May 5

Web Design

A different take on web menus »

Thanks to Chris Miller for pointing us to this interesting navigational approach by EffectiveUI. I like the idea that everything carries near-equal weight. Kind of like a book table of contents—it displays the linear layout but it also gives you a simple, in depth way to pick and choose.

The EffectiveUI interface

The EffectiveUI interface...

NEW in the Ideabook Design Store: Tintbook CMYK Process Color Selector...

» 1 Comments

May 2

Web Design

Using a silhouette as a transition »

Here is a nice example of how to use a silhouette as a transition from one section of a web page to the next.

Silhouettes in web design

The example is at the bottom of the page...

In the Ideabook Design Store: The Copywriter's Handbook...

» Comments

Mar 26

Web Design

Oops...found a design »

Sometimes it happens this way. You get started and find a solution within a solution. I'm guessing this started out as a web layout and someone had the clarity to say, why not publish it as a sketch? To me, the finished product is even more interesting than where it was headed.

1trickpony

1trickpony...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Page Design...

» Comments

Mar 21

Web Design

How to point potential clients to the strength of your design »

Watch how the folks at Erowe Design stage their portfolio as three dimensional objects. And how they feature a closeup of one significant element of the design. It is one way to simulate the tactile experience of holding the pieces. Click on “PORTFOLIO” then “FINANCIAL&rdquo for an example. Notice how the position and lighting reveals the gloss coating applied to the cover headline. Nice.

Erowe Design

Click on “PORTFOLIO” then “FINANCIAL&rdquo for an example...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Design-It-Yourself: Graphic Workshopa...

» Comments

Mar 3

Web Design

Don't reinvent the wheel—it may be in a design pattern library. »

As Christian Crumlish, curator of Yahoo's Design Pattern Library puts it, "Design patterns mean different things to different people." Suffice it to say, to a communications designer, they offer a look at (and code for) the structure and layout of the parts and pieces of web interface design. They are the best practices for creating elements such as tabs, forms, and selection devices for helping the user move around, browse content, and otherwise interact with a web page. The idea of the library is to ease the development of wheels that have already been invented and to propagate the use of proven practices.

There are many such libraries. Here are a few to get you started (I'd love to hear about others you have found useful).

The Yahoo Design Pattern Library

The Yahoo Design Pattern Library...

A site for a book titled, The Designing Interfaces: Patterns for Effective Interaction Design...

The site of interaction designer Martijn van Welie...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Moleskine Notebooks...

» Comments

Feb 29

Web Design

How to create a compact design »

I like the spare nature of Funnel Creative's site. It is small, compact, and easy to navigate. No bells, no whistles, and no man-eating animation. Bigger is not always better. Flashy is not always the best solution. Complex is not the only path.

Funnel Creative

The Funnel Creative portfolio...

Funnel's front door...

In the Ideabook Design Store: FontHead Typefaces...

» Comments

Feb 18

Web Design

Choices within choices »

Watch how the designer gets you to explore topics here. Just below the title "Explore/Themes" you can choose to page through a series of other choices and remain on the background page. Interesting take. By the way, this is a recently launched makeover of the British Museum site.

By the way: I realize I often point to the obvious. I do so because I believe to truly understand a particular design structure, you need to identify and examine the parts of its foundation. Looking back, many of the most useful lessons I have learned were communicated by someone showing or describing something others considered too obvious to mention. I love simplicity—it is (by far) the most complex, difficult form of communication.

The British Museum

Browsing topics...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Graphics For Business...

» Comments

Feb 1

Web Design

Web design from beginning to end »

Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain is among my favorite designers. I have used some of his web page structure ideas recently in my own work. His layouts are simple, elegant, and accessible. Here, he shares a behind the scenes look at the development of a web for Embrace Pet Community.

The Embrace Pet Community web design by Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain

Embrace Pet Community web design...

More from his portfolio...

» Comments

Jan 7

Web Design

Watching for navigational design ideas »

ShopComposition.com is a retail store web site that demonstrates some different ways of doing things. I doubt you will buy into all of the navigational bells and whistles—I find some are not intuitive—but it will certainly get you thinking. Thanks to my friend Daniel Will-Harris for pointing me to it.

