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Brutalist
Framework
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Construct Something Solid
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A FREE & Open Source Framework for the Brutalist Web Design Style
Built For Brutal Developers
Brutalist Framework is a resource built specifically for the brutalist web design trend. It is most ideal for...
- Static or dynamic websites & apps
- Small & personal projects
- Creative services / agencies
- Beginner & novice developers
Build Basic Brutality
Get back to the raw basics of web development. Brutalist Framework uses the following tech:
- HTML5 / CSS3
- Javascript / jQuery
- CSV, JSON, & XML
- Plain PHP
Utilitarian Classiness
The CORE of Brutalist Framework is comprised of utility classes that provide reusable CSS and javascript functions for rapid prototyping and front-end development. Utility libraries include:
- Colors & typography
- UI / UX components
- Animation & element effects
- Responsive behaviors
- Grids & layouts
Pre-Launch Groundwork
Prior to launching a new brutal website or app, understanding proper project planning is absolutely mandatory.
Lay the Groundwork » -
Static CORE
The CORE of BF is comprised of CSS and javascript libraries, which are used for the rapid prototyping of static HTML front-end elements and styling. There are 8 components that construct the CORE:
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BFX
Brutal Effects
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bIcons
Brutal Icons
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BUIX
Base User Interface & Experience
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BUFF
Blend Utility & Fancy Filters
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BUTCH
Base Utility & Typography Class Helpers
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Flavors
Color classes library
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FUX
Form User Experience
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ReBAR
Responsive Breakpoint Assistance Reference
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BAD-Assets
Brutal Anti-Design Asset Library
Includes Blueprint Grid
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Blueprint Grid
A multimethod grid library built with flexbox, CSS grid, and vanilla javascript. Create scalable mobile-friendly responsive website & application layouts.
«»B3Grid
Flexbox grid system with 4 unit types: Blocks, Bricks, Panes, & Tiles.
Bento Grid
Dynamic grid system with automatic element positioning.
Print Grid
A simple grid system ideal for printer-friendly content.
Chaos Grid
A grid for anti-designs. Randomly position, rotate, & skew elements.
CSS Grid
A grid system built with CSS grid for efficient and automatic element formation.
PolyGrids
An experimental grid system with multiple dimensions.
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Brutal CMS
A flat-file, databaseless content management system for building static or dynamic websites and applications.
STATUS: Under Development
Although Brutal CMS is well under way, it is currently around 50% ready. A BETA version may be available in the near future, which will be available via Github.Preview:
- Dependency-free, self-contained package
- Portable, built with raw PHP
- Create & update XML or CSV content data
- Generate static HTML or dynamic PHP pages
- System configuration & module management
MANAGE:
- Users
- Files
- Pages
- Blog posts
- Themes & layouts
- CSV data files
- Daily content
- Tasks & projects
- + more!
BOS Portal
- User registration & login / logout
- System application configuration
- Module management
File Management
- Upload and delete files
- Sort & filter interface with instant search
- 1-click copy file URL
- Public and private file folders
User Management
- Add, remove, and edit user accounts
- Permissions access levels
- Manage user groups
Task Management
- Assign tasks, projects, & roles to users
- Set project & task priority
- Mark completion status
CSV Data Management
- Manage CSV data files
- CRUD record editor
- Manage data groups
Daily Content
- Display custom content only on specific days
- Set default content for every day of the week
- Set custom fallback content
- Customize color scheme for each day
Blog Post Management
- Create 6 types of posts
- Specify post expiration date
- Associate posts with a category and tags
Theme & Layout Management
- Create pre-defined or custom layouts
- Create themes with custom color schemes
- Define wallpaper background classes
Page Management
- Create & edit page data
- Generate pages as either static HTML or dynamic PHP
- Password protect pages (require login to view)
- Specify page layout and theme
- Manage page groups
- Generate a sitemap.xml file
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Reference Mode:
Reference Guides
Free e-books and other resources about the brutalist web design style and how to develop applications with Brutalist Framework.
View All GuidesScreencasts
COMING SOON: Screencast video tutorials on working with BF.
unavailable
Brutal CMS Documentation
COMING SOON: Documentation for working with Brutal CMS.
Related Articles
Links to useful third-party articles on Brutalist web development & design.
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Brutalist Framework is a free and open source collection of PHP & HTML templates, CSS libraries, and javascript resources specifically for the brutalist web design style.
Background
Architectural Aspirations
Brutalism is a style of architecture that took off after World War II. Reaching its peak in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the style was a reaction to ornate, over-designed structures of preceding decades. The simple and raw of this architectural style allows for creatively ambitious structure design and objectives.
Intro to Brutalism in Web Design
Brutalism in web design is inspired by this distinctive style.
