60 The State of Web Design Trends: 2012
Launched in August of 2011, The Expressive Web is a superb inter-
active demonstration of HTML5 and CSS3 capabilities, acting as a
one-stop-shop for all kinds of web trickery. It also serves to show
how supportive Adobe are of web standards.
Scrolling, Vertical Narratives
I can’t think of a better title for this bit, sorry. So what am I talking
about? Vertical scrolling.
It’s a daily task for web designers to play down the importance of
the fold. The fold is impossible to define, what with the plethora
of devices and resolutions these days, so content “being above it”
shouldn’t be a client’s number one priority in a design solution.
We’re embracing vertical scrolling. The rise of mobile devices has
reminded people that they can scroll and there is relevant content
below the first few pixels of a web page. Some designers have
taken this to the next level and made scrolling a fundamental part
of the browsing experience.
One approach is in subtle parallax effects as seen in the next few
examples.
This is turning into some kind of Dave Gamache fan letter, but his
work demonstrates a wide variety of things that I need to illustrate!
Visit his blog and scroll down each post; the header, background,
and text disappear in a pseudo 3D transition. Whilst serving no
practical purpose, it adds an element of intrigue and dimension to
his otherwise minimalist layout. It encourages scrolling.
There’s also the idea that some content can scroll up to a point.
2011 saw wide use of this effect; keeping social icons, shopping
carts, menu bars, calls to action etc. persistently in view. Check
out the sharing link panel on Scout Books.
Note: The images following obviously don’t do the websites justice
in print form – go and check them out (and get your mouse wheel
ready...)
