None of those sites are good examples of what I would call web design. That's not saying they're 'bad' as some of the images are really cool (I even have a soft spot for pixel art) but it's not web design (imho) if it's just flash, large phototshopped images etc.
Most of them seem to be very 'designer' (in the bad sense i.e. art for art's sake)
Thanks Stupider, that was the meatiest design article I've read in a few moons and totally true. And I'm still waiting for someone to show me better web Designers (note the capitalization) than TheChoppingBlock....so far no one has knocked them out of the top spot...and I really WANT you guys to do it. I'm looking for inspiration and finding nothing but stylin'.
No prizes, I just figured that somebody could show me some really nice websites because darnit, they've proven very difficult to find~
I guess this goes to show that 'better' is in the eye of the beholder.
I found thechoppingblock to be mechanically impressive but also trying too hard. It looks like a polished and artistic commercial yet is far from the pinnacle of functional design. More like a NASCAR or a new and improved, ultra, super, hyper preservent laundry detergent... or maybe a rave flier.
In my opinion, spending a lot of time in photoshop or illustrator typically does little to improve a web site. Layouts designed to be unique rather than functional also fail to impress me.
Sure, their unique sites are appealing to design geeks. Designers are frequently drawn to more creative and unique work than that of the general public. When your job is to deal with design all day, it generally takes something quite different to perk your interest. The same phenomenon can be observed in other realms such as movies, television, fashion design, and music.
Some novice designers take a while to realize this fundamental difference in perspective. They frequently produce overly stylistic work that appeals mostly to other designers. With a bit of experience comes the realization that this type of work can be well executed but ill-suited for many audiences.
I will concede that thechoppingblock overly stylistic format is well suited for a site which provides entertainment (not a reference site for entertainment related info). Any site intended to be of utility should put more emphasis on information design than on artistic expression and technical grandeur.
Edit: I think that Dfiler DID go look at their other stuff, but I'm leaving the rest of this here because others might stop at the ChoppingBlock's own page and go no farther....
filer,
The page that you're seeing for ChoppingBlock is a temporary page, they update their own site frequently. I'm saying that ChoppingBlock's DESIGNS are among the very best on the web. Take a look at some of the stuff that they've done for their client, not the placeholder page they have on their own website. The range of designs that they do is truly "designerly" in that they customize their work toward the nature of their clients.
Their most consistent hallmark is the illustrative elements they tend to use, that's why I want to see the work of other web Design firms, not web stylists.
Really, go take a look at their portfolio. Also, check out their previous "Oranges"site.
I dont think there is much to Manhattan web-site, I was trying to point out that what I might think is the best in the world might be the totally opposite of what somebody else might consider "THE BEST IN THE WORLD"... depends what you are after.
Coclaveobscurum is very creative and well done, just a little confusing for the "masses".
I think its better because its MUCH easier to get around, 3 seconds maxiumum and you know whats going on. ChoppingBlock took me a while to figure out what the hell is happening.
Substance over style peoples
edit - and I am not talking about adding pointless substance (ie 3 fancy buttons just to get all the contact info)
I think its better because its MUCH easier to get around, 3 seconds maxiumum and you know whats going on. ChoppingBlock took me a while to figure out what the hell is happening.
Substance over style peoples
edit - and I am not talking about adding pointless substance (ie 3 fancy buttons just to get all the contact info)
the way all the stuff scrolls and the lines get really annoying
Comments
I prefer http://choppingblock.org/ myself.
Originally posted by drewprops
Prove me wrong.
I dare you!
What would constitute as "proving you wrong"?
Originally posted by rageous
I have about 20 friends than can and routinely do design sites better than that.
Post some links.
Makeshift - my friend Pascal
The Stronghold - my friend Stefan
Phirebrush - many friends of mine work on this site. Jason, Ansy (Kilik) and others (be sure to check out the old issues as well)
Originally posted by rageous
OneTribe - designed by my Friend Jared Karnes.
