In an earlier professional incarnation, I was a web designer. One of the things I got sick of were wannabe cartoon artists trying to impose their aesthetics on others. Almost inevitably, web design proposals tended towards the "sci fi" and "intimidating," rather than the "friendly." It was more an expression of the web designer's ambition than a desire to connect people.
Fortunately, web sites are getting friendlier all the time. One really good example is MIT's homepage. Accessible (hat tip to Clay), friendly, and useful.
No dancing baloney.
3 comments:
Has web design become less creative in the process of becoming more friendly? Was early web design art rather than commerce? Or were the designers, as you say, ambitious?
2 things. First, amazingly clean site. The polar opposite of almost every other institution. I've never seen a university site like it.
Second, creativity absolutely has it's place. And creativity is present in all good design--both in appearance and functionality. What is more creative than findind solutions? Art absolutely still has a place on the web, but each site has specific needs/purpose that may or may not be enhanced with F/flash. Sometimes, simpler is better. Just because a designer CAN do something, doesn't mean they should.
Well said, LK. To me, the cleanness is an invitation. Sort of like a clean sidewalk invites pedestrians and even sidewalk artists. I also like the way you work the social into your concept of art. But then again, you are an artist...
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