This is a peculiar navigation system which I found on the website of a band called Arcade Fire. It is a Canadian band of great songs. The website is very interesting. At first it looks very complicated. It is definitely not too practical either. But it is a system of finding way in the band's site to get to know the members of the group. It is alive in it's design and engages people in looking through different buttons. Once I really spent a good hour looking and waiting what will come next. This sort of system which is involving people and sharpening their observation skills is something what I find amazing. In a way though all practical systems of finding way are creating a pattern of rules which people are used to. I believe that the exercise of getting lost is beneficial for a designers work. Arcade Fire website allows you to do that quite easily and and finding your way is an interesting experience, enjoying a process.
What helps is: a stylized drawing, which hides secret buttons all the way through, unexpected events like a marshmallow falling from the sky or a turning board. All that brakes conventions of a web design thinking. It is not a point even if it is a very practical thing for the band. They are only showing a feel/flavor of what they really are which feels refreshing to me. Also from a designer's point of view it is nice to see how rules of navigation can be broken and still fill the purpose of the website. I believe that in some cases of moving around and finding your way the process of looking is actually more important, than the the finishing point. That may not necessarily apply to a journey in a funky building which you don't know, don't like and once you are in rush, but if that's not the case it is good to explore and enjoy.
Details:
Made couple of years ago by Vicent and Morriset
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