Makeshift - my friend Pascal
The Stronghold - my friend Stefan
Phirebrush - many friends of mine work on this site. Jason, Ansy (Kilik) and others (be sure to check out the old issues as well)
Your gonna have to post something from the other 16, because none of those come close to the chopping block site (either one)
They all look very "templatish"
http://www.thedesignersrepublic.com/
their Manhattan Loft Co web-site is the benchmark for web-design: http://www.manhattanloft.co.uk/mlc/
Most of them seem to be very 'designer' (in the bad sense i.e. art for art's sake)
I think this essay sums it up:
The Bathing Ape has No Clothes
No prizes, I just figured that somebody could show me some really nice websites because darnit, they've proven very difficult to find~
I found thechoppingblock to be mechanically impressive but also trying too hard. It looks like a polished and artistic commercial yet is far from the pinnacle of functional design. More like a NASCAR or a new and improved, ultra, super, hyper preservent laundry detergent... or maybe a rave flier.
In my opinion, spending a lot of time in photoshop or illustrator typically does little to improve a web site. Layouts designed to be unique rather than functional also fail to impress me.
Sure, their unique sites are appealing to design geeks. Designers are frequently drawn to more creative and unique work than that of the general public. When your job is to deal with design all day, it generally takes something quite different to perk your interest. The same phenomenon can be observed in other realms such as movies, television, fashion design, and music.
Some novice designers take a while to realize this fundamental difference in perspective. They frequently produce overly stylistic work that appeals mostly to other designers. With a bit of experience comes the realization that this type of work can be well executed but ill-suited for many audiences.
I will concede that thechoppingblock overly stylistic format is well suited for a site which provides entertainment (not a reference site for entertainment related info). Any site intended to be of utility should put more emphasis on information design than on artistic expression and technical grandeur.
Like I said? in the eye of the beholder
Originally posted by Lain
Personaly I worship:
http://www.thedesignersrepublic.com/
their Manhattan Loft Co web-site is the benchmark for web-design: http://www.manhattanloft.co.uk/mlc/
Design Republic... very cool...
Manhattan Loft site dont work... or rather... doesnt load any useful info
anyway... every seen this site? http://www.conclaveobscurum.ru/
filer,
The page that you're seeing for ChoppingBlock is a temporary page, they update their own site frequently. I'm saying that ChoppingBlock's DESIGNS are among the very best on the web. Take a look at some of the stuff that they've done for their client, not the placeholder page they have on their own website. The range of designs that they do is truly "designerly" in that they customize their work toward the nature of their clients.
Their most consistent hallmark is the illustrative elements they tend to use, that's why I want to see the work of other web Design firms, not web stylists.
Really, go take a look at their portfolio. Also, check out their previous "Oranges"site.
For the original poster, go to www.zeldman.com and be enlightened. He's a web design (well overall designer) genius.
And check the "externals" link for other great sites (some of the blogs suck, but sift through...lot's of good stuff).
I have learned alot from Zeldman.
Originally posted by ZO
anyway... every seen this site? http://www.conclaveobscurum.ru/
i have. love it. thanks i lost the link
Originally posted by ZO
Design Republic... very cool...
Manhattan Loft site dont work... or rather... doesnt load any useful info
anyway... every seen this site? http://www.conclaveobscurum.ru/
I dont think there is much to Manhattan web-site, I was trying to point out that what I might think is the best in the world might be the totally opposite of what somebody else might consider "THE BEST IN THE WORLD"... depends what you are after.
Coclaveobscurum is very creative and well done, just a little confusing for the "masses".
Some pretty cool stuff.
This guys has a pretty neat style, and is seriously into flash games. Check them out!
Matt
I think its better because its MUCH easier to get around, 3 seconds maxiumum and you know whats going on. ChoppingBlock took me a while to figure out what the hell is happening.
Substance over style peoples
edit - and I am not talking about adding pointless substance (ie 3 fancy buttons just to get all the contact info)
Originally posted by Lain
OK I was not really trying before, heres my entry to beat your best: http://www.johntayloronline.co.uk
I think its better because its MUCH easier to get around, 3 seconds maxiumum and you know whats going on. ChoppingBlock took me a while to figure out what the hell is happening.
Substance over style peoples
edit - and I am not talking about adding pointless substance (ie 3 fancy buttons just to get all the contact info)
the way all the stuff scrolls and the lines get really annoying
Actually their last site was better but these gods are the flash gods.
Originally posted by Mount_my_floppy
2 advanced are teh own!!1!!!!
Actually their last site was better but these gods are the flash gods.