The Best Web Design Examples of All Time
October 27, 2019
I started looking critically at the design of websites in 1999 when I first started shifting from being a multimedia designer to a web designer / Flash developer. Over the years I have kept a tab of the websites that have made the strongest impression on me in terms of being innovative and well designed. And here it is, my final, all time top list.
Please note. I debated whether to include Flash websites in this list. Of course Flash is no longer supported by browsers. However, in the end I decided this archive just wouldn’t be complete without them.
Wrangler Blue Bell by Kokokaka
The Wrangler Blue Bell website by Kokokaka is at the top of my list as one of the best websites ever. It was created using Flash, but this website was one of the most engaging and innovative websites I have ever come across. There are some videos of it on youtube. I particularly loved the way it drew you into the interactive space and the audio track they used was spot on in terms of establishing the mood. The interactive element of being able to move the model around was fun as well as functional.
Species In Pieces
A lovely interactive site. I particularly like the responsive design, subtlety, colours, and use of vector based graphics and animation.
Bruno Simon
Bruno Simon’s creative and original portfolio website set a new standard for what is possible these days in terms of a 3D web. This site includes a lot of really clever and fun details.
Laws of UX
I think Jon Yablonski is a web design master and his Laws Of UX site is a perfect example of a brilliantly composed and well optimised website. Laws of UX is also a fantastic resource for anyone into web / UI / UX design.
Nawlz
Created using Flash many years ago now, Nawlz was essentially an interactive online comic. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a big comic book and multimedia fan from way back, but I just found this website to be an absolutely amazing and somewhat groundbreaking work of interactive art / storytelling. If had to pick only one I would say that the original Nawlz site is my favourite of all websites, ever. Curiously I once met the creator of Nawlz – Stu Campbell briefly in a job interview.
Ecodazoo
Another ancient Flash gem. An immersive demonstration of early 3D using Flash.
Parallax.js
A relatively simple but beautifully designed demonstration of parallax.js by Matthew Wagerfield & Claudio Guglieri.
Bruno Quintela
Brilliant atmospheric three.js site. Especially cool if you have 3D glasses handy.
Jonathan Yuen
Another golden oldie, but still a goodie, is the Flash based portfolio website of Jonathan Yuen, originally created sometime in the early 2000’s (I think). I take my hat off to anyone that is able to create an immersive, beautiful, interactive world, like this one. Oh for the glory days of Flash.
Lost World Fairs – Atlantis
Lost World Fairs was an early demonstration of web fonts from way back when they were new. It also includes a clever play with masks and fixed layout elements elements. Created by the Trent Walton and Paravel.
Visit Lost World Fairs – Atlantis
Otherwise I hope you found you found this list interesting and or useful. If you feel that I have missed any particularly great websites please let me know via contact@henryegloff.com. 😎