This post was written by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions.
Flash is unparalleled when it comes to providing users a highly rich, memorable, and interactive experience. For developers, nothing matches Flash’s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamic, complex web-based applications. For a vast majority of users, the required Flash Player plug-in is already installed, making it the most popular choice when it comes to animation and effects on the web.
When should you use Flash?
- When there’s a need for rich, dynamic user interactivity. JavaScript’s ability to provide fluid/smooth effects and interactivity is made easier with frameworks such as script.aculo.us and mootools, but it doesn’t come close to what Flash has to offer in terms of dynamic animations, effects, and interactivity.
- When accessibility is not a high-priority. Flash, unfortunately, is not as accessible when compared to an XHTML based design, not only for assistive technologies such as screen readers, but also for non-traditional browsers such as those found in mobile devices. For example, the Apple iPhone does not currently support Flash.
- When you need to show off your abilities. Flash developers naturally opt for Flash-based designs so that visitors can see their aptitude in designing Flash applications. In this way, Flash is also appropriate for those in similar fields such as web designers, developers, and front-end interaction designers.
When should you use something else?
- When you expect a wide variety of visitors. If your website caters to a niche such as individuals interested in graphics and animation, chances are, they’ll have Flash Player browser plug-in installed and enabled. But if you anticipate a large range of viewers, that last 2% of people who don’t have Flash installed can mean hundreds of visitors not being able to view your website. In addition, many users disable Flash because of Flash-based advertisements.
- When it doesn’t add value or interactivity to a website. Some websites use Flash simply for the sake of using Flash. When it doesn’t compliment the design or enhance the user’s experience, it’s best to use technologies and techniques such as JavaScript and CSS instead.
In this article, I’d like to present 30 outstanding websites that truly showcases the power of Flash and the ingenuity of their developers, as well as to inspire you should you choose to design using Flash.
Some tips on designing with Flash:
- Avoid opening another browser window. Not only is it annoying to the user, but pop-up blockers may suppress your Flash application from opening.
- Don’t ask the user to click a button to enter. It’s unnecessary. Just load your movie without requiring an additional action from your viewers.
- Don’t resize the user’s window. Some designs force the browser to be resized, avoid doing this or you risk frustrating the user.
- Don’t remove the browser’s navigation. Similar to resizing windows, when you remove the controls of a browser (such as the back and forward button), it may frustrate your users.
- Make sure your Flash movie loads quickly. A good time to aim for is less than 5 seconds on a broadband connection — any more and you might find that many of your visitor’s will leave before your application loads.
- Consider having an XHTML version of your Flash site. You can use JavaScript to detect whether the user has Flash, and then serve the appropraite version of your site. Here’s Adobe’s Flash Player Detection Kit. This is not a completely bullet-proof method, so another option is to present the user with a choice upon entering your home page.
Jacob Gube is a web designer/developer and the creator of Six Revisions, a blog that shares useful information and resources for web professionals. To follow Jacob at Six Revisions, subscribe to his feed.
For more design inspiration, see:
April 28th, 2008
[...] ï¼
April 28th, 2008
[...] de sitios creados con flash ya hemos comentado que ya tiene solución, pues bueno en Vandelay design listaron a 30 sitios web con diseños flash innovadores, vale la pena verlos y yo me quedo con este [...]
April 28th, 2008
Flash websites are such fun… These are beautiful, but I really struggle to understand what many are about - and how to use them. I guess that’s why they are best for portfolios and very specialist sites.
April 29th, 2008
[...] Vandelay Design nos ofrecen una magnífica recopilación de 30 grandes webs desarrolladas íntegramente en Flash, [...]
April 29th, 2008
flash design are beautiful but it takes more time to developped whereas technologies like PHP or simple HTML
April 29th, 2008
Another good tip — don’t start playing sounds right away. Normally, I root out the window making noises, and close it immediately. It is probably the most annoying possible thing a site can do, and flash sites are a huge offender.
April 29th, 2008
[...] For developers, nothing matches Flash??s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamihttp://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/beautiful-flash-designs/Anti-China protests ‘going too far’? The Journal NewsAs a Chinese-American, Albert Wu was delighted [...]
April 30th, 2008
very nice article, thanks!
May 1st, 2008
[...] 30 Beautiful and Innovative Flash Designs This post was written by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions. Flash is unparalleled when it comes to providing users a highly rich, memorable, and interactive experience. For developers, nothing matches Flash’s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamic, complex web-based applications. For a vast majority of users, the required Flash Player plug-in is already installed, making it the most popular choice when it comes to animation and effects on the web. [...]
May 5th, 2008
[...] 30 Beautiful and Innovative Flash Designs via Vandelay Website Design by Vandelay Design on 4/28/08 This post was written by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions. Flash is unparalleled when it comes to providing users a highly rich, [...]
May 11th, 2008
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May 11th, 2008
[...] For developers, nothing matches Flash??s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamihttp://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/beautiful-flash-designs/Realtors turn to parties to market houses Naples Daily NewsIn February, throngs of people gathered [...]
May 12th, 2008
[...] For developers, nothing matches Flash??s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamihttp://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/beautiful-flash-designs/Doctor in UK car bomb plot returns home Gulf TimesBANGALORE: An Indian doctor convicted of [...]
May 12th, 2008
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May 12th, 2008
[...] For developers, nothing matches Flash??s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamihttp://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/beautiful-flash-designs/How can Barack Obama win keys to the White House? Karl Rove offers a few tips Times OnlineKarl Rove, [...]
May 12th, 2008
[...] 30 Beautiful and Innovative Flash Designs This post was written by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions. Flash is unparalleled when it comes to providing users a highly rich, memorable, and interactive experience. For developers, nothing matches Flash’s relative ease in allowing them to develop dynamic, complex web-based applications. For a vast majority of users, the required Flash Player plug-in is already installed, making it the most popular choice when it comes to animation and effects on the web. [...]
May 14th, 2008
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May 29th, 2008
They are beautiful my dear…
Pss.. I flew the redbull plane..
June 21st, 2008
[...] your needs analysis shows that you need a flash-based website , you now know that you should focus your search on designers that specialize in building [...]
September 1st, 2008
[...] 30 Beautiful and Innovative Flash Designs via Vandelay Website Design by Vandelay Design on 4/28/08 This post was written by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions. Flash is unparalleled when it comes to providing users a highly rich, [...]
November 11th, 2008
[...] Innovative Flash Designs [...]
December 8th, 2008
I think a lot of people who say “don’t make sites ‘in Flash’” are either A) strictly coders who don’t have a creative bone in their body and know that their Flash work would reflect that, or B) people who have creativity but think that exempts them from having to know anything technical. I’m not extremely technical but very interested in learning and am primarily a creative person, I love how Flash allows me to marry these two aspects of myself. All the websites I’ve done are in Flash, I’ve presented the pros and cons of HTML v. Flash and every time the client choses Flash despite the higher price.
January 20th, 2009
beautiful and creative work
May 1st, 2009
Another interesting article from your blog
When will it stop….hopefully never
June 7th, 2009
erm… the Lure Lounge uses javascript for its crazy awesome effects.
June 25th, 2009
Amazing flash design, I have few of them but not as good as those you presented. all of them are awesome..
thanks,
smith