Comments on: A Time To Shine http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/ thoughts on | comments about | examples of } web design trends. Fri, 16 May 2008 19:18:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Andrew Faulkner http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43598 Andrew Faulkner Fri, 04 May 2007 11:54:21 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43598 As for most of the iconic trends, I don't think that the use of the 'wet floor' <em>makes</em> a good design. Designers (in the loosest sense of the word) shouldn't be thinking "This average design could be lifted by a wet floor effect." If the design is only average, there's probably a deeper reason for it. (Maybe bad grid ratios or placement of page elements.) But don't get me wrong, the wet floor effect can <em>enhance</em> a good design if used for a reason, as you say. As for most of the iconic trends, I don’t think that the use of the ‘wet floor’ makes a good design. Designers (in the loosest sense of the word) shouldn’t be thinking “This average design could be lifted by a wet floor effect.” If the design is only average, there’s probably a deeper reason for it. (Maybe bad grid ratios or placement of page elements.)

But don’t get me wrong, the wet floor effect can enhance a good design if used for a reason, as you say.

]]> By: Matt http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43600 Matt Fri, 04 May 2007 12:29:29 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43600 Personally, I'm pretty sick of these superfluous trendy effects. I have a huge respect for the designers who know when to stick to simplicity. The problem is, it seems many members of the community value stupid trends over solid design structure. Take a look at the top blogs (Wisdump, Avalonstar, Subtraction, Jeff Croft), these are designers who know when it's right to utilize functional and understated design features, and focus on the real important information (the content). These are the hallmarks of an experienced, professional web designer. Personally, I’m pretty sick of these superfluous trendy effects. I have a huge respect for the designers who know when to stick to simplicity. The problem is, it seems many members of the community value stupid trends over solid design structure. Take a look at the top blogs (Wisdump, Avalonstar, Subtraction, Jeff Croft), these are designers who know when it’s right to utilize functional and understated design features, and focus on the real important information (the content). These are the hallmarks of an experienced, professional web designer.

]]> By: Matt Davies http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43664 Matt Davies Fri, 04 May 2007 19:48:30 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43664 Take your point Matt but I find the example sites metioned a little missleading. These top blogs are information giving sites. There purpose is to put information in front of you as quickly and as simply as possible. Pretend you were selling razor blades - everybody knows what they do but you need to give them reasons for buying yours - those reasons or messages are what can be inforced by these 'superfluous trendy effects'. You try and sell somehting on a site designed like th blogs you mention - you'll have a job mate. What makes a "experienced, professional web designer" in my view, is one how has a balanced view on technology, layouts, marketing strategy, content and graphic design. Its easy to be an extreamist - its hard to get a balance. Take your point Matt but I find the example sites metioned a little missleading. These top blogs are information giving sites. There purpose is to put information in front of you as quickly and as simply as possible. Pretend you were selling razor blades - everybody knows what they do but you need to give them reasons for buying yours - those reasons or messages are what can be inforced by these ’superfluous trendy effects’. You try and sell somehting on a site designed like th blogs you mention - you’ll have a job mate. What makes a “experienced, professional web designer” in my view, is one how has a balanced view on technology, layouts, marketing strategy, content and graphic design. Its easy to be an extreamist - its hard to get a balance.

]]> By: Mark Perkins http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43668 Mark Perkins Fri, 04 May 2007 20:23:56 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43668 I'm not sure that Matt (not Matt Davies) was advocating the use of a blog-style site to sell anything. He was simply making the point that the designers that blog at these sites (which are in turn examples of their work) know that great design is not about big, brash, obvious 'effects' but attention to details and more often then not understatement rather than overstatement. Guaranteed we won't see Khoi Vinh or Jeff Croft chucking in a 'wet floor effect' or 'beta badge' into any of their designs anytime soon. I’m not sure that Matt (not Matt Davies) was advocating the use of a blog-style site to sell anything. He was simply making the point that the designers that blog at these sites (which are in turn examples of their work) know that great design is not about big, brash, obvious ‘effects’ but attention to details and more often then not understatement rather than overstatement.

Guaranteed we won’t see Khoi Vinh or Jeff Croft chucking in a ‘wet floor effect’ or ‘beta badge’ into any of their designs anytime soon.

]]> By: Ted Goas http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43677 Ted Goas Fri, 04 May 2007 21:31:59 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43677 Agreed, there is a time and a place to use the wet floor effect. I think it works nice when there is a single image the eye should be drawn to on a page (like the iTunes store). It also works well with some of the sleeker sites with shiny buttons and such, so long as it's not over used. I'd be interested to see some URL's where this technique's presence is out of place. Agreed, there is a time and a place to use the wet floor effect. I think it works nice when there is a single image the eye should be drawn to on a page (like the iTunes store). It also works well with some of the sleeker sites with shiny buttons and such, so long as it’s not over used.

I’d be interested to see some URL’s where this technique’s presence is out of place.

]]> By: dandyna http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43718 dandyna Sat, 05 May 2007 01:14:15 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43718 I have to confess I tried to make my personal playground to shine, one or twice, but always get terribly annoyed by it and tempestively removed. I mean, it is good if you are a Venice Hotel floating on the lovely laguna, but if it's just to follow some useless web2.0 tutorials and be trendy......then no, thanks. I have to confess I tried to make my personal playground to shine, one or twice, but always get terribly annoyed by it and tempestively removed. I mean, it is good if you are a Venice Hotel floating on the lovely laguna, but if it’s just to follow some useless web2.0 tutorials and be trendy……then no, thanks.