To learn more, read our FREE e-book:Building Brutality
To build brutality with Brutalist Framework, you'll need basic background and understanding of the following skills:
- HTML5
- CSS3
- Javascript & jQuery
- Basic PHP
- XML & CSV
- Creativity
- FTP (or web host file management)
- LAMP / WAMP / MAMP Server
(optional, but needed for running PHP on a local machine)
BF is ideal for beginner and novice web designers and developers who aspire to build their background, experience, and skillset in web design. BF is most ideal for:
- Personal blogs & websites
- Creative landing / splash pages
- Small business websites
- Other bizarre & miscellaneous projects
Purpose & Philosophy
A Concrete Purpose
Any creative project is made from a solid framework composed of raw components that can be used to create a product with a concrete purpose.
BF was created to provide a free and open resource to beginner and novice web designers and developers to encourage their professional journey and realize their true creative potential.The purpose of BF is to:
- Encourage creativity
- Embody distinctive design
- Enhance crude conventions
BF is intended as a solid foundation and starting point for developers to construct and create crude websites or web applications.
CRUDE Philosophy
Brutalist web design philosophy follows the CRUDE convention:
Creatively Cynical & Confrontational
Raw, Rugged, & Real
Uncompromisingly Unconventional & Unpolished
Deliberately Deconstructive & Dysfunctional
Extremely Exciting & Enthralling
This distinctive approach to web design is for those who desire and aspire to embody their unlimited creative potential. These more creatively cynical and raw designs may not be widely accepted by most target audiences. Through the brutality of trial and error can a brutalist design truly evolve into something successful.History
BETA Release
While exploring Material Design trends and resources, we stumbled upon the term "brutalist web design", and quickly found that we identified with this newly emerging trend. Seeing the lack of a simple and raw "framework" designed specifically for this trend, we conceived the concept of a "Brutalist Framework". By late fall 2016, a "BETA" version was released.
1.X Versions
The first official version was released on April 12, 2017. Development of the initial release continued through 2019.
2.0.2.0 Released
Version 2 introduced significant changes to the design and structure, as well as the introduction of bIcons.
Blueprint Grid Released
A new multimethod grid layout system project was created: Blueprint Grid. This was to become a separate, standalone project.
Resident Evil Versions
Versions 2.3 - 2.3.3 are known as the "Resident Evil" versions, due to the pretty pondering perched kitty and Umbrella Corporation interface.
First e-Book Launched
In January 2022, we created our first e-book: Intro to Brutalism in Web Design, which was to be the first of multiple reference guides relating to brutalist web design.
Brutal CMS Introduced
Development of the BETA version of a flat-file CMS written in PHP was introduced as a separate project.
3.0 Released
Involving a complete re-structuring and re-work of the core components, version 3 introduces basic PHP components and content based on XML and CSV files.
Future
BF will always be open source and available for free. Future versions will evolve, implementing new design styles and code elements. New projects may branch off from BF. Ultimately, the future of BF is one of revolutionary evolution, with the purpose of serving the development and progress of the digital creative marketing space.
For purposes of transparency, you can get an idea of what's being planned for future versions by viewing our Roadmap:
View Roadmap »
Brutal Blast
Stay in the know. Get occasional e-newsletter updates about new BF developments.
Blueprint Grid 2.2 Released
Blueprint Grid 2.2 is now available with the following updates:
- Added "Express" to B3Grid as a quicker and lighter layout method
- Updated CSS Grid with min- and max-content column width and other classes
- Added 13 new paper sizes to Print Grid
- Added landscape orientation support to Print Grid paper sizes
- Added ability to randomly scale elements in Chaos Grid (.randomize.scale)
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TOP-SECRET PROJECT
[CLASSIFIED]
Research and development of a completely unknown public project has begun. Due to it's paradoxical and dangerous nature, it is classified until further notice.
COMING SOON:
Baroquest Framework
STATUS: 95% ready
The fancy-pants "sister" framework of BF will be available by the end of January 2026.
Why are they "sister" frameworks?
- Both based on architectural styles
- Both terms ('brutal' & 'baroque') originate in France
- Both styles were popularized internationally
- They share similar core CSS structures
| Brutalist | Baroquest |
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CHANGELOG
Version 2.6
GENERAL:
+ Rearrangement and segregation of various CSS components into separate CSS files
+ Introduction of "BAD-Assets" library, including 50 transparent PNG images
Grids:
+ Updated to Blueprint Grid 2.2
BUTCH:
+ Segregated Flexbox layout into a separate CSS file
+ Introduced border-block-end/start classes to Boundaries
FLAVORS:
+ New flavors: apricot, brandy, grapeseed, indigo
+ New Concoctions: canary-lilac, raspberry-honey, roadway
2026 Roadmap
In 2026, development will have a heavy focus on the PHP version of BF, which is Brutal CMS. For some time, this has been a low priority, but Brutal CMS development will resume and there will be a strong push to get it released. Our goals for 2026 are as follows:
- Completion and release of Brutal CMS
- Documentation for Brutal CMS
- Minor Blueprint Grid updates
- Minor updates to the static core