Below is the ongoing list of featured websites from the about.com graphic design blog.
A great way to improve your own design is to see what others are doing. The featured portfolio is ISO50.com, the work of designer Scott Hansen. What impresses me most about his portfolio is the quality of his work from web design to print design to product design. While you're there, check out his photography and music too.
For those of you who haven't seen Dave Werner's portfolio, it's worth a look and a bookmark. Starting with a collage-style home page, and continuing with custom videos hosted by Dave for each featured project, it's an excellent example of showing your personality in a website. Dave also offers up a behind-the-scenes look at the design process, with sketches to go along with the work.
North Kingdom's website is a great example of well-executed flash design. The firm's slick, but not overdone, animation showcases their work effectively. Browse their impressive body of work for clients ranging from Toyota to H&M. Also worth checking out is their collection of illustrations by their favorite digital artists. While I'm on the site, I admit it's always fun to hit refresh a couple times to watch the cool "dropping of the banner" animation...you'll see what I mean when you enter the fullscreen version.
I read about XRS Nowe Media while browsing a recent issue of Computer Arts magazine. They are a design agency based in Poland with a focus on marketing, print advertising and new media. Their website design was a welcome change from many of the portfolio sites out there, with a unique navigation system that lets you "fly" from page to page. You can also zoom out and get a view of the entire site structure from afar. While it's certainly fun, they also don't overdue the flash, keeping the focus on their work and the site content.
Robert Lindstrom of DesignChapel has built himself an impressive portfolio, with work on the "Got Milk?" campaign, Vodafone, and Coca Cola's M5. It's not just a list of high-end clients... the work is slick, fun and innovative. I've been following Designchapel for a long time, always fascinated by his work on the "original site" available off the main page. I'd recommend checking out both sets of projects, and the original site is a great example of a solid portfolio experience.
The Museum of Modern Art's "Design and the Elastic Mind" showcases works and objects created by designers in response to changes in society and culture. The focus is on the relationship between design and science, with over 300 featured projects. The website itself is an amazing work, with related projects tied together through an impressive interface. Browse categories such as "Harvesting the Internet" and "3D Printing" in this unique online experience.
