WSA Winner
Sunday November 20th, 2005
When I first saw this site, I *so* wanted to award it, but a look under the hood revealed pretty much all divs.
I'm pretty certain the semantics have now been updated (or maybe my standards have just fallen in the interim) but now the code resembles something respectable. But that's all by-the-by. What you really get here is a fine execution of grunge to the nth degree. And where better than on a snowboard site?
The Subtotal team have really created a coherent experience that mightn't be your cup of tea, but should hit the bullseye for the target market.
There's the usual Flash validation errors, and also a strange reluctance to put input tags inside a fieldset. But don't worry guys, I'll award now and let you correct later :P
Reviewed by Cameron Adams
#1
Once again I'm disappointed in the judges here. This is the "Web Standards" awards, this page has 26 errors, fails the WAI and 508 test, and I can't validate the CSS due to all the XHTML errors. Another dismal showing as far as web standards are concerned. Not fair to those of us who go all the way to get XHTML 1.1, CSS, 508 and AAA done properly and see something like this win. Flash embedding is no excuse, there are ways to get around that.
However that said, its a nice design, albeit a predictable design for a snowboarding site but its visually appealing and does make me want to look around more. Only thing I don't like is the grey text at bottom, could be a lighter colour for more contrast against the black bg, but the font and font colour usage is good elsewhere. Nice simple menu, overall design colour scheme and I also like the header image, it sort of tells a story (the jump in progress) and thats cool.
Posted by Garrett :: November 21st, 2005 at 04:17 PM
#2
Any resemblance between this and a site that supports web standards is purely coincidental.
Posted by David Laakso :: November 24th, 2005 at 10:25 PM
#3
I love its look, but it otherwise falls short as a symbol of web standards. I think awarded sites should have all their "issues" under control even before being submitted. Moreover, I feel winning sites have an obligation and responsibility as web standards icons, to KEEP all their "issues" under control as long as their sites are listed here.
Posted by Mike Cherim :: November 25th, 2005 at 12:50 AM
#4
I absolutely love this site. The cool design and concept, user friendly and everything. Really inspirational. I now see that you can do everything with css design and structure for even that complex site.
Yes I realize that there are some mistakes but I'm sure they will fix that. Everything else sure stands out more that a few mistakes.
Posted by Peter :: November 25th, 2005 at 04:00 PM
#5
anybody that thinks they can do better then give us a bell we need a better site for snowboards and we'll part with some money for it. contact me at magic motion
Posted by dr colin campbell :: December 9th, 2005 at 03:45 PM
#6
The design really fits well with the content. Normally I think that any flash objects only is annoying but here they are ok. Fun to see that a non-webdesignstudio get some attention.
Posted by Viktor :: December 12th, 2005 at 05:22 PM
Comments on: Elan Snowboards