ShopComposition.com navigational ideas

ShopComposition.com navigational ideas...

BTW, do you know Daniel Will-Harris? If you don't, you're in for a treat...

» Comments

Jan 4

Web Design

Revealing your personality through your design »

Jeff Bridges is not only a talented actor, he has an eye for design. His web is a series of sketches and handwritten notes that (to me) make him seem friendly and accessible. Thanks to Sharon Carro for pointing us to his work.

Jeff Bridges' Sketchpad

Jeff Bridges' Sketchpad...

» Comments

Dec 31

Web Design

An innovative way to highlight text »

Move the mouse cursor over the text that reads “GRAMMY NEWS”—instead of highlighting the text, the designer applies a soft glow to the background. A very subtle, effective technique I have not seen before.

A very nice way to highlight text

Move the mouse cursor over the text that reads “GRAMMY NEWS”...

» 2 Comments

Dec 28

Web Design

How to organize a web catalog »

McMaster-Carr boasts over 450,000 products. Their site is a great example of simplicity and usability. The austere design and limited use of images gives it a matter-of-fact look and feel. Be sure to play with it to see how subcategories, listings, and ordering are handled. Yes, it is extreme but I admire their willingness to stay lean.

McMaster-Carr

The McMaster-Carr catalog...

» 1 Comments

Dec 15

Web Design

A rather bizarre Christmas message »

Appears that the stress of the Christmas season has reached the folks at FutureMedia. If you have anything to do with web design, you'll appreciate this rather unconventional interactive holiday card.

FutureMedia Christmas

It's a bit different...

» Comments

Nov 12

Web Design

A fluid use of flash »

Nessim Higson presents a very interesting use of Flash on iamalwayshungry.com. The layout changes and elements are repositioned as you resize your browser window or click parts and pieces of the design.

Nessim Higson's iamalwayshungry.com

Nessim Higson's iamalwayshungry.com...

» Comments

Nov 5

Web Design

The clinical look »

This is a very interesting, kind of “clinical” look for a German scientific organization: The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. I like everything about it. The delicate forms, the color palette, the way the layout is adapted to each page type, the use or type, and the sparse, bright illustrations.

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science...

Another example of an information-rich interior page...

» Comments

Nov 2

Web Design

Toyota's Mind »

North Kingdom, the Swedish interactive design firm, has created what they term a new branding site for Toyota Sweden. It is a combination of fantasy and fact in the form of a floating island in the sky. Suffice it to say, “Salvidor Dali ain't got nothin on Toyota.”

Toyota Sweden

The world of Toyota...

» Comments

Oct 22

Web Design

A web that sells one product »

With so many wonderful tools and techniques available to us, it is easy to lose focus and to get overly complicated with a design. This web, though it sells a whole line of products, shows them in a singular way. It puts the product front and center in a neutral, gallery-like environment and sells on the merits.

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates...

» Comments

Oct 19

Web Design

A form to function rollover »

Here's a nice use of rollovers. The designer highlighted the form of the products using outlines. Then, as you rollover them, the outlines change into full color examples of how they are actually used. Nice color palette too.

Colad rollover illustrations

Rollover the outlined products to see the transformation...

» Comments

Oct 3

Web Design

New look at Barnes & Noble »

The site makeover of bookseller Barnes & Noble is worth some study. They are now using a classic serif/sans serif combination—a flavor of Bodoni and a condensed sans serif (it looks close to several but the fact that I can't find an exact match makes me wonder if it isn't a custom face. Comment below if you have an idea).

I particularly like the color palette of bronzes, teals, greens, and gold. Each of the sections—the cover, B&N Review, B&N Media and so on—has its own distinctive look yet they all clearly fall comfortably within the family.

Barnes & Noble has been carving out this “modern elegance” style for a while now, this makeover really cements it for me.

Makeover at Barnes & Noble

The makeover at Barnes & Noble...

A New York Times-like review section...

And B&N Media...

» 3 Comments

Sep 28

Web Design

A portfolio in motion »

Kashiwa Sato is an artist/designer. Schooled a graphic designer, he is the type of creative director that often brings as much “product” to his projects as the client does. Like his projects, the web for his studio Samurai is sharp, colorful, and quirky.

