There is a conversation going on right now that demands eavesdropping. Besides which, you've been invited.
The gist of the conversation is this: there are a few "context-sensitive" websites, created by highly visual designers, that are successful if the intentions of the designer are to be original and artistically creative, and unsuccessful if the designer intends to be a cohesive narrator or storyteller.
At least that is what Alexis Massie, as much web critic as talented designer and writer, has to say.
If you head over there, you should know that she is intelligent and thoughtful, careful and insightful. And she is confident.
She's been designing web pages, and thinking about the web as a medium of expression, for some time. And she knows her stuff. But take a look at what she is evaluating and see if you agree with her.
I think that's what she would want, anyway.
What do I think?
Most of the time, I feel like an infant when I'm talking and thinking about the world wide web. I'm so new to it all--barely initiated into the world of personal pages.
I have had little time to take in any reasonable portion of the expanse of information, commercialization, and self-expression out there.
But Alex and Corin's conversation has cracked open the floodgates.
I guess in one sense I've been given a point of reference by their discussion, and what thoughts I've had time and energy to have are becoming more cohesive as they fall into place around and through that reference point.
For now, I have to agree with Alex. At least for the most part. (You'll have to read what she has to say to know what I agree with.)
I think she may not take into account the average web reader's ability to evaluate, understand, and even enjoy complex and tangled information; but in the end, a good story can be complex without confusing the hell out of you.
My love is writing. And good writing is what moves me.
Haub.net is nothing more than an expression of that love. A few ramblings, a story or two, some poetry, and in a corner here or there, a photo album of a camping trip or a wedding.
Nothing here is fancy or brilliant. Everything is as simple and clean as I can make it. Nothing should draw your attention from the writing.
I don't care if the design doesn't dazzle you; but I hope you find something in the writing that affects you.
And though I enjoy sites that are complex and convoluted, I find myself heading back, time and again, to the places where I know I'm going to find a good story, without the hassle of endless clicks and pointless but beautiful decorations.
Don't get me wrong--that hassle is also enjoyable. A different state of mind, a different mood, and a highly artistic site is inspiring.
But in the end, give me a good story.
It would be ridiculous for me to suggest that design is not important. Regardless of the medium, when a writer presents their work, design plays an important role in that presentation.
But when a writer presents work that is important to them, presentation should always be slave to the intentions of that work, and above all, should never detract from it.