]]> By: Matt http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43725 Matt Sat, 05 May 2007 02:10:04 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-43725 @Ted (requesting to see URLs of incorrect using of the "shine" technique). Check out <a href="http://glennwolsey.com/2007/05/03/preparing-for-the-i-told-you-sos/" rel="nofollow">Glenn Wolsey</a>'s blog. He's a great guy and an excellent blogger, but I just don't like the overuse of "shine" in his blog post images. This is what I was referring to as "incorrect usage". Sure, <a href="http://www.inquisitorx.com/safari/" rel="nofollow">shine can look great</a> when done with restraint, but one must know when "enough is enough". @Ted (requesting to see URLs of incorrect using of the “shine” technique).

Check out Glenn Wolsey’s blog. He’s a great guy and an excellent blogger, but I just don’t like the overuse of “shine” in his blog post images. This is what I was referring to as “incorrect usage”. Sure, shine can look great when done with restraint, but one must know when “enough is enough”.

]]> By: Andy http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44544 Andy Tue, 08 May 2007 16:47:52 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44544 Yes, i love the apple glossy button look. Yes, i love the apple glossy button look.

]]> By: Stewart http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44684 Stewart Wed, 09 May 2007 10:17:32 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44684 I've never heard the term 'wet floor' before but I think I understand what you mean by it. I think it can really be used as long as the designer has produced it effectively. I'd have to say I have seen designers go over the top with glossy effects which make it look a but unprofessional. I think a designer should show flexibility when creating designs so that they can show they aren't a one trip pony. I’ve never heard the term ‘wet floor’ before but I think I understand what you mean by it. I think it can really be used as long as the designer has produced it effectively. I’d have to say I have seen designers go over the top with glossy effects which make it look a but unprofessional.

I think a designer should show flexibility when creating designs so that they can show they aren’t a one trip pony.

]]> By: Tim http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44757 Tim Wed, 09 May 2007 16:26:14 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44757 Oh my God, I just laughed so hard I gave myself a wet floor. Other key messages you could have enforced: Incontinence pants Dodgy washing machines. Dribbling. OR if we are talking about the 'frozen floor' look (which is much cooler) then we could enforce the key message of 'polar bear' and link it to global warming. Anyone? Oh my God, I just laughed so hard I gave myself a wet floor. Other key messages you could have enforced:

Incontinence pants
Dodgy washing machines.
Dribbling.

OR if we are talking about the ‘frozen floor’ look (which is much cooler) then we could enforce the key message of ‘polar bear’ and link it to global warming. Anyone?

]]> By: Andrew Faulkner http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44762 Andrew Faulkner Wed, 09 May 2007 17:06:13 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44762 There's always one. ;) I think you've now killed off the trend for good, Tim. There’s always one. ;)

I think you’ve now killed off the trend for good, Tim.

]]> By: Tim http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44768 Tim Wed, 09 May 2007 17:48:09 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-44768 Andy I hope not, the floor polishing industry must be protected (,") Andy I hope not, the floor polishing industry must be protected (,”)

]]> By: Matt Davies http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-48187 Matt Davies Mon, 21 May 2007 09:47:13 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-48187 Tim your a nutter!!! Hahahah! Seriously what are you saying? I appreciate my comments could be taken as a load of rubbish but justification is very important to me. How do you justify the way you used design elements? Tim your a nutter!!! Hahahah!

Seriously what are you saying? I appreciate my comments could be taken as a load of rubbish but justification is very important to me. How do you justify the way you used design elements?

]]> By: tim http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-49219 tim Thu, 24 May 2007 15:54:41 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-49219 Hi Matt! Sorry for taking the rise. Justification isn't important to me. IMHO you can't please all of the people all of the time, and as an artist, if you are doing what you enjoy and think looks (or sounds) right, then that's the important thing. Let other people make up their own minds I say. BTW hope all is well with you mate... Hi Matt! Sorry for taking the rise. Justification isn’t important to me. IMHO you can’t please all of the people all of the time, and as an artist, if you are doing what you enjoy and think looks (or sounds) right, then that’s the important thing. Let other people make up their own minds I say.

BTW hope all is well with you mate…

]]> By: Oliver Coningham http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-102557 Oliver Coningham Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:56:58 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2007/05/04/a-time-to-shine/#comment-102557 My favourite part fo this article is: <blockquote>Purpose is what distinguishes a professional form an amateur.</blockquote> However, I must also add that spelling and grammar also help! I like the wet floor work, when like you say, it as a purpose. Although I am guilty at times for using it just because I could. I think it gives an impression of sophistication, and class, but also helps in lifting elements from a page and giving it more depth. Oliver Coningham<a href="http://www.spongenewmedia.co.uk/" title="Visit the Sponge New Media website">Website design in Yeovil, Somerset by Oliver Coningham</a> My favourite part fo this article is: <blockquote>Purpose is what distinguishes a professional form an amateur.</blockquote> However, I must also add that spelling and grammar also help! I like the wet floor work, when like you say, it as a purpose. Although I am guilty at times for using it just because I could. I think it gives an impression of sophistication, and class, but also helps in lifting elements from a page and giving it more depth. Oliver Coningham<a href="http://www.spongenewmedia.co.uk/" title="Visit the Sponge New Media website">Website design in Yeovil, Somerset by Oliver Coningham</a>

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