Sneaking into Future: 25 Ultra Modern Websites Using HTML5
Tom Walker
HTML5, the next major revision of HTML, the language of the internet, is set to revolutionize the way web developers and designers create websites and the way visitors use them. It’s being edited by Ian Hickson of Google and David Hyatt of Apple, two of the web’s greatest creative minds.
Besides enabling web developers/designers to use cleaner, simpler, more consistent code, HTML5 will help them break free from the confines of 3rd party proprietary plugins like Adobe Flash. For the first time, it will be possible to achieve consistency between video player interfaces and overall website design. Users will be able to rotate, move, resize and even detect motion in a video while its playing, using inbuilt video controls.
Through HTML5’s canvas element, users will be able to render graphics and images on the fly, again without the need for plugins. You can try rotating an HTML5 video here and using the canvas element here. Both feel truly amazing!
Besides demos and other online experiments, there are actually a number of working sites using HTML5 today, although few, if any, make the most of this language’s potential capabilities. We explore 25 of the best below, the vast majority of which belong to web developers and web development agencies keen to show off their HTML5 skills to potential clients. Take a look and explore the code for an insight into the future of the internet. Be warned, however, few display properly in Internet Explorer.
1. Ella Design
Originally from Hong Kong, but now based in the USA, Ella of Ella Design is an award-winning graphic/web designer with over 8 years experience in the industry. Her website is a “playground” in which she engages with HTML5 and CSS 3.
2. Pelletized
Pelletized is the site of Ed Wheeler, Oregon-based graphic/web designer and HTML/CSS developer extraordinaire. He’s played a major hand in the creation of several high-profile sites, including JobInterviewEdge.com and EssayEdge.com.
3. MiniApps
MiniApps is a mobile phone app microsite from Alex Gibson, currently offering two great, free apps for iPhone, Android, Palm Pre and Firefox Mobile: Card Flip, a classic memory game, and Checklist, a to-do and shopping list tool.
4. Donkey Magic
Donkey Magic is Richard Stephenson’s blog. He uses it to keep the world up-to-date with his web development work and life in general. Recent posts include a CSS 3 & jQuery image gallery experiment.
5. Bonsai
Bonsai is a unique web development tool used to build sites that feature lots of images. Bonsai’s own website has been created using HTML5.
6. letscountthedays
letscountthedays is the online portfolio of Shane Howe, web and user interface designer. His client list includes Pinnacle Security and Urban Shadow, for whom he performed all web design, branding and even online copy writing.
7. Sarsini
Learn more about Martin Sarsini, Glasgow-based web developer, on this HTML5-fortified site. This site, which incorporates a blog, is simple, but very stylish.
8. Nimbupani
Nimbupani is home to web designer, Divya Manian. Obsessed with HTML5, you can learn a lot from her blog as well as her Twitter page.
9. Ousmane Ndiaye
Ousmane Ndiaye is a passionate, French web designer. An SEO and W3C standards specialist, his site makes the most of current HTML5 knowledge.
10. Media Research Institute
Experts in all things web based, the Media Research Institute operates from Tokyo, Japan. Besides building websites, the company has produced many popular mobile apps, such as Mixi.
11. Anino
An interesting bunch, Anino are a shadow puppet collective based in the Philippines. Their site offers listings of upcoming shadow-puppet performances as well as several videos highlighting their work.
12. CatCubed
CatCubed is the site of Colin Fahrion, artist, designer, developer and avid cyclist. The site looks great in Firefox and Safari, but Internet Explorer can’t handle the large amount of CSS 3 used.
13. Impactideas
Impactideas is a small graphic design studio based in Belgium with a lovingly designed website. They specialize in the creation of logos, brochures, catalogues and packaging.
14. Moriconi
Moriconi is a highly fashionable Italian hair studio, based in Camaiore, Lucca, Tuscany. HTML5 has brought this straightforward site to the cutting edge of modern web design.
15. LittleCoogie
LittleCoogie, based in Bangkok, Thailand, sells high-end children’s party clothing through its HTML5 e-commerce site, made by Andrew Brundle. Its color-picker tool is a great feature.
16. OK Cool
German fashion blog, OK Cool, incorporates HTML5 into its search functionality and comment forms.
17. Dn’D
French web development agency and Magento e-commerce expert, Dn’D, has created a really stylish site for itself, even if it is a little too reminiscent of the standard OS X Leopard background. Since its formation in 2004, Dn’D has worked with BP, Warner Bros and many other high-profile clients.
