i was recently perusing uniqlo’s us website and was amazed at the extensive and exceptional flash content. flash websites are super interesting and super controversial from a web-development standpoint. basically a regular HTML website (like this one) has all the content embedded in the actual HTML. the styling of the content is done by editing the HTML document or by attaching a cascading style sheet (or CSS - as i have done for this website) that your web browser then interprets and displays for you. a flash website (which is basically any fancy website that moves) is more like a movie than a website. when displaying a flash website, your browser simply loads an swf file (or flash movie file) and displays it, like it would a quicktime movie. the advantage to using flash is first and foremost, the dynamic representation of content through animation that is often achieved, but also a designer knows that no matter whoever is viewing the page - on whatever operating system or with whatever browser - will see the exact same page. HTML pages can load differently depending on user settings of font size, or styles and because of various browser discrepancies. there are advantages to using HTML over flash, however, including unique page searchability and direct linking and updating. one cannot link to a specific part of a flash website within the site because (as you may notice when viewing such sites) the URL or website address doesn’t change. navigating a flash site is like skipping around to different parts of a movie. likewise, updating a flash website involves opening the “movie” and editing a specific section or scene, and can be very time consuming.
normally i’m a fan of creative use of HTML pages. that said, i have been blown away by the use of flash on the uniqlo site of recent. i suggest visiting the site for yourself and exploring, but here are some highlights :
the uniqlo collection fashion show is a dynamic video of a runway show that is also interactive. by rolling your mouse over a model as he / she is walking a number will come up above his / her head, which you can click to take you to more information on the specific look. the model is then singled out and shown walking alone on the plus-sign shaped catwalk. brilliant.
the uniqlo calendar, which can also be downloaded as a screensaver features tilt shifted and sped-up footage of various japanese settings with a beautifully laid out, customizable calendar / weather feature to the right.
uniqlock is a fun and festive clock (also available as a screensaver) that features great color and typography and some quirky choreography. i literally spent an hour looking at this the other day. it’s mesmerizing.
uniqlo introduction is an amazing auto-scrolling flash page that gives a whirlwind overview of the uniqlo product line and principles. you can click on each item or image to give you more information. the amount of data represented is astounding.
tokyo fashion map is a great interactive animation that features people on the street in specific neighborhoods of tokyo passing garments to each other through the magic of video! the map interface is stunning as well.
and finally, uniqlo from tokyo to paris challenges to be the world’s longest website at 28,200 pixels. again the amount of data displayed here is astounding and the representation, dynamism and use of the grid is gorgeous.
according the uniqlo website they will be launching a new online store for their upcoming heattech line. i can’t wait to see what they come up with next.