Irresistible Websites: Part One
August 13, 2008
What makes a website irresistible? In other words, what visual elements are most successful in enticing the viewer to take a closer look? This post begins a series looking at websites employing striking design techniques to attract visitors.
To better understand the factors at play in the range of sites featured, each post will focus on a particular style or theme. In the very first installment, the theme is Lush: websites which employ rich, detailed arrangements of graphics to showcase their content.
N.Design Studio
Nick La’s blog is an exercise in visual opulence on many levels: colour, subject matter, detail, layout.
Phizz
Grunge designs are very popular. The graphic style in the header is also frequently used in design: multiple layered images, icons and contrasting perspectives, overlaying coloured ornamental swirls. Phizz employs visual techniques have strength in their appeal and popularity.
Beto Lima
Streaks of sun breaking through a cloudscape: a visual element becoming popular on websites. Beto Lima uses an unusual colour pallette for a fresh take on a familiar idea.
Dara’s Garden
A venue for weddings and other special events in Tennessee. A floral wallpaper is overlaid with illustrations of floral arrangements and sepia photographs in keeping with location’s heritage and style.
Catalina Estrada
The richness of the imagery in this site is the work of Catalina Estrada, an illustrator based in Barcelona.
Jet
A Flash site with beautiful illustrated border imagery, depicting floral motifs, oversized diamonds and patterns.
What these sites have in common include a layering of imagery, attention to detail, motifs evoking freshness and vibrancy and unusual or beautiful combinations of colour. Have you seen any sites which you think should join this list? Suggestions are welcome.
Next in the series
The theme for my next post on Irresistible Websites is Playful: sites which show a sense of fun in their design and tone. Be sure to subscribe and catch the rest of the series!
- Irresistible Websites Part One: Lush
- Irresistible Websites Part Two: Playful
- Irresistible Websites Part Three: Textures
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9 Responses to “Irresistible Websites: Part One”
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Some very appealing designs with a few I hadn’t seen before – well done and I can’t wait for part 2!
Brian’s last blog post … Would You Pay For Guest Posts?
[...] rende un sito web irresistibile? Il primo post di una serie di Tracey Grady cerca di analizzare quali sono gli elementi visuali che attraggono [...]
Brian:
I’m glad you liked it! I prefer to find as many sites as I can which aren’t being widely showcased already. N.Design is an example which is very well known, but deserves its inclusion in the list.
I hope you like the rest of the series, too.
http://www.knowtebook.com says thank you for your nice inspiration entry
What a lovely collection of sites. I fell in love with Catalina Estrada when I saw her work in Computer Arts – simply jaw dropping!
Lucinda:
I know what you mean. I first saw her work in an edition of “1001 Arabian Nights” which features illustration plates by several well-known illustrators. I have a copy; it’s a beautiful book and it’s great for some quick inspiration. Her site is also a great showcase for her work.
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n.design studios still brilliant every time i see it… great site!