18. Sprachkonstrukt
Sprachkonstrukt is a blog covering all things related to design, photography and digital lifestyles. It’s managed by Ruben Deyhle, a web developer who also runs a photo blog on the site.
19. Stompfrog
Stompfrog, website of web designer/developer Chris Bewick, is a wonder to navigate around. Users can scroll through the website using their mouse wheel- a highly original touch.
20. Shape Shed
Shape Shed, website of freelance, London-based developer George Ornbo, was built using Jekyll, a simple static site generator, as well as CSS 3, jQuery and HTML5. Firefox or Safari is needed to see the site as George intended.
21. Smile Sleepy
Jamie Calabro is a web designer/developer with a great knowledge of everything from HTML to CSS, JavaScript, SEO, brand development and even print and packaging design. He can count Coca-Cola amongst his past clients. Smile Sleepy is Jamie’s place to showcase his work to the world.
22. sw’as
The rather unusually named sw’as is the home of 26-year-old web developer Simon Elvery. Alongside engaging articles on everything and anything internet related, you’ll find musings on politics, books, movies, music and more.
23. Frojd
Frojd is a beautifully designed blog from Swedish digital agency of the same name. Thanks to plenty of white space and a grassy header image, this site feels as fresh and airy as a Swedish fjord.
24. Tim Benniks
Tim Benniks is a Dutch web professional who specializes in the development of simple, intuitive interfaces. Use his site to get in touch with Tim himself or to view his past projects, which include a new CMS called Zotonic.
25. DS3
From Sao Paolo, Brazil, DS3 is a web agency with a fantastic eye for visual communication and style. It recently masterminded a new branding initiative for the largest maker of forklift trucks in Latin America, Paletrans.
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k
Posted 42 days ago 35The HTML sites all look the same. they are boxes, boxes, boxes!!! I hate them. Flash websites are interesting and different. All of you coders wanted to keep HTML because that is all that you know. So your sites all look like layered boxes with the same wide screen layouts of boxed images and text.
I looked through some of the above sites. Some sites use wall paper, which was fought against for year because they are unnecessary and ugly. The pages jump when buffering, along with light flashes. The pages are unstable, shaky and flicker. The navigation buttons are found in the typical areas, above or at the sides in boxes. And the pages are a mess.
One page has a scroll bar
Another page has interactive contents.
I would not spend any time in a messy site like the ones that I navigated through.
Flash sites are smoother, organized, stable and engaging. Every activity in a Flash website is smooth, easy to navigate and does not need all of the extra effort to try to make them look cool. It is easy to say something looks cool when it really does not. Adding a cool graphic does not make to site look good, especially when it looks like a magazine cover, or a poster, or a cd cover.
I understand that some programmers are good with HTML but flash allowed those of us who are not programmers to create interactive websites that are good and work fine. Many people who do not know how to program a Flash website wish to do away with Flash, rather than let both HTML5 and Flash exist together. If you can program in HTML5, why must you destroy the ability of Flash site developer from using the tool that they love. I no longer like Steve Jobs. When he learned that 12 year old children in China was working 60 Hr days, his callous remark about his long working hours did not include his own children working at all!! He merely wished to control all methods used within the web, hence, his assault against Adobe Flash. If any Flash developer wish to begin a movement to help Google acquire Flash from Adobe, I will be supportive of the movement and will do what ever it take to keep Flash live and viable.
k
Posted 42 days ago 34The HTML sites all look the same. they are boxes, boxes, boxes!!! I hate them. Flash websites are interesting and different. All of you coders wanted to keep HTML because that is all that you know. So you sites all look like coders made them. Boring.
Julien DIDIER
Posted 64 days ago 33Hi !
We have just launched the new version of our website (once more and html5).
Feel free to come take a look!
Thesing
Posted 89 days ago 32I agree that HTML5 is too far than flash and also flash is very powerful than HTML5. Below are the few points which I have noticed
1) Video compatibility (youtube html5 player need different format of video for different browsers, which directly impact on storage and bandwidth)
2) Styling (need separate CSS for different browsers)
3) Multiple audio support at one time and simulations
4) Code is not secure
And many more…
But as per my analysis and Adobe Flash acceptance for HTML 5. Seems that after few years HTML 5 will be closer competitor.
Go Inspired
Posted 98 days ago 31Let me know what you think about this one html5+css3:
Go Inspired
Thanks!