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The menu is tucked right under the focal point on the
entry page.
The interior pages feature a simple text menu just
above the text area.
Images © Flip Designs.
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Flip Designs
Steve Leggat is the owner of Flip Designs, featured here, with one of
his sites coming up next. He is also the Senior Designer for World
Web Design, where he created the designs for the Cuisine Magazine
site featured earlier in this article and in first Navigation
Graphics feature. He has done an amazing amount of work ... take
a look at both design sites and wander through the portfolios. Steve
really understands navigation and it shows in every site.
In his own site, Steve has used a simple text menu to make navigation
easy throughout the site. The entry page features the menu just under
the company name. The interior pages have a black background with the
menu showing just above the green text area on each page.
There is nothing fancy about this navigation system, and maybe that
is the point. You could not call the site dull, yet there is no hunt
for navigation. To me, that is the sign of a successful site.
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The menu is right beside an attention grabbing photo
on the entry page.
The orange bar shown here gives the title for every
page, providing your location at a glance.
Images © Xen. Designed by Steve Leggat, Flip
Designs.
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Xen Skateboard
A few unusual phrases are coming into my mind as I think of how to describe
this site. Phrases like "fun corporate" or "serious skateboard
site." Perhaps you will have to visit to see if I am coming close
with those strange phrases.
The entry page grabs your attention with a superb photo and a slash
of gold on a dark page. The menu stands out quite well, and sits right
next to the action photo – no doubt the first place a skateboarding
visitor's eyes will settle. Vivid text descriptions of each menu item
appear on mouseover.
The interior pages have a completely different look. The menu area
at the top stands out well and provides much of the impact for the page.
I really like the very subtle animated graphic in the menu area, and
I am not usually an animated graphic fan. But this one does not demand
all your attention, does draw your eye immediately to the navigation
once you look for it, and fits with the subject. An orange bar carries
the current page name, leaving no doubt where you are in the site.
Everything is laid out very neatly, yet there is an easy casual feeling
to the site. It is plain that the focus is skateboarding, yet it is
a serious business site at the same time. Let's see ... how 'bout "corporate
with a subtle attitude," or "skateboarding without attitude"
... (still thinking).
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That's it, but before I go ...
Learn to watch for special graphics techniques as you surf the Web.
We often see great design as a whole without taking the time to put
each of the pieces under a microscope. How did they do that? Why does
that spot attract attention? The answer is often a very simple, but
stunningly creative graphic treatment. Harvest ideas constantly to keep
your work fresh and reduce the time it takes you to create great graphics.
Check the main graphics page regularly for new additions. Visit our
new Links section, and don't forget
to send URLs when you find "Graphic Greats." Send
links.
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