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I bet you all are a little bit tired of classic list posts so this time I really spent my time to bring some value into this inspirational article. I gathered here 40 really unique and trendy web designs from Deviantart, all of them are fresh, created in February, 2010. But this time instead of just listing them all, I did a step forward – I tried to analyze and criticize each design, point pros and cons you should give some more attention to. For me design never is complete, there is always space for improving, but it takes serious experience to notice those small mistakes.
If this idea will raise some discussion and attention I am sure I will make more comprehensive research so we all could improve ourselves actually in the meantime. I am quite excited, how about you? Let’s get started!
You may take a look to our other Deviantart Inspiration based articles made in past as well:
Interesting blog using brown, red and few more subtle tones. I like overall design, nice mouse over effects – to main navigation, to RSS button, but something seem a little bit strange to me. For example that bird in header and funny icon in “Comment/ Continue reading” section in post. While blog is created for world comics, I think all icons (RSS,newsletter,search icons) should be funny, logotype maybe too?
And yet again some good points – notice all polished buttons, sections, little embossing, glossing effects, which make design look really professional.
Design home page for germany web agency. Could turn out as amazing Flash page, great photomanipulation type website.
Second version of Sense Design website – beautiful 3D effects just buy me to love this website! I don’t even dare to criticize here, fell in love with colors! Which is your favorite design?
Okay, if I need to tell something then I think white color is too bright in second screenshot. I understand on bright background it’s hard to put readable text, but this isn’t the best case. On text I would try slightly darker monochrome color as well as darker box behind the text. What about navigation? Maybe something bright and big text could get attention to the right place as well?
Would love to hear your opinions, this is a really hard case.
Interesting, yet clean and professional website design. I like especially header where featured slideshow is beautifully executed from original design point of view. Only I think company will definitely need to update their logo to fit it with this beautiful design.
Very fresh and trendy designs using just blue and black color variations throughout whole design. Close to simple perfection, though not aligned “Attention please” note confuses a little bit and footer should need more tweaking I think.
Site uses green as main bright color to get attention, black color is used just to define navigation and footer, but I don’t quite like black to white gradient in background of slideshow. Also logo looks quite good, but typeface used with it I think isn’t quite suitable.
I love this design, but it’s interesting to analyze and find some little points which could take this design to even higher level!
This artist also has full gallery of amazing works – very dark website yet great for image based website. Notice also beautiful 3D effects, glossing and shining borders. I am confused only about background stripes – resembles web 2.0 type designs a little bit and footer lacks little white stripe which all other blocks have.
One more great design using only light, subtle colors. For me the most succesful seems header and left content area. I would love to have something similar on my own blog. From marketing point of view though I would like to have bigger RSS and Twitter buttons, also no one would buy sponsor ads if they would lie so far from “Above the fold”.
It’s very hard task to create successful blog design and yes, I see countless bad design executions in my own site as well.
I wanted to bring attention to this design as well! Seems everything put so random, but in the same time here you will find great color and alignment hierarchy! Check out also cool looking left sidebar with nice embedded effects. I would only find some confusion in header, logo face seems to be too small and main branding item simply disappears in whole loud design!
Simply pointed – less is really more, perfect color harmony. I just love blurred contours at the back of logo and little innovative text on the main circle.
No comments, simply amazed about interesting and unique design though while it looks good I am not sure if it will not hurt text readability and usability as whole.
Wow, for this design I simply couldn’t find words to tell any critique. Beautiful accent in above the fold field (featured slideshow), light design, perfectly aligned and executed. I am watching and learning.
“The site focuses on skydiving, hot air balloon rides, hang gliding, gliders, warbirds and biplanes.”
Designer tries to put really big amounts of information here and I think he did great job! Great inspiration where successfully are added several photographs in background. Only confusion for me is left top section “Welcome to 1800Skyride” – all other sections has it’s own boxes but here text is just lying in the air. I am not sure – maybe it’s good thing, welcome text got my attention, but main text is a little hard to read. Analyze this site design yourself, you’ll find many more beautifully executed small things.