Kashiwa Sato and Samurai

Kashiwa Sato and Samurai...

» 1 Comments

Sep 24

Web Design

Put on your sunglasses, here comes Webbliworld »

WebbliWorld, brainchild of Aardman Animations (the folks who brought us Wallace and Gromit), is a “gateway to the internet for children.” It is home to the Webblis—“an irresistible and quirky gang of World Wide Wanderers—characters that reflect a range of personality traits so there is always at least one with which every child can identify.” It is certainly bright and inviting.

WebbliWorld, brainchild of Aardman Animations

WebbliWorld, brainchild of Aardman Animations...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Task Force Clip Art...

» Comments

Sep 21

Web Design

A measured approach to web design and usability »

A design that does not reflect the logic of human interface is crippled. If you are interested in the science of web design, you are certain to find valuable insight on usability.gov and in the accompanying book titled, Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines. This methodical look at the process by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services includes the type of detail sometimes missing from general business discussion.

A guide for developing usable and useful Web sites

Usability.gov: A guide for developing usable and useful Web sites...

Free access to the book, Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Templates for InDesign, QuarkXpress, or PageMaker...

» Comments

Sep 19

Web Design

A different type of web menu »

This looks like such an obvious organizational solution to web menuing (a type of basic breadcrumb approach). I wonder why I haven't seen it used more often. Each primary subject heading is followed by its secondary headings. Simple hunt and choose.

A different type of web menu design

The menu system below the Form logo...

My big list of web design resources at Jumpola.com...

» Comments

Sep 10

Web Design

Amazon.com does some remodeling »

Amazon is no known for cutting edge design, but when an organization this significant does a site makeover it is certainly worth analyzing. Studying its grid, layouts, terminology, focus, and so on, offers valuable insight into what we assume is working well for millions of customers.

amazon.com remodeling

After...

Before...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Getting It Printed...

» Comments

Aug 6

Web Design

Design ideas: A fluid, peaceful look and feel »

Play with the width and depth of your browser window on this the home of Christian author Philip Yancey. It is the rare case (at least in my experience) when adjusting images and text to the width and depth of the reader's browser window seems to work. If you've read any of Yancey's books I think you will agree the designer has captured the spirit of his work.

A fluid, peaceful look and feel

Yancey's site...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Creative Business CD-ROM...

» Comments

Jul 25

Web Design

Sideways »

A few nice things happening here: The amorphous logo, the horizontal page orientation, the color-coded city sites. And, of course, I will be forever in their dept for introducing me to the Swedish Street Knitter site.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters...

The Swedish Street Knitter...

In the Ideabook Design Store: FontHead Typefaces...

» Comments

Jul 4

Web Design

Making ugly work for you »

If I am unable to come up with a sound solution to a design problem, it is typically because I am not looking outside the room. With Magnetbox, Ben Tesch proves that letting go of the designer's instinct to create elegant, smooth imagery can result in something that is truly unique.

An unlikely combination at foroalfa.com

Elegant ugly...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Design-It-Yourself: Graphic Workshop...

» Comments

Jun 29

Web Design

Lemon yellow pledge »

I pledged I would never use lemon yellow. Then I ran across FOROALFA.com. I like it.

An unlikely combination at foroalfa.com

An unlikely combination...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Task Force Clip Art...

» Comments

Jun 27

Web Design

Design ideas: Black to white »

Two interesting ideas from designer Nathan Borror. Note his unique icon menu and an the dramatic effect as he switches from black to white backgrounds.

playgroundblues.com

The home page is black...

Article pages are white...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Templates for InDesign, QuarkXpress, or PageMaker...

» Comments

Jun 22

Web Design

Udderly weird »

It don't get much weirder than this from the Japan Dairy Council.

Japan Dairy Council

And I doubt the ability to read Japanese would make it any more clear...

In the Ideabook Design Store: The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book...

» Comments

Jun 20

Web Design

Design ideas: Video banners »

There are a number of interesting ideas incorporated into the recent makeover of the Earthbound Farm web. A time and temperature stamp for Carmel Valley (I have always liked the idea of giving your web a sense of place), an elegant vehicle for presenting still photographs (below), and some very cool motion pictures used in the place of static title images.

