This is my first post on my first blog. Bear with the clumsiness.
Researching well-designed web sites is exciting and intimidating. Here are the first four examples I've selected. Wonder what I'll be choosing down the line. If you only have time to visit one, check out the animation in either the Turner Duckworth or Proteus site.
Marlena Agency solicits all kinds of illustration and art. Front page is striking and easy to comprehend at the same time. A consistent use of background shapes and colors provides a decent field on which to display the illustrations. Double clicking on an artist's illustration would also display their remaining portfolio along the bottom for more choices. CA Illustration Annual/09, pg140
Turner Duckworth is a full-service ad agency. Animation is entertaining as it constantly displays their huge inventory of work against a clean, white background. Navigation is simple and clear, including interior page scroll menus. Print NOV/DEC 2007, pg. 89
(This truck with their advertising "rolled" across the screen. Below is the news page link. The ! mark winks!))
Proteus Design is another great agency site. It offers a tremendous amount of information and work samples via a simply organized and efficient use of the entire window width. The eye always knew where to look for the next step. They also used a lot of animation that cycled many up-close images, but might have been paced a little slower. Site is fun, yet balanced well with photos and appropriate text. Print NOV/DEC 2007, pg. 257
Lastly, I offer this professional photographer's website. His use of a neutral (restful) background color lets his nearly full-screen photos do all the talking. As they should. The navigation is simple and precise; ordering forms and links to his stock site are quickly and clearly accessed. I could look at this stuff all day. Jason Lindsey is a local professional photographer. He travels internationally and shoots location work for all manner of clients, large or small. I don't have a book with his name in it, but it looks award-winning to me!
