700 words

My chosen site is http://www.tbwahakuhodo.co.jp/ . Yes I’m about to write 700 words in English about a Japanese site. The reason why I’m able to do this is simple; the site represents itself through art rather than words and symbols. There are words on this site and many of them are in English. Actually, upon writing that just now I’ve discovered the word “ENLISH” in the bottom corner can be clicked upon and translates all the words into English. So now I’ve managed to find the information page; and just as I’d guessed it’s an advertising company’s site.

So in terms of whether I think this site falls into the category of design or art, I’m going to have to say design. For me, as wonderful as the site is to look at (it is very artistic), it’s purpose and function is very clear. It’s a marketing site. Therefore it has the objective of meeting future clients through its site presentation. However, when compared to other marketing companies it’s completely different. I mean, for starters, how many marketing companies use flash based site? Let alone have a look that’s anywhere near as bizarre as this one. Bizarre is perhaps a strong word, but remember I’m writing in English about a Japanese site, they’re presentations of many things are usually quite different to that of the western worlds. There’s no impeccably neat look that says “hey we’re professionals, we can market you’re product to look as perfect as ours”, but you still get a very strong sense that they know what they’re doing.

Many examples of they’re work is displayed on the site through the sites artistic presentation it can be identified with easily by individuals. It showcases a lot of the work it’s done for big brands. It has the scrolling list of clitents it’s done work for; Apple, Aidas, Michelin, Renault and Nissan, to name a few but the way it present’s even this most basic content (a list) is so unique. There is a flashed based crowed of viewers for everything, including one with a parrot on their shoulder. Then there is everything going on around the one small bit of information this page is presenting. There’s sky divers, hot air balloons, Multicoloured trees and a wonderfully contrasting line of black and white architecture in this strange world. The colours are warm and inviting as are the friendly faces of the flash characters. This site has the function of selling its company and this is one of the best methods I’ve ever seen. They’re not just telling what they can do, but are showcasing it while at the same time making connections with the viewers. There are quite a few other sites around that showcase what they’re capable of, but they are not usually this breed of company and although sometimes have more impressive graphics don’t have the same fun factor or yield as much involvement.

One of my favourite feature of this site is it’s loading screen. Once again it’s every artistic, and yes I classified this site as design but maybe under more consideration it’s using art to design something very clever. The loading screen is a construct of 1950s style décor around an old lift and lanterns on the wall that cast a warm light. There is a lady as well who is dressed to match. Her calm face, the warm colours, nice ornaments and welcoming lounges in this foyer are very pleasing to look at, even though they seemingly have nothing to do with the site. Actually a lot of the things seem to have very little relevance to what it’s promoting. Though, when using the site I never really stopped to ask myself why they included a man standing on a surfboard with a briefcase or a panda that bounced around on a spring. It just somehow works to capture you.

There are boarders and vectors that draw to the home screen’s great depths and a giant mechanical hand that reaches out and grabs you every time you click to go somewhere; I just said go somewhere… See that’s the beauty of this site it captures you so much that going through it’s features feels more like a journey than a web experience.

This is the thing I find most impressive about the site and what I would like to use as an influence for the style of my final site. One that feels more like a journey just than web experience.