125 million iOS users can’t be left behind
We’ve just launched our latest website for a pair of young architects, North Street Design, and we’re really excited about it. We’ve looked at a LOT of architect’s websites while we’ve been designing and developing Juliet and Gavin’s site and we’ve been struck by how ubiquitous the use of Flash is for homepages. There’s nothing more annoying than landing on that often overly-animated Flash-driven page on a non-entertainment, business site and have to wait while it loads, plays and finally gives us the chance to get out of it and on to the information we want!
And then we recently saw the stats about Apple iOS device use worldwide: 125 million iPhones and iPads have been sold in the last couple of years. Another great argument for staying far away from Flash on architects’ sites – or anybody else’s for that matter. No business wants to leave that many potential clients unaware of their work.
The North Street Design site, like the architects’ own terrific design aesthetic, is clean, contemporary, and literally, well… tactile. Their design practice not only focuses on new construction, renovation and adaptive use, but also sustainable technology in building environments, like rainwater harvesting systems. Appropriately, images of ground textures – stone, plants, water – infuse all their graphic branding tools, as we’ve designed business cards, social media and related materials to seamlessly integrate with the website.
Gavin and Juliet and their North Street Design practice are on the front edge of creative, sustainable and beautiful design, and TDG is pleased to have helped them create a website and related materials that the world will appreciate. Including those 125 million iOS users.
Category: Uncategorized 2 comments »
May 4th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Good post, guys…
We’ve worked with architects and developers for years and I can quickly explain the all-Flash phenomena you’re running into. To understand it, I think, you have to dial the clock back to 2004 – 2006. The Times, they were a boomin’ and lots of architects and real estate developments took advantage of Flash’s great ability to create immersive user experiences. And some of those portfolio galleries still look great today. What happened, of course, is that the economy tanked and hit anyone in real estate the hardest. Consequently, there are a lot of poor designers and developers stuck with non-searchable, non iPad-friendly sites out there. They know they need to redesign ‘em. They’re all just, well, broke…
dave
May 7th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@David- Thanks!
Well, we can definitely feel the economy recovering. Everyone that has survived the last few years (and those who are starting new ventures) need to distinguish themselves with robust online presences. Hopefully as thoughtful designers we can help them to make good decisions.