These aren’t all necessarily new, but are currently sitting at the top of my queue for what I deem to be the best experiences the web has to offer (that I could think of, off-hand).


1. NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com

I know it’s not an original choice, but do they ever cease to amaze in their industry-leading work? They have single-handedly defined the online news experience and continue to raise the meter for the rest of us. Premium info-graphics, great writing and world-class content keep it at the top of my list. Also be sure to check out NYT Art Director Khoi Vihn’s site for more insight into their design process.


2. Chow/Chowhound:
http://www.chow.com

As a food snob, I never tire of the gems I dig up on this site. Much improved since its purchase by CNET. From the turtle-speed load of yesteryear, it’s a truly engaged community, rich with advice, media and heated exchanges. It never gets old.


3. Virb:
http://www.virb.com

Virb is just hands-down beautiful. One of the top-designed sites out there. It’s close-to-perfect in it’s straightforwardness. You can’t go wrong with clean, clean, clean. Throw in soft corners, punchy color schemes and amazing customization options for compelling pages.


4. I’m in Like With You:
http://iminlikewithyou.com/

I came across this site from a coworker who is keenly adept at uncovering social networking’s latest. While mostly geared towards a crowd young enough to be my kids, it takes a whole new spin on the tired old profile cliché by adding a game-oriented approach. The design is fun and cheery and incorporates a new spin on the image gallery by using Flash in a dynamic way. Add in responsive feedback and loads of page interactivity and you have a winner.


5. Picnik:
http://www.picnik.com

Supremely easy-to-use online photo editor that offers some of the capabilities of full-featured software like Photoshop and some of the simpler feature sets found in iPhoto. Additionally, the user interface is not just clear and concise, but warm and fuzzy, inviting us to poke around and get comfortable.

6. Ourvice:
http://www.ourvice.com

Fluid, tight Flash interface combined with award-winning level work makes this one of the best design agency sites of the year. Also check out the sweet and simple New Orleans’ tribute site, What’s Going On. http://www.whatsgoinon.org/site.html


7. Rikcat:
http://www.rikcatindustries.com/

Artist Rik Catlow not only excels in illustration and painting, but his web-design is clean and inspired in it’s simplicity and elegance. Have a look and buy some of his wares.


8. NTMY (Nice to Meet You):
http://ntmy.org/

This design-oriented blog always have top notch work displayed in a beautifully rendered site. I visit every day.


9. Silicon Alley Insider:
http://www.alleyinsider.com/

Insightful analysis of the web-biz-o-sphere. Henry Blodget offers not just encapsulated nuggets, but gazes into his crystal ball and makes bold forecasts on web industry players. Always a good read.


10. LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/

They improved their overall experience this year with design and UI revisions that enabled a richer site. Helps that they’ve added the ability to email your contacts. Seems like that would have been a given. Other new features include a higher level of social engagement with news about your company and a Facebook-like contacts feed.


ADDITIONAL FAVES (10 is never enough, is it?):


Facebook
http://www.facebook.com

Yeah, another unoriginal choice, but hot damn if this site didn’t finally capture my imagination and in the process, steal my eyeballs away from the oh-so-last-year-or-three MySpace. It’s all in that feed and the applications, kids. They keep us all glued.


Emil Kozak:
http://emilkozak.com

His work is beautiful and at the top of the game. He has few peers and sets the bar for many, including myself. I am always inspired whenever I visit his site and go back frequently to get a creative charge when needed.


Vox:
http://www.vox.com

One of the better blogging sites out there. It breaks the cardboard cutout mold by using the neighborhood analogy for connecting people. It allows you to see peeks into your friends activities and goings-on in an aggregate view. This, combined with slick templates and high customization keeps Vox on my radar.


Bravo TV:
http://www.bravotv.com/

At first, I wasn’t fond of the redesign, but it grew on me and over time, I realized it’s greatness. It defies the grid, with awkward shapes and angles, uses color in glorious ways and the network has a smart roster of shows to boot.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 2:10 pm and is filed under Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.