Earthbound Farm's video banners

The time/temp stamp (upper right) and the video banner...

To see the elegant presentation of still photographs, click the “WHY ORGANIC” drop down menu and select “VIRTUAL FARM TOUR.” (note that if you wait a few seconds, the images within each category circulate...

In the Ideabook Design Store: The Color Harmony Guide...

» Comments

Jun 15

Web Design

Packaging usability »

Packaging is a fascinating design discipline. The content of the One80Design.com site demonstrates the innovation you would expect but the way the site is structured offers some lessons on usability. For example, watch how they reveal project details in stages:

One80design

They begin with a menu of projects...

Give you an overview...

And offer a one-page case study of the project in PDF format (212KB)...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Graphics For Business...

» Comments

Jun 8

Web Design

Design ideas: Mixing fact and fantasy »

Such a nice idea. This designer overlays fantasy (illustrations) with fact (photographs). The effect is warm and welcoming—a traditional look with a contemporary bent.

Mixing illustrations with photographs

Mixing illustrations with photographs...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th edition...

» Comments

Jun 6

Web Design

Design ideas: Subject/design contrast »

This site, dedicated to the response and recovery of the Red Cross following September 11th, (to me) demonstrates that there are no hard-and-fast rules about matching a design to its subject. My inclination would have been to make this site “warm” but the designer chose “cold.” An insightful choice I think. Using a rather technical looking, nothing-but-the-facts layout under girds the presentation of an unusual mix of information--the human story, the nitty-gritty of the services provided, and the controversy over funding.

Red Cross

With great respect...

» Comments

Jun 1

Web Design

Design ideas: Is background art dead? »

Background art and patterns were big in the early days of Web design. Today? Not so much. I suppose the idea lost favor because is made pages so visually dense. This application (for the School of Visual Arts) works for me, it adds to the design's “work-in-progress” feel.

School of Visual Arts

To get the full impact, expand your browser to maximum width...

The isolated background image...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Art Parts Clip Art...

» 1 Comments

May 30

Web Design

Design ideas: The submarine effect »

Small matter, but I like the way the ruled line bisects the menu and the information block below it.

Submarine menu

West Side Organics...

In the Ideabook Design Store: Design-It-Yourself: Graphic Workshop...

» Comments

May 21

Web Design

Design ideas: Focus on the menu »

What caught my eye here was the undulating menu at the top of the screen. It expands with the number of drop-down selections—interesting effect.

An interesting menu design

Glaceau Vitamin Water...

» Comments

May 18

Web Design

Design ideas: Systematic illustration »

Very interesting to see the systematic approach Frog Design has developed for illustrating its Web. One large anchor illustration with (in many cases) a few small insets. It is a good reminder of the principle that complex subjects beg simple presentations.

Frog Design

An example of the format...

Take a look around, there is much to see...

» Comments

May 4

Web Design

Design ideas: Using the unexpected »

This site features a totally unexpected visual metaphor: a rusty old refrigerator. It works.

an unexpected design

Luke Stevens Design...

» Comments

Apr 27

Web Design

An alternative to the page-by-page Web model »

Place all the information on one surface and to show the user how to navigate it.

samaritans

The Samaritans of Singapore...

» Comments

Apr 19

Web Design

Seeing something else »

Even more than the design, what strikes me about Jonathan Yuen's Web is how differently he thinks. The color palette... how the images build sequentially... how clicking a link sets off an animation... how the parts and pieces move around the screen. For those who fear there are no new ideas—courage. (Suggested by Will Sherwood.)

Jonathan Yuen

Jonathan Yuen's Web...

» Comments

Apr 11

Web Design

Virtual worlds »

I have long been fascinated by virtual, interactive environments—Myst comes to mind. It has got me thinking, how can I incorporate the concept of traversing the page into conventional business Web design? Any thoughts? An interesting example of this idea is the fictional city of Zarovka (you click and hold the mouse button to zoom forward).

Zarovka

Zarovka...

» 1 Comments

Apr 4

Web Design

Mirror what you sell »

Design Within Reach sells classic modern furniture and associated products. The DWR site features a simple wire frame—a very effect foundation on which to present its products.

The Design Within Reach store

Design Within Reach...

