Web design: A Flash-based website done right. Finally!
Just repeating what I wrote on The Google Cache about Adobe Flash and using it to make websites:
I used to hate Flash-based websites. Hmmm? Actually, I still do. I’d never seen a Flash-based site that made me want to make one. Instead, they all turned me off Flash. They all seem to be about showing off fancy animations.
Come on! Studies as long ago as the mid ’80s found people don’t like things flashing about on their screens, unless they ask for it. If people did like that sort of thing, the HTML blink command would be everyone’s favourite.
But I did say “I used to…”
That’s because last week I found a website that totally changed my view on Flash-based websites. (Although, that means I still hate most Flash-based websites.)
That site is Seymour-Powell
This is a site that is Flash done right. There are almost no automatic animations. Almost everything is static until you activate it. The exception is the “The Company” page, were images gracefully drift onto the right of the page. And the way it is done provides the least distraction and aggravation from an animation.
In fact, that is another secret of the Seymour-Powell site. All the animations, when you do activate them, are elegant, graceful and understated.
This is a site that makes me want to learn how to build Flash-based sites. And I never thought I’d say that!
Flash doesn’t have to be flashy. In fact it shouldn’t. It shouldn’t assault the senses.
Go have a look at Seymour-Powell to see how Flash should be done.
