It’s more than just the name - which, if you ask me, is enough on it’s own. It’s the cunning design, witty content, and unique user experience implemented on the Chicago building’s website, www.thepeshtigo.com that really got me inspired.

Let’s start with the footer (yes, weird place to start – I know). I’m really loving the slanted neon yellow line. It was actually the first thing that drew me in to explore more. That line adds SO much to the overall feel of the site by creating some “un-perfectness” to the collection of straight-edged walls and precisely angled buildings.  Each page would definately be lacking something without it. I’ve noticed that line in other odd places that carry that little extra touch – like the loading bars, photos, and submit buttons.  It’s a very clever execution of a faint theme throughout the pages. 

I like their use of opacity and treatments to the photos throughout the site.  I’ve been noticing the opacity technique being used a lot lately as an interesting way to lay text over a photo. They also do a good job of mixing classic black and white photography with a contemporary style of font choices and neon colors.

I love how once a tab is selected, the dotted lines are drawn ramdomly (but intentionally), around the page.  Granite – it’s done in Flash – but you could create something similar in HTML. 

And last and least: What is up with their logo?  Why would they spend all of this time and money designing this brilliant website and then stick a half (excuse my French) ass logo up at the top?  Hmmm…

Do you believe in love at first site? After stumbling upon Firebelly Design - I do. The creativity in their work is rare and undefined and surprisingly, those two words can also be used to describe their office culture and agency website.

The team is unbelievably talented, socially responsible, and in “it” for the right reasons.  Their Work section is stocked full of great design techniques and unique solutions to both print and web projects.  This discovery gave me a second wind to make it through the work week.  Hopefully it will give you yours as well!

I’ve been searching lately for a good example of clean, fresh design that really perfects the simplicity and complexity of whitespace.  Believe it or not, this is a very hard balance to achieve.  Although I wouldn’t call Healdsburg’s new tourist information site perfect, it does represent this style I’ve fallen in love with lately. I’d like to call it "modern basics".

I know, I know…"modern basics" sounds like a bedding line at K-Mart (in fact, now that I think about it - it very well might be).  But, it really encompasses that look of beautiful typography and crisp open pages.  It combines that feeling of the old school basics with some modern touches.  You have to really take a look at the entire site up close.  This small image doesn’t do it justice. 

Sometimes I get so sick and tired at looking at all of the over-designed, over-colored, and quite frankly,  over-whelming sites that populate the web today.  To come across this website for The American Institute of Architects was extremely refreshing.  It’s an example of the perfect mix between a "cut and paste" style and modern simplicity. I love the hard edges mixed with highlights and reflections.

I also admire how the space seems to appear so open and free of boundries…especially since it represents nothing but structures and walls!

To see for yourself what I’m talking about visit www.favoritearchitecture.org.