilities in ways we can’t yet comprehend?

Perhaps we’ll see a split, where designers focus on the emotional, human side of things—building empathy, understanding user needs, and crafting brand identities—while the machines handle the repetitive, formulaic aspects of design. But still, this raises a very real question: Could AI eventually outgrow its need for human input altogether? It’s not unthinkable.

Will We Need to “Design” at All?

Let’s take this a step further. What if the act of “designing” becomes irrelevant? If we step into a world where AI and machine learning are so advanced that they can predict and react to a user’s every move, could the user experience itself be fully personalized and dynamic, eliminating the need for pre-designed structures altogether?

Consider the possibility of a website—or, more accurately, an entire digital experience—that doesn’t have a fixed layout at all. Instead, the design would continuously morph and evolve based on the visitor’s preferences, behavior, or even emotions.

Users might not navigate websites anymore; the websites would simply present themselves as ever-shifting experiences. The experience could adapt in real-time, creating a truly personalized interface that dynamically responds to who you are, what you need, and what you want.

That’s a long way from the rigid, grid-based designs we work with today, and it suggests that “design” in the traditional sense may no longer exist. Perhaps we’ll no longer be designers of websites, but of experiences, creating the frameworks and systems that AI can then fill with content.

Technology and Humanity: A Seamless Integration

Perhaps the most mind-bending concept to grasp is how technology and the web will not just coexist with humanity in 100 years, but fully merge with it. The boundaries between the digital and the human experience could disappear entirely, giving rise to a seamless integration where you no longer even notice you’re interacting with a “website” or “app” in the traditional sense.

Imagine the possibility of a fully immersive, fully integrated experience where our thoughts, movements, and senses are all synchronized with the digital world. Brain-computer interfaces could allow us to access the internet directly through our minds, bypassing screens and keyboards entirely.

The web could become an invisible layer woven into the fabric of our reality, reacting to our mental and physical states, responding to our desires before we even voice them.

This merging of tech and humanity could mean that the web isn’t something you visit—it’s something you live, breathe, and experience in your daily life. As designers, our role might not be to create pages or interfaces at all, but to design the very systems that enable this integrated experience, shaping how information flows directly into our minds and bodies in a way that feels effortless and intuitive.

In this world, there would be no need to “browse” the web, because the web would always be with you. There would be no clicking through menus or typing in URLs; the information you need would appear in your peripheral vision, in your thoughts, or even as sensations in your body, responding to your every need.

We’d be connected to the internet in the most intimate way possible, in a seamless, always-on, data-driven state.

The Human Touch

This is where things get really interesting. As we barrel toward a future where technology can do more and more of the heavy lifting, there will always be the question of the “human touch.”

Can machines replicate the creativity, intuition, and empathy that a human designer brings to the table? Perhaps. But maybe not in ways we currently understand.

In 100 years, the most successful web designers may be those who understand not just how to design, but how to communicate with and direct the AI tools that are shaping the digital world. The future designer may not be someone who is excellent with Photoshop or code, but someone who knows how to program a machine to think like a human, or better yet, program it to make its own decisions.

But don’t be fooled into thinking the human designer will completely disappear. There will always be a need for that spark of creativity, that understanding of human behavior, and that ability to tell stories in ways that resonate with users on a deeper, emotional level. Even as machines take over more tasks, there will always be a place for human intuition, imagination, and empathy in design.

Is This a Utopian or Dystopian Future?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Is all of this a utopia or a dystopia for designers? On one hand, the future could be incredibly exciting. Imagine a world where we can design for fully immersive environments, free from the limitations of current technology.

We could have more freedom, more creativity, and more opportunities to create stunning, personalized experiences for users. On the other hand, what if it all goes too far? What if the machines take over completely, leaving us to wonder what happened to our profession? Will we be designing AI interfaces for robots who design for robots?

The truth is, it’s impossible to say for certain. What we can say, however, is that the future of web design is far from dull. Whether we’re designing for VR, AR, holograms, or brain implants, the next 100 years will undoubtedly bring radical changes to the way we think about design.

But at the heart of it all, there will still be one crucial element: the need for creativity, problem-solving, and human-centered thinking.

So, will we recognize web design in 100 years? Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure: It will be one hell of a ride.

Noah Davis

Noah Davis is an accomplished UX strategist with a knack for blending innovative design with business strategy. With over a decade of experience, he excels at crafting user-centered solutions that drive engagement and achieve measurable results.