The new Webmonkey redesign

May 9, 2001 12:06 PM

The new Webmonkey redesign is slick. Liquid width, CSS positioned boxes (hacked z-index and negative margins to get those overlapping boxes is my guess), easter eggs on the logo, and now a frontdoor split based on skill level. Although this design doesn't lend itself well to their more text heavy subpages, I'd prefer to see a bit more integration than the new on the front and old look inside (the splash of white from every link off the main page is a bit much).
posted by mathowie (32 comments total)

nice
posted by starvingartist at 12:19 PM on May 9, 2001

i think it's the ugliest thing out there... but that could be just me.
posted by o2b at 12:28 PM on May 9, 2001

I agree. They really broke out the ugly stick for the redesign. I used to check it regularly, but I don't know if I can subject my eyes (or my sensibilities) to this ugliness a few times a week.
posted by panopticon at 12:34 PM on May 9, 2001

The redesign looks like a technicolour nightmare from hell. But good content+bad style=personal style sheet override take me away!
posted by Dreama at 12:37 PM on May 9, 2001

i agree. it is ugly. but it IS css friendly. AND it has good content.

those outway the scare bg image i think.

maybe they should have a 'redesign our entrance page' contest?

/me ducks.
posted by jcterminal at 12:50 PM on May 9, 2001

I don't think they could have made the colors much worse. Light blue on green with orange trim.

Ech.
posted by jragon at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2001

Ouch.

Nasty background images! Flashing psychedelic logo. More space reserved for irritating Flash logo.

Err, and the new design does not extend past the front page!
posted by timbooker at 12:54 PM on May 9, 2001

Err, and the new design does not extend past the front page!

Isn't that like the old joke: two older women eating lunch? One says "This food is terrible," the other answers "I know, and such small portions!".

I really dig the overlapping boxes, but the artily-obscured monochrome faces really bug me. I'm using a high-res 21-inch monitor, and they still look like fuzzy blobs.
posted by jpoulos at 1:04 PM on May 9, 2001

I guess I'm okay with the design, but.. well, the fact that it doesn't extend past the front page makes it.. a splash page... and splash pages irritate the living fuck out of me. Though the mouseovers on the letters of the logo are rather amusing, the huge flash animation is rather frustrating.
posted by vandoren at 1:12 PM on May 9, 2001

The background image/pattern? what is that?
sapient has something similar.. and Scient used to have *exactly* that image/pattern that webmonkey is using now. I do not understand it...

Especially for two companies I couldn't tell apart anywho. scient/sapient.


dP
posted by darkpony at 1:13 PM on May 9, 2001

I think it looks good (although I would agree the site should be consistent throughout). Apparently everyone who visits Metafilter is a graphics and webpage designer or critic perhaps. The colors look fine to me, in fact I like them. The trippy style is fine if you ask me. And I really like the logo 'easter egg' thingies.
posted by howa2396 at 1:26 PM on May 9, 2001

I thought from beginning the design gave me a headache, no matter how cutting edge it may be.

Apparently everyone who visits Metafilter is a graphics and webpage designer or critic perhaps.

I'm not a graphic designer or critic, but when you are a major player in the 'how to' of website creation you have to expect this type of discussion. Besides, opinion is what this site is all about. Geez.
posted by justgary at 1:37 PM on May 9, 2001

Hmm.. It's just too bad it doesn't display correctly in IE5 for Mac... It's almost as if a table were set to "110%" -- you always have to scroll to the right no matter how wide your browser window is (well, up to about 1000 pixels since that's all my measly monitor can manage). What's up with these new Giant Square Ads, too? I think I've seen some of those on Sa***... icky.
posted by bcwinters at 1:43 PM on May 9, 2001

Because they've finally realised there's no money in the standard banner ads, so now it's an attempt to turn the whole Web into one long commercial interlude.
posted by timbooker at 1:50 PM on May 9, 2001

My only nit is that Webmonkey Radio is no longer linked. It is only found by searching.
posted by vanderwal at 2:04 PM on May 9, 2001

