Diversify Yourself = Limitless

Isabelle de Vooght
A very good portfolio site (content wise), seeing how this designer successfully conveying message of a car brand's selling point, combining both seemlessly non related object together. Who says you can't do that? That mini site won herself quite few recognition.


ConceptM
Just when I stumbled across this site, i went like, "ah...ok, the simplest idea that people say it might not work, might turn out to be the best idea". And this sparks another reason saying how limitless what kind of outcome Flash can do to you. A newspaper, as a company's site. Who say you can't do that? It's the matter of you want to do or don't want to.


Pardus - Massively Multiplayer Online Browser Game
Let's see, how things evolved nowadays, where prefernce are moving towards browser based application, which installation are void, except that you need to have a fast connection, and a hassle free browser, like Firefox, and a latest plugin from Flash. If you fancy a Shoot & Loot action, head on to The Land of the Dead.


Wayne Kerr Music
This is another site which sparks a good marriage between textures, music, vector graphics and some neat navigation. Though this site has came way back then, and looks dated, but the idea isn't, you might think to grab some inspiration off from different section and make it new all over again, and yes, this site gives a 'narrative-style' of presenting information, the left site and the right side are divided equally, and visually, it's beautiful. :D


Dstrict
Remember a site back in 2004 that appeared for Samsung, and broke the tradition of defining interactivity? And created a 'OH MY GOD' on everyone's mind? Yes, this is the portfolio site for the company that developed that site, DSTRICT, based in Korea, even on this site itself, the navigation and 'interactive experience' are clearly redefined, and how 'exploring navigation' should be. A+ Class Quality & Revolutionary


Pixel::Blog
A blog dedicated towards some rich media application development, another hangout by the Flash Developers discussing on what's hot and not on the scene, plus you'll find at lot of interesting post targetting towards technology, browsers and operating system, good to know you'll learn something extra to optimize your Flash projects.


Crew 11
Latest graduating list of students from HyperIsland, namely crew11, and ready for internship for a period of 6 month (if i remember correctly), which turned out to moving towards a different art direction this time, compared what is usually done, previously, (look Crew9) which suggests a bright and clear look of the graduates, which this time, they decided to move towards a darker theme. This of course, created a lot of conversation between designers, and the reaction and outcome turned out to be very positive and satisfying. Having a web based project as big as this is certainly not an easy task, especially when dealing with more than 5 person involved. (You'll certainly know if you managed any campaign before), deadlines, and commitments, everything. I'd salute and bow to these dudes out there. And of course, HyperIsland is one of my dream land to step on.


SamBakZa
SamBakZa, a very unusual name, but it's already very infamous among Flash animators, especially if you visit NewGrounds frequently for your daily flicks on Flash Animations, you'll see the top 10 having 2 animation did by these 3 talented dude from Korea, titled "There She Is". Of course, what makes them stands out so much from the rest, let's say, Ninjai? Is because the planning and execution would makes your jaw drops upon watching it(the animation). Camera Angles, music and sound effect synching, and well, virtually, you'll have to see for yourself. And this really makes everyone wondering, afterall, is it all about the $$$ or passion? Kudos to them.


TychoMusic
If you'd need a break and in search for a different direction and a retro look, head over to this site, and note the styling done on the site's header, a video, yes.


Swatch
Are you ready for some spring'ing action? Inspired by the latest sets of watches for Spring (note the season). You'll see how bouncy the site would be for you.


Spring By Dannon
*BOING* Those dudes from Juxt Interactive has done it again! I can't stress enough how much I enjoy most of their latest web projects, since NesteaIce, which nominated as the finalist for the Best Sound Category for Flash Forward this year. And also, the not very long ago, Just For the F Of It are also granted the Best Site of the day by TheFwa, man, this guys just really know how to keep the user busy with the brand while keeping the site loading. Pure fun. And clever.


