“Gorgeous work! Excellent bit of education and entertainment!”

What is the sites concept all about?

This site shows history’s Perfect Storms, disasters that changed the world. The site shows events that are the black swans of history: extremely rare and massively impactful. To understand why they occurred and what it was like to experience them first hand, you have to pick them apart piece by piece. Perfect storms provides exhaustive 360-degree coverage of natural and human disasters. They utilise on-the-ground investigation and scientific analysis; present dramatic storytelling about survivors and victims, heroes and villains; and employ powerful tools like 3D animation, field-testing, and satellite imagery.

Technologies used to create the site.

Flash

Why I like this site.

A gorgeous bit f work! Attention to detail is epic! With mini games of heating the ocean, align the wind and direct the storm path this is a truly engaging website. You can even put your postcode in and a video pulls google street view to destroy your street. A wonderful site.

“Bringing nostalgic into the web archives”

What is the sites concept all about?

OK, for those of you who don’t know or choose not to remember, this is 1960′s toy was a kind of plotter that displaces aluminium powder on the back of the screen, leaving a solid line. To which you can then make lovely pictures. No “Undo” here! Once you have created your masterpiece you can save it, share it and even download it. Good bit of fun I say.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 Canvas

Why I like this site.

The sheer nostalgicness of the idea and site. Its a simple concept being modernised for the web. The design is clean and crisp and easy to use. I like the idea as a hobby project, if your just getting to grips with HTML5 this would be a nice little project for you to get your teeth stuck into. Well done Jack on your Itch A Skitch concept.

“So you have seen the adverts… Now make your own dancing pony.”

What is the sites concept all about?

The mobile network Three has been broadcasting adverts of a dancing pony, if you have not seen them you can see one below. Anyways, this YouTube channel has The Pony Mixer, a dancing-pony-remixing tool where you can make a pony shake it to anything from Boyband to Bollywood. The creations can be unleashed on the world via Facebook or Twitter and people who take part will be celebrated in 30-second national TV commercials. Eight genres of music each have five options within them that can be combined however you like, using playful and quirky controls. Pulling on an elephant’s trunk or cranking up the groupies dial are just a couple of the ways you can alter your video.

Background on the site:

Shot against the dramatic backdrop of the Shetland Islands, the TV spot follows the story of a stocky little pony. But this is no ordinary Shetland pony. With the scrape of a hoof, and a flick of his Tina Turner-esque mane, he effortlessly moonwalks along to the uplifting track ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac.

Three want to let the world know that all the seemingly stupid, funny and downright daft stuff we look at online on a daily basis… is not silly at all. Their point of view is that this stuff connects us to one another through the simple act of sharing it. Which is why as a network they do everything they can to help you live up to their brand line ‘Keep on internetting’. The commercial ends with the line ‘Silly stuff. It matters’.

Technologies used to create the site.

YouTube Channel – The project was built as a single responsive site that works seamlessly across mobile, tablet and desktop, taking advantage of gestures when available.

Why I like this site.

Ever since watching the advert for the first time (which I remember because I was in the cinema cracking up with laughter) the Dancing Pony has kind of been something I have been following. Its a funny gimmick and actually I like it. The site is easy to use and good fun. Enjoy 

“Turns your favourite websites into mobile controlled marble maze games.”

What is the sites concept all about?

Google Japan have clearly been bored again in the office and what they have done is sheer amazing! All you do is visit the site, enter your favourite website, connect your phone (if you want to) and play a 3D version of the website as a maze game. Game play is smooth and in sync with the sound effects, its worth a try.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5, webGL and WebSocket

“Great user interface and awesome little bit of fun!”

What is the sites concept all about?

