Recent discussions on this blog regarding the nature of web design, the 2.0 look, and where we should be taking inspiration from has led me to write this post with 10 of my favorite sites that do not look at all like the stereotypical web 2.0 site. I hope that this short grouping of sites can help explain to those who did not understand me before what type of sites I have been referencing. This is by no means a complete list, and there are new ones being added every day but these are definitely some of the best.
Omspace 2008
http://www.omspace.cn/blog/

Fray
http://www.fray.com

Buzzsaw Studios
http://www.buzzsawstudios.com/

Dulles Dodgeball
http://dullesdodgeball.com/

Sundance Film Festival
http://www.sundance.org/festival/

Edgewater Cottage Community
http://www.homesatedgewater.com/home

Cameron Moll Mobile Web Design
http://www.mobilewebbook.com/

Stuff & Nonsense
http://www.stuffandnonsense.co.uk/

TypeNeu
http://www.typeneu.com/

Jesús Rodríguez Velasco
http://www.jrvelasco.com/

January 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I think from now on so called lists of well-designed sites should not include any sites from creative services companies. These sites are made by designers for designers, and not for the general public, and hence defeat the point of truly useful design. No one really uses these sites on a day to day basis.
If you want a really compelling list then find sites that are usable outside the design community. The only one on this list that was well done that qualifies under that metric was homesatedgewater.com. The sundance site comes close but I found a cross browser error in 30 seconds. Firefox isnt that rare anymore… In my mind the dogdgeball one could have been close too…if it were actually more than one page.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Adam, I agree with your statement however, to be fair a cross browser error is bad execution, not bad design.
I think that I will try to assemble a list of site that deal directly with non-designers. I like the idea and am adding it to my list of articles to write… Thanks
January 24th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Adam,
Our site brings in most of our business. The site was built to attract the right kind of client. I could care less if designers are looking at. They don’t pay my bills or give me the work that I want.
Zinni… thanks for the post.
Best, TParsons
January 24th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Tim,
No problem, you guys do some great work and I am happy to spread the link love… I can definitely see how your site brings in the majority of your work, your portfolio is spot on.
Also, Congrats on being listed in “Graphics Alive” I love the Bellatazza stuff…
January 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Nice list!
Great for inspiration on moving away from the “web 2.0” scene.
My favorite would have to be Fray. However, they all look fantastic.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:57 am
I thought web 2.0 meant more interactivity w/ the visitor. Some of these sites might be nice looking but they don’t necessarily fit the web 2.0 idea.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Stuff and nonsense is indeed one of the better designs there. Some however are indeed web 2.0ish, they may not have graidents and shine but they have other features which reak of web 2.0