Struck Design
Design, randomness, textures, and design, there's where you can talk about going inside the site.

http://www.oneclub.org/oneshow/osi.php
Probably one of the most enlighting quote that I've saw throughout this year, "If you aren't doing interactive, you'd better get out of the business." Something really that great about this site, is THAT IT IS THAT BIG. And it's almost like the Emmy or Grammies for Interactive Design. Just look at the Gold winners, you'll be amazed on how something that is so unconventional works commercially. And you'll of course, find yourself looking at a vast variety of creative works.

Describe Fun & Refreshing =/= Commercialism?

It has been a major great debate around decades for designers from our country, the beloved Malaysia. Money or Passion? How much is the blame to be put? On the designers or client? Or pointing finger is useful anymore? Or the responsibility comes back to designer to always hold on to the passion and convince the client that new ideas/execution will work on branding and sells their product better? I'd think it's worth for us to think how to make us to grow better? faster? or how? and what?


Shiroganeya
This sites, will show you, ZEN. The fusion of good transition, cleverly used sound effects and awesome compositions. Now, it's not about how well you throw you graphics to move vertically or horizontally anymore, look and see for yourself to believe. The elements are so well blend that you'll really feel that you are sucked inside into the environment itself, it has been a while since I seen any site with that kind of ambience. Developed by 7779, it's really worth for you to look into this designer's transformation from his old work to the recent work, it's just utterly amazing, and you can explain it with words. And yes, his photography work, see to believe. One word, speechless.


McDonald's Videogame
Have you ever wonder you can stand on Ronald McDonald's big red shoe and manage the ever big corporation on your hand? This site, is not related to the company as well, more like a tribute to it, and I'd salute to the effort placed in making this site/game workable and, of course, addictive. Seeing it as a game is not enough, because of the depth and thought placed inside, you'll really see the value beyond entertainment, and it really benefits young kids to learn how they see McDonald from the other way round, how the meat are produced, the bread and so on. Come, introduce it to your friend and start selling burgers! Credits : Linkshard


AbsolutKravitz
Seeing how the brand, Absolut, evolved from just a beverage to an icon, is really revolutionary, featuring Lenny Kravitz, this collaboration creates a track composed by Kravitz himself, with a few remixes, you'll be able to see how Flash Videos (FLV) can be cleverly manipulated inside Flash to create a higher level of experience to convince and make the entire surfing experience more richer. Transitions that are connecting different artists, and as well, to keep things in place, instead of asking the user to wait for the loading on the next section, this site cleverly place the loading on the lower priority on the lower right side so that the user still can navigate and continue to explore on the other section.


The Fan
Imagine having a satellite tv channel on your mouse click, it's a allrounded website providing you all tv stations with a few mousewheel-ing on your finger. The idea's cool, but how far it can go, as far user experience is concerned. A cool idea to reorganize the data together in a circular roulette format. Very XML-driven site.


Sesam Katapult
Let's talk about some wicked game, and this foreign site, though with language as the barrier and I have no idea on what the games means, but it does somehow reminds me of the old 'Rocket Knight Adventure' from Genesis/Megadrive back in the console day. And of course, this game is addictive as usual, you get a good angle, and *poof* off you go up the sky, and you get higher by jumping on those purplish-pinkish clouds. Created by the dudes from Agens. Credits : Linkshard


The Streaking Game
A great way to create revenue, but to have a great balance in both fun and commercialism. You are a character, running and flashing at different venue, creating 'Eyes' for people to look at you. Avoid getting caught and reach the destination to get your score recorded. Might sound retarded at first, but soon you'll get hooked on the entire site, sound effect and music is great. Thumbs up.

Reading A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

TriWorks
Talk about awesome realistic 3D Design and with latest integration of the Flash player's capability, this site brings you depth in Flash site design. Although at many view that the 'Blur' effect might be underlooked or overused in the wrong way, it can really serve a lot of purpose in bringing the navigation message clearer. What's so unique? Look at the scalability of the site for different screen resolution, it's being properly utilized, and as well the motion of the navigation, the feedback that it gave to the user whenever you roll the mouse on any of the buttons. Lot's of little detail, but big impact. And you know what's going on

Flash Player for PSP
Good news and rejoice! Here's a portion of the article...
"...supports Flash 7 action script. Not everything mind you but a good portion of it..."
It's much more than you can celebrate :). For those who have no idea about what's going on that link, there has been a big debate and competition in hacking their PSP to run Flash inside of it. Homebrewed program of course.

http://bcdef.org/
A good resource centre to start with experimental Flash works. Remember all of the previous posts regarding application made with the integration with Flickr API? An interesting developmend you can follow for Flappr on this site.

