The first graphical user interfaces were modeled on the metaphor of a desktop, with folders and windows that worked like papers scattered across a desk - not to mention the tidy bin by the desk for all that trash. The metaphor is still alive and well in today's operating systems, and it makes sense that designers would want to extend it by using paper textures in web design. Of course, most designers probably aren't thinking of extending the desktop metaphor when they base their work on the look and feel of paper, but these sites sure do look great.

Think Design

Kiddk

The Literary Bohemian

IDEO Labs

SpoonGraphics

Diego Latorre

SproutBox

The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

Carbonica

Fabrica De Caricaturas

Base6 Design

I'm Uraz

Bar-T

Art Attack

Noel Design

Think Up

Snipe.Net

Missing Pages

Lendl Allen V. Trazo

Studio 83

Narfstuff

Games For Her By You

Sko Design Lab

Mom & Popcorn

Shoebox

Dog House Cards

Le Blog De Gruny

The Resume Girl

Fred Stuart

Web Smarty

Despite being a purely analog object, paper-based web designs cover a range of styles: from modern to antique, retro to grunge. Let us know about your favorite designs that use paper as a central concept in the comments or check out paper logo examples on BrandCrowd.

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Written by Jo Sabin on Thursday, March 15, 2012

Jo Sabin is Head of Designer Community at DesignCrowd. She's led the company's public relations and social media programs since 2012. With more than ten years' experience working with Australian and international tech startups in the creative industries, Jo has been instrumental in meeting DesignCrowd's objectives in Australia and abroad. Get in touch via Twitter.