Cloud9 said:
I felt as if I had entered a diferent world. The feeling is not one of a website. If it were supposed to feel like a website it would have been designed as such...The cursor has issues, and they can be worked out, but I feel I have received his creation, which is the intention.
That is a copout for a good idea with poor execution. This person obviously has the ability to make something intriguing and in your case serene, but that is no reason to let them get away with selling themselves short.
THX1139 said:
Bummer that you had to think or do some extra work. I thought the payoff was worth it. Seems you and some of the other posters feel the site is lacking due to the design of form over function. That maybe the standards were broken and therefore the site was unusable? Well, maybe some of that is true if you are shopping for shoes or reading a forum... but as a portfolio site, I think it stands quite strong. Imagine the world, how boring it would be, if everyone followed exact standards. I think the best thing about rules are breaking them. If it offends or keeps some people from enjoying the experience, then I say "good", the site isn't intended for them. When a website is a work of art, I think they should get a pass on some of the more technical issues if it serves the broader purpose. What would you have done to improve the navigation? Put rollover buttons along the top or side?
Those of you who just don't get it... you have my sympathy.
I think you are the one missing the point.
It looks as if there is a general consensus that the actual content is nice and that people like it. But, there is a split between those that think a good idea that got half baked equals a beautiful cake and those that can taste that it could have stood an extra 5 minutes in the oven.
And, I think you are confusing usability with creativity. Something that has a well designed interface doesn't automatically become drab and boring with "rollover buttons along the top or side". I don't think anybody insinuated that.
Also, Website as Work of Art justifying driving some people away because "'good' the website isn't intended for them" is a load of bull. This is a portfolio site. If the person isn't trying to get as many people to look at their work, then who are they targeting? Maybe...a specific company or art director? If it were me putting my work out there, I wouldn't want to sacrifice creativity, but I would want to make my interface transparent or complementary to the experience.
In the end, do I think the work is good? Yes. Do I think the site is well designed? The concept is interesting, but the execution fails in certain areas. Have I set out to rid the world of creativity? No.
Do I want to restrict the world to Helvetica Neue only? No. But do I love it?
Yes.