Metah's Flash & Web Technology Blog
Another good resources centre to look into the technical aspect of Flash. You might even find neat tips on indexing your Flash site on major search engines. Might not sound too practical at times, but it's worth trying. And of course, besides looking at various Flash-tech related news, you'll find yourself enlightened by articles related web accesibility issues.


OkaySamurai
Remember the ever interesting storytelling-narrative Flash site?OkayDave.com? I can't stress enough if you haven't visit that site before, do it NOW! It's not only rich in the navigation experience, flow and hierarchy. But look, the content is so nicely blended with the design. Man, I can't seem to not love this site. OkaySamurai are actually a blog created by the designer to keep in touch with his family on his life's updates and works. But what attracts the attention and makes this blog is different is that the Flash header has been beautifully used to gel it's content and concept together. And yes, lots of interactivy to explore inside.


The Elements And Site
The Honda Element's site for the fellows in the States. Not sure if we'll able to see this car being imported to here. An intersting site to start with, which would entertain you for a short 'RPG' game. And this really draws a fine line between a very 'WOW' website and a 'oh...ok' effect type of site. The concept and direction are pretty interesting to start with, but it is really sad to see that the execution and outcome could have been better, and it might the deadline or other causes that stops them from doing better. It's really cool though. Try it. Nice. Of course, at certain time, you'll see that you never get the joke they trying to potray.


Mouse's Mouse?!
It's a bit off topic, but blame me for my reading sensation habit, i bound to found this courtesy of my friend reading it off some tech site. And passed me on this. I'd really wonder if we really could be productive with this. Who knows.

Money vs. Deadline vs. Pride vs. Dupe?

There has been a massive uproar on a recent incident happened regarding duplicate of concept found on both of the site in between a famous site developed by Mr.Yugo Nakamura and his team and a local site developed by a local Malaysia company.


The Original Site
Of course this debate much has pretty much done a lot damage to the company and the local design industry justifying how us as sneaky Flash thief. It's really sad. But of course, instead of seeing everyone and being one that is bitchin' about What and How's bad the thing is, why not take up the courage and learn from the mistake?

I'm really tired to see the ugly side of the commercial world. Which a lot of the competitor of the company took up this advantage to bring down and defame the company. Sad case, it shows so much how Malaysian design company would do to survive and keep themself at the top.

But look, as a responsible designer at the first place, if it's all about money you're doing inside this industry, and I can gladly say, please get the hell your arse out of this industry and work in the pirated CD printing service, or sell Keow Teow goreng, yes please. At a point, we're looking at how we can 'make people happy with our work'. But if it's all 'only' about chasing deadline and finish the project because the sake of client ask us to finish it without them knowing why they ask you do the project at all. Worry not, soon, this country, beloved Malaysia, will R.I.P. and left no more responsible good designer, but all, just lame machine that copies work from other, and like photostate machine? It's not all about money, really.

I see a dying passion, why not we all work towards and fix it? Instead of only bitchin' about it? Why? It's okay we are weak, but the worst part would be we don't want to acknowledge that we are weak and improve from it.

Play a part, be yourself, be responsible. Learn from how other great one striving to build a better design community in this very 'corrupted' industry. I support THINK, DOXOB, Digital Malaya.

Timeline power

SAAB AeroX
Site navigation powered by a main timeline, this site's ambience is just awesome, captured the essense of how this car want to potray, mysteriously powerful, and to feature a car this way, an all 360 round view of the car can impress your client on how they can sell the features to the consumer. What I can really say is, be daring, and you might never know, that if you convince your client that this kind of idea will sell, just make sure that it will sell even more! Reminds me of the revolutionary Eminem's website navigation that won them various awards.