The application allows the user to create a comic panel in the style of a Pop Art painting. Users begin by either uploading their own image or choosing a portrait from the Tate collection. This image is then processed to resemble a “Ben-Day dots” style printed image, and the user can experiment with settings such as the size of the dots, and the brightness and contrast of the image. In the next stage, the user can add their own details using a paintbrush tool, and finally layer on Pop Art elements like speech bubbles and tear drops before saving their image to their desktop or adding it to the Tate Kids online gallery.

Background on the site:

Dot Shop was commissioned by Tate Kids with the aim of creating an engaging online application viewable on multiple devices including iPads, tying in with a new exhibition at the Tate Modern.

Technologies used to create the site.

“Put on your apron and celebrate world baking day on the 19th of May”

What is the sites concept all about?

This World Baking Day we are encouraging you to Bake Brave. Step out of your comfort zone and bake a cake that will push your baking skills to the limit. 100 of the world’s most exciting bakers have each submitted a cake. They have been ranked from Level 1 being the easiest to make, up to Level 100 which is so difficult, it has master bakers quivering in their aprons. Choose a cake that you have never baked before, then on the 19th May roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

World Baking Day began as a way for cake lovers around the globe to share their passion for baking, so get your friends involved, share your challenge, invite them round, and Bake Brave this World Baking Day.

Background on the site:

A way for cake lovers around the globe to share their passion for baking, by inspiring them to bake things harder then they would normally bake.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 & JavaScript

Why I like this site.

If only all recipe sites where like this. Nice and simple to use, great for working out your baking level and the colours are amazing. The site is brilliantly executed with clear and clean executions on what to do. A real delicious site.

“Fun to build your child’s imagination”

What is the sites concept all about?

A card game that plays with your creativity. Pick a word, a set of cards, and have your friends guess which card matches your word.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 and JavaScript

Why I like this site.

Its simple and designed well. This is great to increase your child’s imagination in a positive way. I like how simple it is, just a same I had to wait ages to play with someone, perhaps with more marketing more people will play so games can be played quicker.

“Just what you need for a Friday morning… Puzzles to solve!”

What is the sites concept all about?

Each week day a new puzzle is shown for users to solve. The idea is to stimulate the users brain and increase there brain power.

Background on the site:

David Beach makes each of the puzzles that are shown on the site each weekday.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 and WordPress

Why I like this site.

Because I developed it and make the puzzles each day.

“If the Earth were 100 pixels wide, How far is it to Mars?”

What is the sites concept all about?

“Regardless of your feelings towards the Iron Lady, here are some of her quotes in the voice of Bane.”

What is the sites concept all about?

As you may have heard, Margaret Thatcher passed away last week and as a sort of tribute her quotes have been recorded in the voice of Bane (a fictional super villain who appears in comic books/films). However the point of the site how some of her quotes do sound a little scary when you come to think about it.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML

Why I like this site.

I like simplicity and its these quick witted sites that inspire ideas for the future, we all need a little humor in our life’s and with the current affairs I see this as fitting.

“Great cocktail ideas and specific for each month! Have a good weekend…”

What is the sites concept all about?

Sometimes you just want cocktails (and food) that is relevant to the time of year. So currently we are in “Spring” so what better then to make Summer Spring related drinks (and food). This Micro-site allows your search for drinks (and food) based on the month with an added bonus of party ideas too!

Background on the site:

From birthday bashes to simple Friday freedom, we reminded people that there’s always a reason to raise a glass. Through our interactive micro site, the Mixed Drink Maker served up unique Timeline Covers for our fans using ingredients from their Facebook profiles. It solved the problem of blurry Timeline Covers and was just plain fun stuff to share.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5

Why I like this site.

I love the simplicity with simple cocktails that are relevant to the month. I like to try my hand at making cocktails myself so I guess I have a basis interest in it. However the site is beautifully made and fun! I also like the cool Facebook event creator idea! Very well done.

“In the UK we each guzzle a massive 4,645 litres every day. But on what?”

What is the sites concept all about?