» Comments

Mar 19

Marketing PR

Organizing identity guidelines »

If you've ever attempted it, you will deeply appreciate the thought and energy that went into building this comprehensive identity guidelines site for John Hopkins. Beautifully done.

pgplne_johnhopkins.jpg

The John Hopkins Identity Guide...

» Comments

Mar 16

Web Design

Don't like this world? Create your own. »

This just goes to show you can come at marketing a product from a million different angles. Makes you wonder—if I sat you down and challenged you to help me sell mint gun, where would you head?

pgplne_coolbreath.jpg

Cool Breath Power...

» Comments

Mar 9

Web Design

The economical use of color »

The economical use of color (green, red, black) and type gives the GreenHomeGuide placid feel about it—almost a non-design.

pgplne_greenhome.jpg

GreenHomeGuide...

» Comments

Mar 5

Web Design

Adding screen previews to your Web »

Snap allows you to add high quality, informative link previews to your site. I've seen it used on a few sites recently and thought it was worth sharing.

pgplne_snap.jpg

The Snap site...

» Comments

Feb 16

Web Design

Interesting menu treatment »

Brown University offers an interesting way of organizing a lot of information. Roll over the listings here and up pops an anchor image for each section.

pgplne_brown_univ.jpg

The Brown University home page...

» Comments

Jan 29

Web Design

A pale palette »

Haven't seen this pale yellow, gray/green combination for a while. It provides a great neutral setting.

pgplne_tcm.jpg

Turner Movie Channel...

» Comments

Jan 26

Web Design

Creating a sense of excitement »

Great energy on this page—the burst stripes draw your eye to the center—the imagery is interesting and fun.

pgplne_name.jpg

Generation Church...

» Comments

Jan 12

Web Design

For those who like the “there's a lot happening here” look »

If you like the “there's a lot happening here” look (I do), this site offers an excellent model.

pgplne_worship_together.jpg

www.worshiptogether.com

» Comments

Jan 10

Web Design

The power of the close-up »

A great example of leaning on a single, powerful design element: simple, close-up photography.

pgplne_delicousdays.jpg

www.deliciousdays.com

» Comments

Jan 8

Web Design

Motion picture moves »

By separating the foreground images from the background images, this page creates some interesting, motion picture-like movement.

pgplne_maxtor.jpg

www.maxtorsolutions.com

» Comments

Jan 3

Web Design

Big Time Attic »

This a wonderful example of how to use a Web to tell a story. I particularly like the frantic Christmas trees.

pgplne_bigtimeattic.jpg

www.bigtimeattic.com

(The illustration style reminds me, a little, of Robert McCloskey...)

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey (at amazon.com)

» Comments

Dec 20

Web Design

Design ideas: Out of the ordinary color »

An unusual but striking color combination.

pgplne_emotions.jpg

www.emotionslive.co.uk

» Comments

Dec 15

Web Design

Wayback: The Web page time machine »

Ever wish you could recall Web pages (yours, your client's, your prospect's, and any other) as they appeared four or five years ago? You can—whether you have a practical interest or simple curiosity, the Wayback Machine has recorded over 10 billion pages (multiple copies of the entire publicly available Web) since it began archiving in 1996. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when Adobe.com was touting Photoshop 4.0 and cnet.com was recommending a bargain, $2000 133-MHz Pentium computer

pgplne_wayback.jpg

The Wayback Machine...

» Comments

Dec 13

Web Design

Design ideas: Dimensions »

The name plate is a nice example of melding two- and three-dimensional elements.

pgplne_vote.jpg

An example...

» Comments

Dec 11

Web Design

Design ideas: Neutrality »

Like the neutral atmosphere of a fine art gallery, a black and white Web environment makes the introduction of color that much more dramatic.

pgplne_adams_morioka.jpg

www.adamsmorioka.com

» Comments

Nov 15

Web Design

Design ideas: Matching elements »

There is a mountain of information here, but the Spartan nature of the design and navigational structure perfectly match the simplicity of the subject.

pgplne_carnation.jpg

carnations.org.uk

» Comments

Nov 13

Web Design

Design ideas: Show and tell »

A good example of how “show” is often a better way of communicating than “tell.”

pgplne_freshdirect.jpg

www.freshdirect.com

» Comments

Nov 10

Web Design

Rubbermaid: A sound structure »

This site is almost “over-designed,” but the thinking behind the architecture, navigation, and presentation is impressive.

pgplne_rubbermaid.jpg

This is the main site...