Interesting approach to hybrid/futuristic type of design. I am curious to see how this site will look live in Flash, notice all little points, glossing, gradients, shine.
No comments from my side is needed here – very unique and very well executed website design idea. Notice importance of well picked typeface, size and color as well, red color is used very well to get necessary accents – lovely.
By the way did I mention, designer is only 17 years old?
Interesting blog execution. I just love light designs and this structure would be great for small blog, though if content amounts grow in future, there would be problems with categories and sidebar, where I would add more choices for visitors to click.
Trendy design, very good colors for easy reading and interesting idea about boxes opening while navigating between different business plans.
Notice also unique “more” button and how navigation is emphasized with really subtle effects. I have one confusion though – why “Login” button on top right side isn’t in the dark field, but somewhere in the middle? Small point, but I am sure just inattention mistake. Interesting to find little points right?
Eye candy – modern colors and execution.
Very unique website, everything is tied together literally! I don’t know for what purpose this website is created but could turn out great portfolio or css (or whatever) showcase site!
Maybe not one of the most user-friendly websites, but you cannot deny – definitely grabs attention! Exercise for yourself – what’s so special in this design, what makes it to look professional, not cheap? I think this is great solution for product based websites where you don’t need to deliver big amounts of information.
I just keep finding more hand-drawn type trendy webdesigns from this author! Great inspiration to look how you can create modern yet a little bit playful type of design. I don’t know why, but only thing I would like to fix in this design is that dark border around featured images in articles. From my point of view more brighter or exactly opposite – lighter color would suit there a lot better.
Notice beautiful watercolor header and cute RSS, Twitter icons.
Professional, perfectly aligned website using subtle white and blue colors. Could turn out as great corporate website, by the way it is for sale.
Now, cons I am noticing is – I love that popular mac window, but description under “Mission Statement” is simply unreadable don’t you agree? I also don’t understand why “Twitter Feeds” section has icon, but all other ones have not? Design would look a lot better with icons on each category I guess.
Put your attention to header navigation, which is very interesting and eye catchy, phone icon also get good attention, exactly how it was intended.
Just beautiful design – I was surprised there are so many colors used – blue, orange,brown,white, green, even red, but it all together looks just outstanding! Here’s some impressive inspiration!
Very interesting retro type web design in the meantime looking very modern. I enjoy the use of subtle textures and monochromic colors – just plain black and white!
Well executed design showing how to display huge amounts of information in good way. Impressive 3D effects work throughout whole design, only I think company now definitely needs a new logo design.
Extreme website, T-shirt shop design executed in really good way, I think it’s very relevant, colorful, in the meantime looking very harmonic and aligned. Logotype is great and those stitches throughout whole design are relevant to T-shirt (stitches in fabrics) and give design it’s uniqueness.
This website is very polished, I suggest to visit it as great inspiration. By the way this theme is on sale in Themeforest, where you can actually see live version of this website. Great work. Check out live demo on Themeforest.
Very interesting design concept, great for product/image based websites. This one is for SPA salon.
Website for sale by the way and what I like in this template to so much is colors, logo approach (though typographic template one, but still nice) and placement. Interesting concept behind mood template – light grey at the header and pitch black at the footer.
I am not sure though about gradients in buttons, they seem to disappear and become blurred in design, and yes – concept is good, but for me that pitch black gradient seems to be too strong. White text on black background isn’t the favorite color scheme for eyes.
This design caught my attention with it’s unique and interesting top navigation. While website should require a lot of tweaking to work as real sale shop, color scheme and item placement is really great.
Trendy and unique website design, I enjoy all the arrows to point and get smiling attention to necessary sections. While header, sidebar and content section are very polished at least for me footer looks too short, text in footer too big to be harmonic. Other than that – great design concept!
