If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): site design

Obviously I surf the net. A lot. And come across a plethora of wonderfully designed products. But every once in awhile (not often, mind you), the site is as beautiful to look at as the products it's selling and in this case, Hooked On Walls is one of those sites. A company launched in january of this year, Hooked OnWalls is part of the Arte International Collection of fabrics and textiles. The website was designed by the uber talented Group94.

Now, I'm not saying it's beautifully 'designed'. That would imply that the navigation is intuitive, that the menu is clear and that finding what, where and how to purchase is easy. This is not the case here, but rather the images and photography are so compelling that it's a nice a site to sell a photographer's work as it is to showcase these amazing wallpapers. Now, I have contacted them in an attempt to learn who the photographer is but to no avail. If any of my readers know, by all means tell me so I can credit them!

They have four collections, all with edgy names; Jealous Walls, Stolen Diamonds, Hysterical Glamour and Belgian Graffiti.

Each of the collections above has many matching solid colored wallpapers to accompany the patterns, too.

Now take a look at just some of the beautiful photography from the site:
(click on each image to enlarge)

Download some of their lovely wallpapers for your computer, such as the ones shown below, here.

Contact information:

HOOKEDONWALLS
Industriezone‘De Waerde’
Senator A. Jeurissenlaan 1210
B–3520 Zonhoven
Tel. B. +32 11 81 93 10
Fax B. +32 11 81 93 11
sales.export@hookedonwalls.com

The other day, I came across an online manufacturer's site that was beautifully done.

Aster de Villatte is a manufacturer of tabletop and home accents that is carried in high end boutiques all over the world. Although you can't order direct from their site, you can browse their interactive catalog and locate many stores that carry their products.

But that's not the point of this post. The point is how much fun you'll have looking for those stores, and at their objects, because of the unique interactive presentation of their wares.

In their online catalog, not only is each page a new mystery (click around and find info) but each is photographed beautifully and the animation is pretty darn seamless.

When clicking on certain objects, you will see how they are showcased.
Click on the plates above, for example, and you will get this:

Click again, and it becomes this:

even the search page is very cool:

And the way you choose the country to locate a store:

If I show you anymore, it'll give away the fun, so go check it out for yourself by clicking here.

Credit for this compellingly designed site belongs mainly to:
Sophie Delaporte (photographer), William Simon (webmaster) and Ivan Pericoli (art director).