Water, something we should all be able to “Tap” into.  Every Last drop is an interactive website which takes a detailed look at how much water we waste on a daily basis and how small changes can make a big difference. This site is a fun and interactive parallaxing website based on a day in the life of an “average joe”. Through this quirky little character, going about his daily tasks, the viewer is able to learn more about how water is wasted in our lives, often without us realising it. The website concludes in a short animation about saving water.

Background on the site:

As far as water is concerned, 2012 was a big year. Not only did the UK experience painful water shortages, it was also devastated by record-breaking floods. And it looks as though 2013 will be just as saturated with aqua issues, with the UN dubbing it the Year of Water Cooperation. With all this in mind, Nice and Serious decided it was time people learnt a bit more about their water usage and that we can all do our bit to reduce it!

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5

Why I like this site.

I really like interactive parallaxing websites at the moment, something to do while reading the site at my own pace (as I am easily distracted by other things going on!). The character adds a bit of fun while learning about some facts on water wastage in the UK. The graphics are simple (they would have to be for HTML5 movement) otherwise the development would double if not triple. Its a simple message and I just plumb like it.

“Ant and Duck on Channel 4′s Easter Eggs Live”

What is the sites concept all about?

An innovative nature site like no other, designed to facilitate around-the-clock live streaming of spectacular species hatching from their eggs. Commissioned as part of Channel 4′s Easter Eggs Live programme. In a TV and science first, Easter Eggs Live opened up the unknown world of one of nature’s most ingenious inventions: the egg.

Background on the site:

From crocodiles to cockroaches and stick insects to sharks, 99 per cent of life starts in an egg. The groundbreaking show investigated the embryonic behaviour of reptiles, invertebrates, birds, fish and amphibians.

The hatching action unfolded on their 24/7 live streams from Monday 25 March. There were two-minute bulletins at 7.55pm on Channel 4 throughout the week, bringing you the latest news from the hatchery. Using the very latest equipment, including powerful scanners and super-sensitive microphones, the programmes will reveal the beginnings of life like never before and show the remarkable, and perilous, journeys animals make as they break out and begin life in the outside world.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5, JavaScript, Flash and Facebook Plugin

Why I like this site.

Sheer fascinating not to mention too cute! Just look at Ant and Duck in the image above! Anyways, sometimes I have to put a site up that might not meet the design requirements but certainly meets the behind the scenes look. You will probably never get to see the footage in real life however the LIVE webcams capture it all as i happens. Amazing concept and superb streaming. If you do watch the LIVE cams, click on the full screen view, you can see a lot more. The site is extremely informative on the spectacular species and the round up views are the best for an overview of all the hatching action! 

“Using just your fingers to create a unique user experience. Simply Amazing.”

What is the sites concept all about?

This website lets users use intuitive touch gestures to mix audio files to create an original sound track. The experience centres on an original sound track from Blake Lewis. The site lets users use their fingers to mix the stem files of Blake’s song to create a new music experience. The visual aspect of the site is also enhanced by a psychedelic explosion of colours that beats to the user’s every touch.

Background on the site:

In the past few years, touch has revolutionised the way we interact with our devices. While much of this innovation was primarily for apps, with IE 10 and Windows 8, we can expect more from multi-touch and gestures on the web.

Technologies used to create the site.

“Got that Friday feeling yet? Nah… Well this might just make you chuckle.”

What is the sites concept all about?

What is the best part of an Oreo? The Cookie or the crème? Cast your vote and through a series of comedic and sometimes bizarre videos, you are informed that you are right, regardless of your answer. When it comes to the cookie versus crème battle, there is no wrong answer.

Background on the site:

The site features videos from over a dozen directors, production companies and YouTube personalities. The video makers spanned 6 different time zones and simultaneously crafted dozens of videos to give this site an eclectic and entertaining assortment of content. From oddly captivating 2D horse animations to hilariously realistic robotic cats, this site has something for everyone.

Technologies used to create the site.

