Here at Stratus Interactive, we're constantly browsing the endless waves of the web for inspiration, and through our travels, we've come across some gems that we think are worth talking about.
Join us as we discuss some of the sites that have been keeping us up at night in our November spotlight!
DESK
The sky is the limit for the potential the Internet possesses today, as we are constantly barraged with new ways of connecting and communicating with each other.
Enter DESK, a project that’s sole purpose hinders on its desire to showcase the side of creation the consumer rarely gets to see: the work desk. The idea, itself, is simple in both form and function, but there’s no denying the creativity behind the website. Their mantra is “You can learn everything about a person by his [or her] desk,” and their passion is clear from the start.
The site’s main page is made up of a series of profile pictures from real professionals around the world and their desks. Most of these professionals are designers, illustrators, photographers, etc. who give viewers a unique peek into their everyday work life. It’s a shining example of a simple idea juxtaposed against a clean design, which makes DESK stand out from its quirky peers.
Where DESK really wins, however, is in its simplicity. There isn’t anything that really forces you to keep looking. It’s the interest to compare and contrast how everyone else organizes their space that keeps you coming back, making DESK something that’s always interesting to check out. Who knew?
Plus: DESK also uses the pictures you post of your desk as a reference for the graphic that goes with your profile picture from the main interface.
Milwaukee Police News
http://www.milwaukeepolicenews.com/#menu=home-page
When it comes to local police pages, it doesn’t get hotter than Milwaukee’s Police News site, with its edgy, graphic-focused style that’s sure to impress both the frequent visitors and permanent residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
From the get go, Milwaukee P.D.’s site stands out from the usual government profile, with its high resolution backgrounds and scroll-anchored backdrops. A navigation bar on the right breaks the site into five Categories; The Source, The Stats, Most Wanted, Heroes, and About.
The Source: Milwaukee P.D. posts information to the public, deemed unfiltered, from crime stats to behind the scene stories that the news stories failed to tell. They also create their own content to show the involvement of the police department in regards to the community.
The Stats: A slideshow detailing Milwaukee P.D. stats, like how many guns have been confiscated since 2007 or how the murder rate is down 18%. The police are marketing their stats to the community to prove the difference they can make.
Most Wanted: This section of the site is easy to see from the main page, and clear in its purpose: showcasing Milwaukee’s most wanted and giving information on who to contact if you’ve seen one of them, as they are labeled the biggest threats to the community.
Heroes: Perhaps one of our favorite segments of this site is the Heroes tab. This section posts articles about the good the Milwaukee P.D. has done in the community. Any site that deals in such dark topics can benefit from a lighthearted section and Milwaukee Police News showcases their “wins” admirably, as well as their fallen soldiers.
About: Last is the About tab, where the police department’s vision and mission are made clear. It also answers some of the community’s more frequently asked questions like how to pay a parking ticket or acquire an accident report?
The site, overall, is clean and organized, yet also makes a powerful statement with its interactive website design that helps it stay well ahead of the pack. Web designers have some creative ideas in the works, and the future of the site aims to be a colorful affair.
With Art Philadelphia
http://withart.visitphilly.com/
Ever want to know EVERYTHING about the art scene in Philadelphia? With a constantly evolving culture, it’s hard to keep track of it all, but boy does this site make a valiant effort to get the word out.
This makes our list of favorite websites for a multitude of reasons, the first and foremost being functionality. The site is not only quick and interactive, but its layout is simple to navigate and easy on the eyes. The headings at the top of the page are clear and focused, making getting from point A to point B a breeze.
- Museums & Attractions: Gives detailed summaries and information about all of the art attractions, from the more structured ones like The Philadelphia Museum of Art, to the gardens or Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Events & Exhibitions: A list of various upcoming events being held around the city from living art shows and architectural exhibits, to live readings and musical festivals.
- Artworks: A picture gallery worth a peek. This slide show is full of images from the great artists of our history, whether you’re looking for van Gogh, or in need of some meditation with The Thinker.
- Tours: The Tours tab lets you browse some of Philadelphia Arts’ more popular tourist locations, and also features a booking tab so you can book a tour right from their website!
- Interactive Map: One of the site’s most impressive features, the Interactive map lets you peruse the skyline of Philadelphia in search of your own artistic destination. Complete with a virtual layout of the city, this map makes it easy to gain some perspective on the events and locations scattered around town.
If you’re looking for some creative inspiration in Philadelphia, be sure to check out With Art Philadelphia
And of course, we'd be remiss not to mention Stratus' own website, http://www.stratusinteractive.com/, our living, breathing hub. This is where all the magic happens folks!
Happy Thanksgiving to All... eat, drink, and be merry, but be sure to save some room for next week's posts!
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