Datasheet

Figure 1-8: Cinnamon Interactive. Fashionable and functional, this beautiful design floors
random surfers while driving prospective clients into their portfolio.
But it’s not just the jaw-dropping aesthetics (or the code behind it) that make Cinnamon a success.
Rather, the goals of the site are beautifully reflected in its design. The cinnamon shaker logo is subtly
mirrored in the photography on the home page, which creates a heightened sense of the company brand.
This attention to the corporate identity is sure to impress not only random Web surfers, but also corpo-
rate clients looking for the same level of brand savvy for their own company.
Furthermore, the bulk of the home page is dedicated to links to the company portfolio. Not only is it the
first link in the site’s primary navigation (after the link back to the “Voorpagina,” or home page), but the
splash graphic on the home page is one big link directly into their body of work. This emphasis on
advertising their portfolio is intended to not only draw interested users into some of their past projects,
but ultimately move over to the “contact” page so that they might ultimately contract with Cinnamon
for their own design initiatives.
Finding Inspiration
Of course, translating these goals into an attractive design isn’t always the most elementary process. Just
like a writer under deadline, it’s easy for designers to get blocked. When presented with a creative brief,
client requirements, and a mountain of documentation detailing your users’ needs, a blank canvas in
Photoshop can seem an almost impassable roadblock. So, how do we get started? How do we go from
requirements to sleek, professional-looking design in nothing flat?
Simple — by seeing how others do it.
22
Chapter 1
03_588338 ch01.qxd 6/22/05 11:18 AM Page 22