Website Flaws to Avoid, Part II: Why Bigger is Always Better
by Lawren Ussery
Despite the advent of the super sized desktop screen, I have lately noticed the continued use of small image sizes on websites. Many web designers have been pushing away from this trend, but not enough to make an impact. I hate the anticlimax of entering an image gallery, expecting a series of big, beautiful images, and finding a display only worthy enough to be called glorified thumbnails, like this:
What’s with all of that unused white space? Sure, there’s nothing bad about a minimalistic website design, but this one is just boring. Simplicity doesn’t mean “have nothing going on” (as this one does), it means “have the least going on to create the greatest amount of impact”.
Why use a sixth of a computer screen when you can use half? Why go half screen when you can go full? These are questions that professionals using websites – specifically photographers – should be considering. What good can forcing prospective clients to squint as they view your image galleries do? Super sizing your images is a key component in getting noticed and creating impact.
BIG Folio has recently put out some gorgeous designs featuring bigger than ever image container sizes. Here’s a screen shot of Redmond, BIG Folio’s unique, high-def design. Images can be in either vertical collage format, or in single image horizontal layout.
Next is Sunriver, BIG Folio’s first full screen offering. Now this is how you do minimalism and simplicity; no bells and whistles, just great big photos and no distractions.