An example of an information module devoted to a specific product...

» Comments

Oct 23

Web Design

Subtraction.com: Precision layout »

The precision of the layout and the organizational insights behind the presentation of the information at Subtraction.com are second to none. Khoi Vinh, the Design Director for NYTimes.com, is its host and architect.

pgplne_subtraction.jpg

The cover...

An article example...

» Comments

Oct 16

Web Design

Design ideas: Simple lines and shapes »

Another simple, light Web design.

pgplne_postal_museum.jpg

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/queen's/

» Comments

Oct 9

Web Design

Design ideas: Good mix »

Effective use of color, type, and animation.

pgplne_ecoton.jpg

The cover:

https://www.ecotonoha.com/index_en.html

The tree:

https://www.ecotonoha.com/ecotonoha.html

» Comments

Oct 6

Web Design

Design ideas: Web metaphor »

An interesting Web metaphor: A book inscribed with handwritten headlines.

pgplne_gamble.jpg

http://www.terrygamble.com/

» Comments

Oct 4

Web Design

Design ideas: “About this site” »

Note how the site above and this one, both designed by Daniel Will-Harris, include an “About this site” page that features credits for the contributors. Nice touch.

pgplne_electriceggplant.jpg

http://www.electriceggplant.com/davidmccullough/about.htm

» Comments

Oct 2

Web Design

Be2do.com: Antique-like illustrations »

This interesting site, created by an Istanbul design firm, uses lots of antique-like illustrations and jewelry pieces to create a rich, complex environment.

pgplne_be2do.jpg

http://www.be2do.com/

» Comments

Sep 29

Web Design

Tazo.com: A print-like Web »

To me, the Tazo Tea site looks a lot like a print piece. It boasts a wonderful earthy palette and an interesting mix of still life photographs, intricate typographic treatments, and many ornamental illustrations. I particularly like the effect of steam rising from the cups.

pgplne_tazo.jpg

http://www.tazo.com

» Comments

Sep 22

Web Design

Design ideas: Image as metaphor »

An interesting use of real images as metaphors.

pgplne_metaphors.jpg

http://www.gtalondon.org/staff.php

» Comments

Sep 20

Web Design

Design ideas: Subtle use of color »

The subtle use of images and color really work well here.

pgplne_anne_griffin.jpg

http://www.annagriffin.com/index.html

» Comments

Sep 18

Web Design

Design ideas: Feathered edging »

Interesting how feathered gray edging is used to set off various sections of this page.

pgplne_canadel.jpg

http://www.canadel.ca/workshop.php?lg=en

» Comments

Sep 15

Web Design

Design ideas: Anti-complexity »

At times, clean design and sound thinking trumps complexity.

pgplne_sandstrom.jpg

http://www.sandstromdesign.com/

» Comments

Aug 25

Web Design

Redwoodcreek.com: Flash animation »

This site offers some of the most interesting examples of Flash animation I've seen. When you “Enter” Redwood Creek, the first screen offers a wonderful, gently animated line illustration reminiscent of a fruit crate label. Click each major section to zoom into and out of other scenes.

pgplne_redwood.jpg

http://www.redwoodcreek.com/

» Comments

Aug 23

Web Design

Design ideas: Illustrated menus »

Wild, illustrated menus.

pgplne_aardman.jpg

http://www.aardman.com/

» Comments

Aug 21

Web Design

Design ideas: Letting pictures tell the story »

Crisp, bright images tell the story better than a graphics-intensive design.

pgplne_design_partnership.jpg

http://www.design-partnership.com/

» Comments

Aug 4

Web Design

Design ideas: Lush color »

Nice combination of images and solid colors. Great photography.

pgplne_lushcafe.jpg

http://www.lushcafe.com

» Comments

Jul 31

Web Design

Vancouver Culture Guide: Practical and attractive »

Thank John McWade, the editor of Before & After for sending me this link. It was produced for an AIGA conference a couple of years ago to showcase local attractions, shops, and restaurants of the host city. Very nice, thanks John.