Website design for company CompanionFinder – Adult friend finder. Girl definitely grabbed my attention, so header is purposely and well done I presume. Color selection is interesting and very harmonic and easy for eye to look at and read. Polished site, my attention grabbers were header with girl, and then textures in background making look design transparent and professional.
As I mentioned several times before already, it’s really hard task to process huge amounts of information in user-friendly and harmonic way. One more great inspiration with good concept and well thought through small section placements.
Simply great eye-candy. No more comments needed here I presume.
Interesting color contrasts – site is using just blue and monochromic colors to achieve everything. Definitely grabbed my attention as unique design.
Great corporate website design, actually for sale. Click to image to see it full view, many small details are nicely done there.
Simply amazing, very clean and professional design here!
Amazing water/ice type theme – I would love to see how this design would look as live blog! Very refreshing!
Interesting magazine type theme, we all know how hard is to view a lot of information in transparent way. I am not sure about background though, other than that – simple and professional!
Beautiful choice of colors, AlexDesigns is very talented designer and this work doesn’t dissapoint as well! Eye candy and surprisingly I cannot find anything I don’t like in this design!
This is my first time doing such research, review and critiques so you can be harsh too. Point out to my mistakes, you don’t agree with, add your opinion – I would love to hear it. Critiques for us, designers, is the best way how to improve, would love to hear your thoughts here.
I am even thinking making this advanced feature, analyzing some fresh, popular redesigns, pointing out tools and techniques how specific effects are created in design and maybe even create some fresh tutorials. Now is your time to talk, I did mine!
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Dainis Graveris is 23 years old blogger and designer, founder of 1stWebDesigner, now more silently managing everything behind the scenes. He usually hangs out in Twitter tweeting design related links and chatting with people. If you have any questions or feedback that's the best place to start! Cheers!
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 09:33
Really great collection!!!
nice designs for inspiration…
Thanks for the sharing
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 16:00
Great list, once again. Really enjoyed reading.
Thanks for the feature too. I really appreciate it!
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 22:53
Thanks, Great article. There is always nice inspiration coming from deviantart
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 21:50
Very nice collection of some truly refreshing designs. My favorite was also Sense v1, wish it was a live flash site to experience it fully.
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 21:01
Just so you know, you are supporting a art thief, designresources’ inFocus Template is not his work is done by WebTreats, if you had read the deviation description fully you would have seen this.
Friday, March 5th, 2010 04:28
Thank you so much for taking time to share this with us. It’s a great collection and I’m honored to be featured among all these amazing designers. Your own critique is a nice touch and I think you should continue to do this.
“Only confusion for me is left top section “Welcome to 1800Skyride” – all other sections has it’s own boxes but here text is just lying in the air. I am not sure – maybe it’s good thing, welcome text got my attention, but main text is a little hard to read.”
I did tried at first to make for this section a box similar to the other ones, but to me, it looked crowded and seemed too much (like i was too lazy to think of something else :) The text is still in progress, as we are doing the coding part, so that’s not a big problem and it can be made more legible. But I’m pleased of how it came out.
My favorite design from this collection has to be Sense Design V1 by webdesigner1921. But that’s more than design, it’s art. Every time I look at it, I find something new.
Thank you again for the feature. I really appreciate it.
and thank you Lukas S for the compliment :)
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 18:53
Thank you for support, I hope i will get better on this in future :)
I would be excited to see live version of site as soon as it’s finished :)
As I said I am not sure yet if that text field is good or bad thing. You have video on the right side, which is different, maybe it’s good, just caught my eye :)
Sensedesign really is masterpiece of artwork not just design :)
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:45
Hello enzudesign here, many thanks for featuring one of my works.
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:21
some really great designs in here, good idea putting your own input but from what I read you didn’t really mention anything bad about some of these designs
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:18
Great Collection! Not only the designs are gorgeous, your critique to each design will make this blog to one of the best Design Blogs I’ve ever read.
