There are quite a few BIG A$$ sites out there with NO design what so ever.

They simply removed the graphics from vBulletin from the templates to save traffic and perhaps changed some color to something else to be more unique.

But I am sure there can be innivating designs out there which don't use any graphics. I see enough normal web sites that do this, why not forums?

Point me into the right direction, maybe I can use some of their cool approach to KISS design on omgboards.com :)

I am in two minds about this. I love graphics, but the nerd in me also loves the concept of a very visual site with no images, just CSS.

I can't think of any designs off the top of my head, but if I do I will post them.