Shiny Stuff
1st edition — by Patrick McNeil — Feb. 24, 2006
The Design Element
The human race is a simple bunch. We all love shiny stuff. In fact we seem
down right obsessed with it. There is a universal appeal to things
that shimmer and shine. The iPod is a fine example, no one complains that
this gleaming work of art gets scratched and marred nearly instantly. It
isn't practical in the real world, but on the web, things never loose their
shine.
I don't know if
Apple
started it or not, but I have no doubt they brought it to the mainstream
with their gel tabs and gel buttons. Recently the web has just gone ape making
everything shimmer and shine. And why not? As common and over used as it
is, I still love it. I suppose we could take a poll on this, but I am still
enticed by sites that use this element well. Something about it is just appealing,
like a shiny new car. Really, have you ever seen a tastier
percent
sign? I didn't think so.
This shiny gelacious goodness makes things feel so fresh and new, even
when they aren't. Reflections can give depth and life to an other wise flat
design. Pages come to life and occupy more of a physical space.
So, how do you use such elements effectively and not just for shininess
sake? What sets the good samples apart from the bad? Well it seems rather
simple to me.
For starters all of these samples have the whole package. They made the
reflective logo, or gel like objects fit into the overall site. Just making
your logo reflect doesn't ensure success. You can find evidence of this in
the oodles of blogs that have tried this exact technique. Sure it adds a
bit of interest, but it won't be successful until you have unity in the whole
design.
Well, I thought I had a for seconds, but that pretty much summed it up.
Don't be a slacker and slap that glossy effect on something random. Think
it through and make the whole package work together, this isn't high concept
stuff here, so it really comes down to how you execute it.
Who would have thought I had so much to say about all this glossy goodness.
Enjoy the links!
Sample Usage
