I just finished reading/looking through the latest interactive design annual from Communication Arts. This is the first one that I have really had a chance to sit down with and really read into. I was a bit surprised, or refreshed might be a better way of putting it. The interactive design annual was just that, design oriented. It did not focus on features of the sites or how the site operated as much the design of the site. I think there are many web applications that are great. Many of these, however, fall short in user experience; not by bad, but horrible design. Many articles and magazines highlights these sites with complete disregard to how horrible the design is. This annual did not miss a beat with the design.

It is interesting that in the world of computing user interfaces come to be of secondary importance with the majority of software on the web targeting the masses. After peeling through the first couple of pages, I instantly had to go to my computer and click away. That is what intrigues me so much about interactive design. You can look at a work and want to touch it and interact with it in a physical dynamic way. With the web this becomes possible. While other types or art (if I may call it that) reach a user in a different way, I think the web can trigger that same imagination that a painting by Salvador Daly can. I will review some of the highlights from each category below.

Adversiting ?Äì Coke

This one took some reading to enjoy. The fact that Coke-a-cola had the smarts to continue its long standing brand identity on the web enthralled me. Coke is Coke. You know the logo and you can recognize their color scheme from miles away. Their site, or sites, put customers all over the world in different places and gave them a different experience’s. Coke has done a wonderful job of unifying its sites into one universal entry point (in many languages). One place, one experience that can be universally enjoyed. Not only is this site great looking, but it is a fun house for all things Coke.

Business ?Äì Converse Shoes

What a fun look. A mix of old school images and vector art. Sound like anything? How about a perfect way to describe what Converse should do in a website. This site is fun, interactive, and a great way to find a pair of converse shoes. Not just any pair though, they make you feel like you are connecting with someone else who would wear the same shoes. Normally, I want my own unique pair, but this site makes you feel like the shoes that you are getting are attached to a club. A club of people that fit you, just like the shoe should.

Entertainment ?Äì Spam Recycling

This site takes your email spam and makes it into something useful…well at least something pretty. This site has converted over 340,000 pieces of spam into art. You can take your spam here and recycle it. It turns it into a vortex or color and spinning objects. While there is not a whole lot of function to this, some twisted group of people put a lot of time into something that was once thought to be worthless.

Info ?Äì What Noise

A creative organization. All I have to say is at the end of this site you almost are forced to have a heart. If you do not have empathy at after interacting with this site for 3 minutes, you probably need to go out to eat with someone and offer to pay, as hard as that may be. This is a simplistic design with an idea that works. This is how all organizations should be.

Self Promotion – Urban Silo

This is just a great looking presentation of a creative company. No, Alexander Calder was not a part of this team, though with this mobile like site, I wouldn’t put past that them that they may be fans of his. This is a great way to show off a company that does things in an interesting manner for other people.

The entire list of site from each category can be found here. I only described some of my favorites. There are plenty more to look though.