If websites were vehicles, commercial requirements would be the number of passengers the vehicle needs to carry (Google ads would be the passengers that you don't want to sit near).
When designing a site full of 728's, 160's, MPU's, shopping partners, competitions and advertorials you can't help but feel you have the short end of the stick when it comes to design expression. That said, commercially led sites do (if you are lucky) contain quality editorial, hosting and marketing budgets to ensure the visitors return.
Next time you watch Sky news, notice how the weather sponsorship is exclusive to Sky. Maybe this could be the future for some commercial sites to drop the standard banners, give sales better design support, and be more sports car and less bus.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Designing a bus to look like a sports car