pgplne_vancouver.jpg

http://powerofdesign.aiga.org/cultureguide/flash_content/index.html

» Comments

Jul 26

Web Design

Havaianas.com: A flip-flop fashion statement »

How do you make flip-flops a fashion statement? Build a brand around them. Havaianas.com is an amazing, fresh site that is worth taking a look—you'll need a high-speed connection. I love the illustration style and color palette.

pgplne_havaianas.jpg

http://www.havaianas.com/

» Comments

Jul 24

Web Design

Design ideas: Telling a story »

Very nice example of Web story telling—literal and figurative.

pgplne_storyteller.jpg

http://www.homesoflastingcharacter.com/marshall.html

» Comments

Jul 14

Web Design

Design ideas: Anchor illustrations »

I like how the designer of this site uses an anchor illustration for each issue.

pgplne_collins.jpg

http://www.jimcollins.com/index.html

And uses little snippets of the illustrations to archive past stories.

http://www.jimcollins.com/lab/index.html

» Comments

Jul 7

Web Design

Design ideas: Using motion »

The motion here certainly captured my attention.

pgplne_audacity.jpg

http://www.audacity.co.nz/

» Comments

Jun 30

Web Design

CSSZenGarden.com: Demonstrating the power of CSS »

As its head “cultivator,” Dave Shea describes the css Zen Garden as a collection of pages that demonstrate what can be accomplished visually through CSS-based design (Cascading Style Sheets). The folks who submit designs also include the actual style sheet used to create their pages. The designs and code are an excellent source of inspiration and information. An example.

pgplne_csszen.jpg

http://csszengarden.com/?cssfile=154/154.css

The official list of designs.

http://www.mezzoblue.com/zengarden/alldesigns/official/

The Zen Garden cover page.

http://www.csszengarden.com/

» Comments

Jun 21

Web Design

Joshua Davis: Once-upon-a-forest.com: »

Joshua Davis is a New York based artist, designer, and technologist producing both public and private work for companies, collectors, and institutions. This site offers some great examples of his fascinating illustrations.

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http://www.once-upon-a-forest.com/

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Jun 16

Web Design

OM Records logo »

Color me crazy, but for some reason, I love the OM Records logo (don't have a clue about the music but I'm nutty about the logo). I came across it on the designer's site (Capacitor Design Network)—it takes some doing to get to it, but I think it's worth the trip:

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http://www.capacitornetwork.com/CDN2002_c.html (then click > Work > OM Records)

And here it is in use:

http://www.om-records.com

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Jun 12

Web Design

Design ideas: A different shape »

How do you get attention? Do something different with the same space everyone else is using.

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http://www.n-gage.com/worms/wwp.htmlh

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Jun 9

Web Design

Design ideas: Form and function »

I want you to see how this designer draws you into his Web using an illustrated street scene (following the intro). Very effective both visually and functionally.

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http://www.pedestriandesign.com/

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Jun 7

Web Design

Design ideas: Showing what you say »

Great illustrations show, at a glance, something that is difficult to say. Check out this striking use of color and image.

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http://www.rkdinc.com/remedy99_Web/reaching.htm

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May 29

Web Design

Viva-graphics.com: Not a clue »

Got a clue what this is all about? I like it, but I don't get it. Be sure to check out the “graphics” section.

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http://www.viva-graphics.com/

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May 26

Web Design

The cost of curiosity »

You can make great discoveries by following good designs to their sources but the process can be costly. For example, in my recent search for Christmas gifts I happened across...

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fanciullafoods.com (on the Wayback Machine)

a Brooklyn, New York-based bakery. Look pretty good don't they? The perfect holiday gift for a client, yes? Well I never found out. I was so struck by the simplicity of the site's design and the effective use of photography that I abandoned my shopping and followed a link to the site's designer: Steven Gross.

http://www.ssgphoto.com/botanic_P07.html

http://www.ssgphoto.com/industrial_p06.html

Nice stuff, “What else has this guy designed?” So I took a look at his list of links and found his brother, illustrator, artist Alex Gross...

http://www.alexgross.com

Any question who designed Alex's site? Looks and feels a little like Fanciulla's doesn't it? Then I started looking at Alex's illustrations and decided to buy a print (this is the costly part. I was looking for gifts and ended up spending $50 on myself).

http://www.alexgross.com/prints/Print_shokei.html

By the way, if you appreciate Alex's unusual illustrations, the print I received is exquisite. It is printed in Ultrachrome archival inks on fine matte paper using an Epson 2200 printer. The colors are stunning—color that could not be produced by a printing press.
From baker to artist? As I found out from Alex, Fanciulla is his sister-in-law's bakery (perhaps some grand conspiracy of creativity).

