We've been exploring a few design directions at Takeover-Labs recently.
One rule we keep coming back to: "make it timeless"
Most websites today are built around what's working right now. Gradients, heavy animation, whatever UI pattern is circulating on Dribbble this month.
That's NOT inherently wrong. But in most cases it means a redesign conversation 18 months later when the site starts feeling dated.
Timeless isn't the same as minimal. It just means removing the parts that likely look odd in few years.
Sharing a few interface explorations we've been working through lately. Let me know your thoughts!