This week on Friday Focus: the most popular color on the planet, blue. After the immense popularity of green (and pink?) during the Web 2.0 wave, it looks like web designs are going back to everyone’s favorite color. And we have a bucket full of examples to prove it.

It’s eye-catching headers this week on Friday Focus. Whether you believe in making the most of the content above the fold or not, it pays to make the top part of your websites extra beautiful because it’s the first thing people see.

Elegant, exquisite, and extreme details on these sites that are sure to please. Welcome to this week’s Friday Focus!

I don’t know if I am a fan of minimalism because I picked out these websites. But I like to appreciate designs that stand out not because they’re loud and proud, but because they’re calm and clear. Silent waters run deep, they say. I like to think restraint is more powerful than the lack of it, especially in design.

You know that flaming text effect that was so hip pre-dotcom bubble burst, very Web 1.0? Well, don’t overdo it, it’s a bit tacky most of the time. Sometimes, however, it’s exactly what you need, so why not take a look at this quick and dirty tutorial for Photoshop? Let’s start burning that type!

Two very different designs but with one common thread. What’s the moral of this week’s Friday Focus?

Looking for that cracked, distorted effect in a font for your website, but you’re not finding a free font that cuts it, nor do you have the budget to cash up for a commercial license? Never fear, using Adobe Illustrator, a photo, and a suitable non-distorted font, you’ll be able to create your own unique beaten-up look. Zoe tells how in this tutorial.