Nice, very nice. The colours are just what I expect from Webmonkey - maybe I've just got used to them over time but they seem to work together. What doesn't work is that circular interference effect behind the logo. Ditch it, I'd say, although it's probably some hard-working soul's cherished achievement.
posted by MUD at 3:25 PM on May 9, 2001

Webmonkey is still around?
posted by rodii at 4:04 PM on May 9, 2001

Curious that the CSS works only in IE5 win. Viewed it in Konqueror, Opera5 mac & linux. IE5 mac, doesn't work as a matter of fact you don't get the concentric circles except in IE5 win/mac. Haven't run it through JAWS to hear what it has to say but I have a feeling it'll be jibberish. Design wise? Zzzzzzzz. But hey every designer has a butthole, I'm mean opinion.

my two bits worth but watch out I byte.
posted by metagrrl at 4:24 PM on May 9, 2001

I'm browsing with Mac IE 5 right now, and the DHTML works fine. Spinning circles and all. JADP.
posted by macrone at 5:14 PM on May 9, 2001

I think it's pretty nice that they're taking a risk with this design. The webmonkey kids used to all be about risk and challenge and I think this conveys that.

Though, the seizure-inducing rotating whats-it behind the monkey is only fun once. Go ahead... just let it spin for awhile.....
posted by amanda at 5:16 PM on May 9, 2001

I looked at the spiral for awhile. Now I'm awaiting further instruction from my controller.

Maybe I'll play a hand of solitaire while I wait.
posted by dfowler at 8:10 PM on May 9, 2001

I've always loved the content, but the redesign is a little too much for the eyes. I'll still visit on a regular basis though since I have a huge crush on Evany. Hopefully my rods and cones will be able to adjust.
posted by mrBMsandwich at 8:28 PM on May 9, 2001

Yes, that is indeed a painful design, although it is also a clever use of moire patterning. Clever but gruesome.
posted by donkeymon at 9:56 PM on May 9, 2001

Is that giant square ad supposed to intrude into my scrollbars (IE5/Mac)?
posted by gyc at 10:33 PM on May 9, 2001

Personally I think that it sucks really bad.
posted by benricho at 3:38 AM on May 10, 2001

rodii: cheeky
posted by Sudza at 4:55 AM on May 10, 2001

Off of that site: the smallest webserver

fascinating.
posted by samsara at 10:20 AM on May 10, 2001

I said yesterday:

"Curious that the CSS works only in IE5 win. Viewed it in Konqueror, Opera5 mac & linux. IE5 mac, doesn't work as a matter of fact you don't get the concentric circles except in IE5 win/mac."

I must have had too many windows open cuz the .swf's weren't working, no adobe wave, but today it's working just fine. Wow this is really really Zzzzz... oops fell asleep watching moire effect and wave. What was I going to say? Nothing!
posted by metagrrl at 3:21 PM on May 10, 2001

I said yesterday:

"Curious that the CSS works only in IE5 win. Viewed it in Konqueror, Opera5 mac & linux. IE5 mac, doesn't work as a matter of fact you don't get the concentric circles except in IE5 win/mac."

I must have had too many windows open cuz the .swf's weren't working, no adobe wave, but today it's working just fine. Wow this is really really Zzzzz... oops fell asleep watching moire effect and wave. What was I going to say? Nothing!
posted by metagrrl at 3:40 PM on May 10, 2001

Hmm this BBS has a bit of a problem. Sorry about the double post I hit "post" then walked away came back and thought I hadn't posted.
So sorry.
posted by metagrrl at 3:45 PM on May 10, 2001

Great design for, say, a circus, a mobile disco or a skateboard company. Not really content friendly in my eyes though.
posted by wackybrit at 1:24 PM on May 11, 2001

You say the logo's meant to have easter eggs? Not on my copy of Opera 5... plus, the font itself is ugly. And the background is scary.

But I like the overlapping boxes. A pity that's just about the only thing.
posted by eoz at 5:35 PM on May 11, 2001