The primary microsite was developed with two concurrent tech directions, a full featured Flash engagement and an HTML fallback for mobile and tablets.  Additionally, there was a sharable embed version created for insertion into blogs, online-publications and Facebook feeds.  Naturally, leading all of this delightful interactive content was a flight of standard and rich media traffic drivers.

Why I like this site.

Honestly I would not go as far to say I like it, but it does have an appeal! Bizarre videos certainly has its place on the internet, however what made me go with this site was more on the efforts of making this very compatible and sharable.

“Just love how the site used video social media to interact with its customers! Ground Breaking!”

What is the sites concept all about?

An Interview Trainer made for Mr. Wolfdog that will help you prepare for your future job interviews. As part of of the viral campaign they held many live streaming stunts via Google Hangouts, uStream and Xbox Live.

Background on the campaign:

For the live events, a WebGL application was created that tracked Wofldog’s movements and allowed the MINIVEGAS team to turn his “speech collar” into an audio reactive piece of software. With a toolbox of video elements, cables, adapters, and caffeine, they were able to control Wofldog’s every movement and live interactions with Old Spice’s fans for 5 days.

Technologies used to create the site.

Flash

Why I like this site.

It was funny. I clearly was bored and it killed the time and made me laugh. What I really liked was how video social media was used to interact with the fans. This site was a tiny piece of the puzzle to a HUGE marketing campaign that clearly has worked (as I am writing about it).

“Parallax, Parallax and more Parallaxing! Very cleaver and engaging and great to see the transition from concept to end result!”

What is the sites concept all about?

Journey behind the scenes in this stunning HTML5 experience and explore how Life of Pi’s winning moments were brought to life.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 & JavaScript

Why I like this site.

I admit I did not watch the film but I do love behind the scenes stuff. This site brings “Epic” to a new level, so much time and effort has gone in to this very polished site to promote the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the film. The scrolling through this site is just amazing and interesting at the same time. It was so good it actually kept me scrolling the whole way to the bottom! Well worth checking out!

“Every tweet raises money! Now that is a viral campaign!”

What is the sites concept all about?

For every shared dream the disabled person foundation will get a donation. All dreams are represented via a plant that grows every time someone shares their dream.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 & JavaScript

Why I like this site.

Lately charity type websites are coming up with some awesome concepts and ideas on how to raise money and this one is no exception. The concept is simple, share a dream on a tweet and the foundation gets a donation! What could be more simpler? This is a great viral campaign and all for a good cause!  

“Beautifully designed and great for a personallised book for the kids!”

What is the sites concept all about?

The creators came up with the story of a child who had lost his or her name. The adventure of the book is to track down all the letters of the lost name. On the way, the child meets lots of different creatures, who all lend a hand. Nice creatures, strange creatures, on-the-face-of-it scary creatures. They wanted to show that with a bit of courage, and some audacity, there’s nothing to be afraid of and anything is possible. They created over 150 illustrations and this project is 100% independent, totally self-published and wholly self-funded.

Technologies used to create the site.

HTML5 and JavaScript

Why I like this site.

The site design is truly beautiful, the creators have really captured a fantastic sense of user adventure and made it fun, which I think is whats needed if your selling a self published book, you really should have a site that reflects the high quality you are selling. I like how the creators have added there own humor into the design, just to add a personal touch. The site is user intuitive and graphically pleasing and that’s why it is today’s Great Web Design Idea.

“Simple, Funny, Nice and Easy to play. I LOVE IT!”

What is the sites concept all about?

A viral travel insurance campaign for an insurance company. You play the game as Ludwig the tourist, just move your mouse to collect the goodies and avoid the baddies. No clicking required and good fun too!

Technologies used to create the site.

Flash for game play

Why I like this site.

Sometimes you get a simple, funny and easy to play game that is just amazing! No instructions needed for this game just a good sense of humor. I love games like this because they can be very additive and yet so simple.