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What Does Cutting Edge Design Mean to You?

by lerxtjr
16 replies
There are just so many websites out there designed in the typical top to bottom boxy format with hard rectangle corners, bland navigation, flatness (remember the days of beveling? ha.), no movement (and I don't mean flash movement)...

What are some more cutting edge designs that you're seeing out there and what do you like about them or what specific components do you like about them?

Let's keep this discussion away from wizbang flash sites. Although if there's a partial component of the layout that's in flash, that's okay.

And, you can't just list your own website...that's cheating.

My hope would be that we get a good list of a couple hundred site designs to give us inspiration at the design table.

Thanks in advance.
#cutting #design #edge
  • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
    Depends on exactly what market you are targeting. Ultimately, I'd say a site that converts exceptionally well, and has lots of happy buyers.

    However, if you want to see some 'good' designs, you can always take a look at sites like monstertemplates.com, etc. That can give you a fairly good pulse on the industry.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Barber
    I look at Apple's site to see what they are doing and try to follow that on the basis that they have great designers. At the moment though I think there site has a bit too much going on. Simple is best.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Don't know much about cutting edge designs, but if I wanted to find out, I'd follow the big boys that spend their money on designers. Folks like Disney, Pixar, the most popular cable channels and syndicated TV shows, etc.

    To answer the question in your subject line...

    "Cutting edge design" means the same thing to me as "award winning advertising" -- it's probably pretty to look at but not all that effective, and it's going to cost me a bundle if I want it for myself.

    Give me websites and advertising that makes money over "cutting edge" any day of the week...
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Don't know much about cutting edge designs, but if I wanted to find out, I'd follow the big boys that spend their money on designers. Folks like Disney, Pixar, the most popular cable channels and syndicated TV shows, etc.

      To answer the question in your subject line...

      "Cutting edge design" means the same thing to me as "award winning advertising" -- it's probably pretty to look at but not all that effective, and it's going to cost me a bundle if I want it for myself.

      Give me websites and advertising that makes money over "cutting edge" any day of the week...
      Preach brother, Preach.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
        Ultimately you want the best of both worlds. A site that converts and one that looks good.

        IMO artists/designers etc are always going to be in conflict with marketers. Designers' primary concerns are creating an eye pleasing design(usually to their eyes), while marketers are driven by conversions.

        I remember an interview where the speaker mentioned a panel of commercial directors were being interviewed.

        One of the questions was what do you consider a successful commercial and not one answered an increase in revenue/sales for the company.

        Kevin
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  • Profile picture of the author rimam1
    Check out ChartPorn.org for some amazing design. Not exactly site design, but beautifully designed charts that people naturally link to.
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    • Profile picture of the author lerxtjr
      "Cutting edge design" means the same thing to me as "award winning advertising"
      I dunno, just as we've been brought up to believe that the only way to 25% conversion rates is a 12,000 word one-page sales letter (which I subscribe to by the way for some product types), I think we've also been made believe that conversion rates plummet simply because authentic and original design is incorporated into a site. We all need to be careful of this.

      So, again, this question is not posed to be a debate between what sells versus what wins awards. It's about establishing credibility, sincerity, longevity, B2B, being seen as real players.

      And, that's why I started the post. Again, what types of cutting edge looks and designs are you seeing that accomplish these goals?
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  • Profile picture of the author Groovystar
    Notice also how much longer the ones up top took to load up than the ones on the bottom, in general--Adobe and Newtek in particular took a good few seconds for me.

    Lots of people browsing the net these days on their smartphones. You want something that will also work well on there.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by lerxtjr View Post

      I dunno, just as we've been brought up to believe that the only way to 25% conversion rates is a 12,000 word one-page sales letter (which I subscribe to by the way for some product types), I think we've also been made believe that conversion rates plummet simply because authentic and original design is incorporated into a site. We all need to be careful of this.

      So, again, this question is not posed to be a debate between what sells versus what wins awards. It's about establishing credibility, sincerity, longevity, B2B, being seen as real players.

      And, that's why I started the post. Again, what types of cutting edge looks and designs are you seeing that accomplish these goals?
      I guess I was answering the question in your subject line very literally. I get contacted semi-regularly by design companies, and when they hit me with the phrase "cutting edge design" it often means I'm supposed to be impressed with their artistic skill or graphic wizardry.

