Archive for the ‘Websites’ Category
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Smashing Magazine put together an interesting article regarding website table of contents that I think is well worth mentioning. While it has been dugg many, many times recently, I wanted to post it here for future reference. As the article referenced accurately, most of the time website table of contents pages are extremely boring and dull. Why not create a ‘revolution’ of sorts and apply some creativity to this page! Most of the examples they show are derived from books, however as several of the commenters there mentioned, “inspiration for creativity can be found in a multitude of places.”
Popularity: 5%
Posted in Websites | No Comments »
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
Business Week published an article in June that contained their “10 Commandments of Web Design, distilled from what they say was a bevy of “Internet luminaries.” Many of the tenets listed are practical and relevant. Unfortunately though, they managed to break one of their own commandments while publishing the article. Some of the points they listed are marginal in my opinion (#5, #6). If you’d like to read their entire article, click here. Here are their 10 Commandments without all of the “fluff” from the original article.
- Thou shalt not abuse Flash.
- Thou shalt not hide content.
- Thou shalt not clutter.
- Thou shalt not overuse glassy reflections.
- Thou shalt not name your Web 2.o company with an unnecessary surplus or dearth of vowels.
- Thou shalt worship at the altar of typography.
- Thou shalt create immersive experiences.
- Thou shalt be social.
- Thou shalt embrace proven technologies.
- Thou shalt make content king.
So, are you wondering which rule Business Week broke on their own site with this article?? Number 3. They took an article that should have taken up one page and spread it over two pages causing the reader to have to click through to a second page primarily filled up with advertisements. Irritating. Content is king. Wisely laying your content out is extremely important too. Creating content that gives the reader a great experience is extremely important. Business Week failed in its implementation of those aspects in regard to their content.
Anyhow, there’s the list. I’m not sure why it took an entire group of uber-Interneters to come up with this list. Most of us could have come up with a list that is equally as impressive while sitting on the couch at home…
Popularity: 31%
Posted in Design, Web Designers, Websites | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
While searching for wood grain textures yesterday, I found Alex Buga’s website. Yes, it does have a great wood texture in the background, but I saved his site to highlight other features that I like about it.
- As noted before, I like it when sites include hand drawn elements. Alex’s site does this very well with the character sketch and introduction. I also like the fluffy little clouds scattered here and there. The footer also incorporates more hand drawn elements.
- I also like his choice of colors.
- The pendant light is cool. I really like the way it “lights” up his comments section. Very clever idea.
- Navigation menu. Simple and not overloaded with too many choices. I don’t necessarily like the “skip to content” feature as it doesn’t really accomplish much (I can scroll down an inch and a half just as easily as I can hit that button). But, this does not take away from the nice, simple navigation menu he’s created.
So, check out his site and let me know what you think of it. I think it’s great!
Popularity: 44%
Posted in Headers, Navigation/Menu, Web Designers, Websites | No Comments »
Monday, June 30th, 2008
Graphic designers, web designers, artists, and photographers can all find something cool to enjoy at Scott Hansen’s website, ISO50. Not only are there great visual artistic examples, but the music playing on the site has also been created by Scott as well. I have to say that while I was writing this post, I was definitely “enjoying the groove” of his music. Smooth, mellow and relaxing are the first words that come to mind if I were asked to describe his music. Some of it kind of reminds me of the music from the future in the movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (I’m dating myself here…aren’t I?!).
ISO50 is definitely a feast for the eyes and ears. Lots of retro style art, grunge, and other enjoyable genres. Take a few moments to visit his site and check out the pictures, logos, websites and everything else that he’s designed. He’s definitely a busy, yet successful designer!
Popularity: 6%
Posted in Design, Graphic Design, Web Designers, Websites | No Comments »
Monday, June 30th, 2008
There are some really great looking “retro” style websites out there. How do you classify a site as retro? My opinion of what may cause a site to be labeled as retro is really pretty simple. It simply needs to remind me of advertising from really old magazines or television shows. Textures, colors, logo styles…stuff that resembles things that were in print 40, 50, 60+ years ago.
The MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company website is a prime example of what I consider a retro website. Its overall appearance is smooth and classic. It’s not shiny or glossy. It also uses really good, classic color combinations. Their website also matches their product packaging well too. This is something to remember as a web designer. Having a website that matches up well with a customers products or product packaging helps create an entire professional appearance that always scores well with the public.
Anyone else have some examples of great looking retro websites? Let me know!
Popularity: 7%
Posted in Web Designers, Websites | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
While looking for another site today, I came across a link that took me to an awesome 3D site called Screenvader. With many of these kind of sites, it took me a minute to figure out the navigation. Of course, I spent some time playing around and watching the screen tracking my cursor (I fall for that one everytime, haha).
Anyhow, check out the site when you get a chance. In my opinion, it’s a great combination of simplicity in its appearance, yet it’s very advanced in its navigation and use of three dimensional effects.
Popularity: 7%
Posted in 3D, Navigation/Menu, Usability, Websites | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
I found an article on SixRevisions.com (I like Jacob’s site…alot) that showcased several different sites and their usage of paperclips. In the past, we have featured a couple of sites that had paperclips on them too. Personally, I like this trend. However, I will only continue liking it if it doesn’t become a pervasive item placed on websites everywhere. I think the use of a paperclip, tape, staples, post-it notes, etc. is great for those sites with a “laid back style.”
What do you think?
Popularity: 8%
Posted in Design, Layouts, Websites | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
Sound like a far fetched comparison? It did to me too at first! However, as I read the article, I began to appreciate the author’s ability to draw parallels between the two. When you get a chance, read the full article and let me know your thoughts on the author’s points. I would enjoy discussing them with you.
Popularity: 3%
Posted in Internet, Management, Websites | No Comments »
