A History of Design Tools
Eight eras on the shelf. The last one is still being written.
Design library
1960–1980
Pencil & Paper
1984–1995
Desktop Publishing
2000–2012
Skeuomorphic Design
2012–2016
Flat Design
2014–2018
Material Design
2018–2021
Dark Mode Era
2019–2024
No-Code Revolution
2025–Now
Agents Era
Timeline
1960 - 1980
Pencil & Paper
1984 - 1995
Desktop Publishing
2000 - 2012
Skeumorphic Design
2012-2016
Flat Design
2014-2018
Material design
2018-2021
Dark Mode Era
2019-2024
No-code Revolution
2025 - Now
Agents Era