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May 15

Web Design

Design ideas: Film moves »

Check out how this designer uses film-like “panning” moves to highlight photographs...

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http://www.bocaresort.com/

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May 14

Web Design

Designbyfire.com: The world of Herasimchuk »

Andrei Michael Herasimchuk was one of the first official interface designers hired at Adobe Systems. The fact that he was a key player in the development of the interfaces for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is sufficient reason (for me) to recommend his personal Web.

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http://www.designbyfire.com/

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May 12

Web Design

Design ideas: Cutouts »

I love the simplicity of these paper cutouts. They provide a distinct contrast to the digital environment in which they appear...

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http://www.cio.com/archive/111504/guide.html

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May 10

Web Design

Design ideas: Using unexpected elements »

A high-end fabric and furniture destination wraps its sight in brown paper and accentuates it with black and white photographs...

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http://www.zimmans.com/index.html

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May 5

Web Design

Honda.com: Book metaphor »

To explain its “Integrated Motor Assist technology,” Honda gets us to do a new thing in an old way: turn the pages of a book...

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http://www.honda.co.uk

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Apr 24

Web Design

Design ideas: Warm personality »

I've been searching for warm sites—sites with visual personalities that are, to my eye, warm and welcoming. Here are a couple that strike me that way. Your thoughts? Warm sites you've found?

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http://www.flowerbud.com

http://www.teacupsoftware.com/

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Apr 3

Web Design

Vitra.com: A simple grid »

It doesn't get simpler than this site, home of furniture manufacturer Vitra. Just goes to show complicated is not necessarily better.

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http://www.vitra.com

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Mar 29

Web Design

Weirdness »

If you believe that crop circles are the work of creatures from Neptune—skip this one—I'd rather not be the one to burst your bubble. That said, I love the design of circlemakers.org—for me, it is both bold and attractive.

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http://www.circlemakers.org/

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Mar 1

Web Design

Pirated-Sites.com: Design “theft” suspects »

Pirated-Sites.com showcases side-by-side comparisons of Web sites that are suspected of borrowing, copying or stealing copyright-protected content, design or code without permission. It is guaranteed to increase every designer's heartburn that we have seen something, stored it away in our heads, and later will design something that looks a little too much like the original.

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Pirated Sites...

Pirated-Sites.com: Design “theft” suspects

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Feb 27

Web Design

Design ideas: Symmetry »

What makes this design distinctive? The colors, the typefaces, and the illustrations certainly are well chosen, but the thing that makes it work for me is the underlying symmetry or balance of its elements. I'm a sucker for symmetry. I am drawn to it in nature, in architecture, and in graphic design. (And forever pursuing it in life.)

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http://woodchuck.com (from the Wayback archive)

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Feb 22

Web Design

Secondstory.com: The premiere interactive design studio »

I'm certain you know Second Story, but if you don't I'm excited to be the one to introduce you. It is, in my book, the premiere interactive design studio in the world. Its list of clients testifies to that fact: The Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution, Discovery, National Geographic, PBS, DreamWorks, Kodak, and so on.

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http://www.secondstory.com/

Or right to their extensive portfolio of projects:

http://www.secondstory.com/collected.php?SubjectMask=0&PurposeMask=0&FormatMask=0

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Dec 21

Web Design

2advanced.com: Flash with a reason »

Complaints about Flash sites have become cliche, “Nothing but zooming typefaces and blinking arrows,” they say. While it is true that much of what I see is mere decoration, panning the process discounts those who are using Flash to rethink how we organize information and to build interfaces to extraordinary new tools.

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If you think Flash is just flash, to meet 2advanced...

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