The AVG – SkyRide Design by AntoniaVG and the designs of webdesigner1921 are just amazing!
Oh… and thanks for your feature! I feel honored to be a part of this Blog.
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 18:21
So kind words – thank you!
Agreed, actually I love each design here, just tried to express myself how those designs could get even better from my point of view.
Ah, keep updated and I think we will find more ways how you can be involved here, of course if you will wish that :)
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 15:18
Man, this is one nice collection you have here. I will be sure to return to it for inspiration. As far as opinions I’m going to have to say that the mobile designs really stand out to me. I’m a big fan of show me what you want, and let me decide, and they really offer than.
You can tell pastel & neon colors are back in, along with transparency and grid design.
Great work! + Added to RSS :D
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 14:36
Very nice collection Dainis, loved it. Some of the posts were amazing! Being a non-designer, it was great to see it!
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 20:18
Comic books aren’t “Funny books” Anymore. If you don’t think this way try reading Preacher, or the Sandman graphic novels, or Watchmen, or.. well pretty much anything.
There’s probably a reason you didn’t find “funny icons” On that site.
As a comic fan I just had to stand up and say that.
It’s out of my system now.
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 17:51
Nice collection. What a great talents have you presented…
Sense Design V1 looks full of life…
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 17:38
some really nice and unique designs here…thanks for finding and sharing
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 15:15
A very nice collection of some really great design. I like that you write your own thoughs to every design which you featured here, that’s much better than a normal list with good designs.
In addition, a big, big THANKS for featuring 3 of my designs (15, 16, 21)! The number 16 is already online now, but needs a little bit more work on it: http://design-creators.net/ (German).
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:45
Hottest round-up I’ve ever seen!
Thumbs up Dainis! :)
Honestly haven’t read the cirtique yet though, I’ll read it and make sure to share my personal thoughts.
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 14:38
Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.. I am open to hear critique about my critique ;D
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:08
Thank you! You have beautiful works, it was my pleasure!
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 12:23
Nice post. I really like the Producer Portfolio Business by designresource as well. Nice and clean.
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 12:06
This is a great example of a well-written list post – hands down to that. I really like the “Sense Design V1″, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:09
I appreciate your words, Marco!
Yes, Sense Design is really impressive, I tried to go forward and actually raise discussion showing my point of view, we’ll see how it goes :)
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Marco
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 12:06
This is a great example of a well-written list post – hands down to that. I really like the “Sense Design V1″, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Dainis Graveris
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:09
I appreciate your words, Marco!
Yes, Sense Design is really impressive, I tried to go forward and actually raise discussion showing my point of view, we’ll see how it goes :)
Manuj
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:42
Thanks for the feature :) Great article for web design :)
JC
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 17:38
some really nice and unique designs here…thanks for finding and sharing
Amberly | Web Designer
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 17:51
Nice collection. What a great talents have you presented…
Sense Design V1 looks full of life…
vectorilla
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 20:41
Nice collection and really great post thanks
Bearfoot
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 20:18
Comic books aren’t “Funny books” Anymore. If you don’t think this way try reading Preacher, or the Sandman graphic novels, or Watchmen, or.. well pretty much anything.
There’s probably a reason you didn’t find “funny icons” On that site.
As a comic fan I just had to stand up and say that.
It’s out of my system now.
ivomynttinen
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 15:15
A very nice collection of some really great design. I like that you write your own thoughs to every design which you featured here, that’s much better than a normal list with good designs.
In addition, a big, big THANKS for featuring 3 of my designs (15, 16, 21)! The number 16 is already online now, but needs a little bit more work on it: http://design-creators.net/ (German).
Peach
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 12:23
Nice post. I really like the Producer Portfolio Business by designresource as well. Nice and clean.
