James Oppenheim’s blog

http://www.thehorizontalway.com/

Is my web browser broken? Have a somehow switched over to Internet Explore by mistake? The answer is no! This is an interesting website, one that challenges the way we should design websites by displaying the information in a horizontal format.
The site showcases other websites that display its content in horizontal not vertical direction. I have seen some websites like this before, so the idea is not completely new one, however, I believe that this site pulls it off quite well.

Bad practice and usability I here you scream, well maybe it is not the convention. Yes as a web user I don’t like side scrolling. However, I think the presentation of content in this manner should be explored. Don’t just use a convention for the conventions sake.

Technorati Tags: design, conventions, site of the week

http://www.pieceofshow.com

Wow, what beautiful work!

Piece of Show is a forum for the work of Andrew Zbihlyj. Andrew takes paint, tape, ink, paper, some harmful chemical and fire to create some stunning artwork.

While I don’t like the functionality of this site, I find it awkward to use, the work easily makes up for this shortfall. Maybe my dialup connection does not help the situation. With an excellent use of negative space and screen real estate this website really does what it intends to do, showcase the artwork.

Exquisite work with a political bent, I love it.

http://www.dontclick.it/

Now here is an interesting site that pushes the bounders of user interaction offering an experiment on how we interact with websites. To click or not to click, that is the question. The navigation within this site is set up so that a rollover activates the buttons rather than the traditional click. This removes the need to click at all throughout your journey of the website.

An interesting idea. However, I found myself wanting to click on the icons and links within the site. To the point where it was quite unnatural and somewhat disconcerting not being able to click with in the interface. This is such an ingrained habit that I was constantly tempted to click and wanted to click even though I know I shouldn’t.

Why should we reinvent the wheel, I am sure Jacob Nelson and Steve Krug would agree. Interesting research and a very strange experience to boot. I think Steve’s book sums up my feelings on the situation ‘don’t make me think‘.

What do you think?