Inspirational ideas in web design come so fast that it is very easy to miss them. So we should be careful and always remember that the trick is often in the execution. Anything can be beautiful.
We collected some samples of extraordinary approaches that will widen your view at web design.
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Clever Way of the Glasgow International Pages
We’re used to plenty of scrolling these days, but the Glasgow International festival website has found a simple, clever way just keeping pages short.
The Glasgow International homepage lines up its three main sections side by side and allows them to be scrolled through independently of each other.
On mobile, the same three sections form one big column. It’s a savvy solution to the mobile/desktop relationship, and a pretty stylish one as well.
The CSS behind this is suitably simple. The three sections sit inside a flex container, with all three sharing the values of overflow-y: auto; and height: 100vh; so that they always fit the desktop viewport. The really nice touch here is using scrollbar-width: auto; to remove the sidebar. Because the columns take up the whole screen you intuitively work out the way the page works as soon as you move your mouse.
Kenta Toshikura’s Website: Thinking in Three Dimensions
One of the sites of the week on Awwwards was this portfolio website by Japanese frontend developer Kenta Toshikura. It is simply breathtaking.
The landing page’s 3D carousel on Kenta Toshikura’s homepage is so elegantly done that you almost think it possible to fall through the screen and into an alternate CSS dimension.
If in doubt, the tendency is to lean towards flat, modular arrangements, but maybe we should be thinking in three dimensions a little more often. This is a fantastic example of lateral thinking transforming what could easily have been a column of boxes into something truly memorable.
Beautiful Stripe’s Documentation
Documentation is all too often one of the first casualties of the Web’s mile-a-minute pace. It needn’t be. I have no qualms calling Stripe’s documentation beautiful.
The instructions on Stripe.com are accompanied by fully fledged code previews, with different lines highlighted depending on the section you’re reading.
I’m sure most of us have ground through enough bad documentation to appreciate the effort put into this approach. Clear, hierarchical navigation for the content, bite-sized step-by-step-copy, and of course the code snippets. Dynamic previews of code across multiple platforms and languages is above and beyond, but then why shouldn’t it be?
There are few things more valuable — and more elusive — than quality learning resources. Stripe shows there is a world of possibilities online beyond the standard words on a page.
Source: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/
FAQ
How can designers elevate standard web layouts without reinventing everything?
By enhancing familiar layouts with refined details such as spacing, rhythm, contrast, and intentional visual focus, designers can improve impact while keeping usability intact.
What role do user expectations play in extraordinary web design?
Understanding user expectations allows designers to meet familiar patterns first, then exceed expectations through subtle enhancements rather than radical changes.
How does attention to detail influence perceived design quality?
Small details like alignment precision, smooth transitions, and consistent iconography significantly affect how polished and premium a website feels.
Why is restraint important when improving ordinary designs?
Restraint prevents visual overload. Thoughtful design choices ensure enhancements feel purposeful instead of decorative, maintaining clarity and elegance.
How can content presentation make a website feel more engaging?
Strong hierarchy, clear messaging, and intentional storytelling help content feel dynamic and compelling, even within a simple layout.
What mindset should designers adopt when aiming to improve existing designs?
Designers should focus on refinement over novelty — asking how to make experiences clearer, smoother, and more delightful rather than more complex.