      Much the same as when ad agencies tout their awards, rather than their results.

      So, to give you a serious answer, a cutting edge design is one which enhances and facilitates the purpose of the website without drawing attention to itself. If the latest gimmicks make the message easier to absorb, use the latest gimmicks. If a logo, text field and submit button do the job (a la Google), that's what should be done.

      Before I got involved with marketing, I was a design engineer. I was taught to reach for "elegant design", which is essentially a design that does what it was intended to do as simply and effectively as possible. The exact opposite of adding features just because you can.

      If you want an example of what I consider elegant design, take a look at the sites for some of the cruise lines -- particularly the pages offering information about the various ships. You'll see a blend of text, graphics, video, animation, etc. that presents a large quantity of information in a compact space without requiring any special knowledge by the viewer. The information is the star, but without the design it would be much clunkier to access.

      The same applies to the content. In a sales letter, I believe you should offer as much information and persuasion as necessary, and not one word more.

      Wrapping it up, for me, "cutting edge design" is design which just works...
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      • Profile picture of the author lerxtjr
        I finally found a good example with a site that I have NOT worked with. I have zero affiliation with this company but it's a good example of what I think is a really good cutting edge design. Their SEO effort is useless and I'm not a fan of reverse text, but "for them" it works.

        And, it's not the boxy rectangular design looks that I keep seeing all over the place.

        What are your views.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by lerxtjr View Post

          I finally found a good example with a site that I have NOT worked with. I have zero affiliation with this company but it's a good example of what I think is a really good cutting edge design. Their SEO effort is useless and I'm not a fan of reverse text, but "for them" it works.

          And, it's not the boxy rectangular design looks that I keep seeing all over the place.

          What are your views.
          Other than splashier graphics, I don't see what's so "cutting edge" about this particular site. It has a basic drop-down menu across the top, a large header graphic, and a two-column content section that uses about 30-40% of the available screen.

          Once you get past the home page, the layout is even more traditional except for the very large header images.

          As you say, the SEO sucks. We agree on disliking reverse text. Some of their font choices are questionable, especially if their target market is hiring executives who may be old enough to appreciate large, clear text.

          The only thing that stands out for me is the images. I'll agree that they did a nice job on those. Even though I didn't see a lot of connection between the images I saw and the content on the page.

          You know, it just occurred to me. When you and I use the word "design" we may be talking about different things. As a trained engineer, I see the design as the things that make up the workings of the site. The layout, the navigation, the use of scripting, etc.

          Looking back at your original post again, I see you're more the artistic type. You're looking for the flair laid over the basic design. So I'm probably not one of the people who can give you the kind of examples you want.

          I wish you luck in finding that which you seek...
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        • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
          Originally Posted by lerxtjr View Post

          I finally found a good example with a site that I have NOT worked with. I have zero affiliation with this company but it's a good example of what I think is a really good cutting edge design. Their SEO effort is useless and I'm not a fan of reverse text, but "for them" it works.
          I guess it depends on the site's purpose. I suspect that site made a fair penny for the designers and the client was probably pleased with the result. But it's hard to see it as anything more than an expensive self-indulgence, IMO.

          When I read the landing page, I just see "who we are" and "what we do" - nothing much about what's in it for the prospect. A fairly typical corporate "me too" site.

          I always like to bait (in a friendly way) those who believe design is everything by linking to this (current) example:

          Business Lyceum

          And yet, as everyone knows, Jim Straw is Mr.


          Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author davemiz
    you're missing one very key point.... we are direct response marketers... design comes secondary to conversion.

    you're mixing 'non marketing' sites which are there to look good, and more corp.... with more money to burn.... vs. direct response marketing sites.

    big difference.
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  • Profile picture of the author SocialBookmarkPro
    I also want to interject that cutting edge is also forward thinking. Therefore, whereas you can gain inspiration from other sites that you feel best represent the look that you desire, try to also be creative and take it to the next level.
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  • Profile picture of the author JuliaParkerNYC
    neat and clean site
    site with professional pictures
    few sober effects
    nice user behaviour
    More info in less text/images..

    And you are getting the best.

    Thanks
    Julia
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