Htoo Tay Zar
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 12:18
Truly, Amazing Designs… Thanks for great compilaton…
Prince Pal
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:03
Nice collection and thanks for featured me…
Dainis Graveris
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:08
Thank you! You have beautiful works, it was my pleasure!
Mahmoud
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 13:45
Hottest round-up I’ve ever seen!
Thumbs up Dainis! :)
Honestly haven’t read the cirtique yet though, I’ll read it and make sure to share my personal thoughts.
Dainis Graveris
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 14:38
Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.. I am open to hear critique about my critique ;D
Nishant's Blog
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 14:36
Very nice collection Dainis, loved it. Some of the posts were amazing! Being a non-designer, it was great to see it!
Doug Montgomery (Douglife)
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 15:18
Man, this is one nice collection you have here. I will be sure to return to it for inspiration. As far as opinions I’m going to have to say that the mobile designs really stand out to me. I’m a big fan of show me what you want, and let me decide, and they really offer than.
You can tell pastel & neon colors are back in, along with transparency and grid design.
Great work! + Added to RSS :D
Thomas
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 22:53
Thanks, Great article. There is always nice inspiration coming from deviantart
Panduranga Chary
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 09:33
Really great collection!!!
nice designs for inspiration…
Thanks for the sharing
Alex Marin
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 16:00
Great list, once again. Really enjoyed reading.
Thanks for the feature too. I really appreciate it!
Misael
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 21:50
Very nice collection of some truly refreshing designs. My favorite was also Sense v1, wish it was a live flash site to experience it fully.
Lukas S
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:18
Great Collection! Not only the designs are gorgeous, your critique to each design will make this blog to one of the best Design Blogs I’ve ever read.
The AVG – SkyRide Design by AntoniaVG and the designs of webdesigner1921 are just amazing!
Oh… and thanks for your feature! I feel honored to be a part of this Blog.
Dainis Graveris
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 18:21
So kind words – thank you!
Agreed, actually I love each design here, just tried to express myself how those designs could get even better from my point of view.
Ah, keep updated and I think we will find more ways how you can be involved here, of course if you will wish that :)
Greg Babula
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:21
some really great designs in here, good idea putting your own input but from what I read you didn’t really mention anything bad about some of these designs
enzudesign
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 16:45
Hello enzudesign here, many thanks for featuring one of my works.
Dainis Graveris
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 17:15
Thank you for feedback, great design! :)
Nickio15
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 17:30
This is a really nice design!
zohaib
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 21:12
what a great compilation. Thanks for share :)
Aaron Pearce
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 21:01
Just so you know, you are supporting a art thief, designresources’ inFocus Template is not his work is done by WebTreats, if you had read the deviation description fully you would have seen this.
AntoniaGoga
Friday, March 5th, 2010 04:28
Thank you so much for taking time to share this with us. It’s a great collection and I’m honored to be featured among all these amazing designers. Your own critique is a nice touch and I think you should continue to do this.
“Only confusion for me is left top section “Welcome to 1800Skyride” – all other sections has it’s own boxes but here text is just lying in the air. I am not sure – maybe it’s good thing, welcome text got my attention, but main text is a little hard to read.”
I did tried at first to make for this section a box similar to the other ones, but to me, it looked crowded and seemed too much (like i was too lazy to think of something else :) The text is still in progress, as we are doing the coding part, so that’s not a big problem and it can be made more legible. But I’m pleased of how it came out.
My favorite design from this collection has to be Sense Design V1 by webdesigner1921. But that’s more than design, it’s art. Every time I look at it, I find something new.
Thank you again for the feature. I really appreciate it.
and thank you Lukas S for the compliment :)
Dainis Graveris
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 18:53
Thank you for support, I hope i will get better on this in future :)
I would be excited to see live version of site as soon as it’s finished :)
As I said I am not sure yet if that text field is good or bad thing. You have video on the right side, which is different, maybe it’s good, just caught my eye :)
Sensedesign really is masterpiece of artwork not just design :)