Design that inspires!
We track our favorite websites that beam as shining examples of eye-catching engagement. Here are some current faves…
Regeneration
The world’s largest, most complete listing and network of solutions to the climate crisis. And how to do them! A REFRESHING take on the climate crisis, Regeneration puts life at the center of every action and decision — and aims to end the climate crisis in one generation.
Make a punch list of actions. Estimate your carbon impact. Learn about climate solutions and how to get them done. This brilliant website brims with inspiring content and hope! Check out the interactive Solutions!
National Park Foundation
Gracious, where to begin? Dreamy photos, creative color tinting, the wood-ring font — gah! It’s all amazing! Easy-to-use, graphically delicious, perfectly branded… from a visual and usability standpoint — 5 stars! In addition, this foundation upholds our natural, national treasures, so it strikes a deep chord:
“Our national parks are a uniquely American idea, truly supported by all of us. We are inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. We seek the wild and untamed land, the places where history was made, the sites that honor our heroes, and we stand behind what really matters — protecting these sacred places.”
Ecochallenge dot org
First and foremost — brilliant idea! Join hundreds of thousands of people and learn how to modify your everyday actions to be gentler on the earth. This site combines education with action.
Mobile-first design shines through — and the dot motif — which is their tagline (together, we’re connecting the dots) is cleverly carried out. Colors of blue, green, and pops of yellow accompany bite-sized text messages and adorable graphics. Join a challenge platform and make a difference in the world. Bravo!
Tahoe Expedition Academy
www.tahoeexpeditionacademy.org
This isn’t your average school. Far from it, Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) teaches outside the walls of a traditional classroom. Students engage in real-world experiences designed to push their intellectual, social, and personal comfort zones, where the learning really happens.
Ruby Slipper learned about TEA when working with Mick Dodge. He showed us the Mick Dodge at Tahoe Expedition Academy video which perfectly captures his spirit as well as this school. Naturally, we checked the website out and, well dang, it’s impressive. The message is front and center. The color palette simple yet bold. The photos glorious. Strong fonts, excellent photos and video. We all want to go here!
Untuck
We are smitten with this design studio in Philadelphia. Untuck is fueled with passion and driven by purpose. Their work is phenomenal — fresh, engaging, dynamic. They use their powers for good, and are indeed a design studio with a conscience. “We work with ethically-minded organizations and companies that do right by the community and the world.” Bravo, Untuck! So glad you are here on planet Earth!
My Modern Met
This site celebrates creativity and promotes a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity — from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.
The Ocean Cleanup
SO inspiring — all of it! The website, the endeavor, the organization, the young man at the helm. As a teenager, Boyan Slat had an idea of how to rid the oceans of plastic pollution. Now in his mid-20’s, his organization’s inventions are succeeding. In the ocean, large U-shaped vessels with nets collect plastic and ocean “garbage trucks” transport it to land. New river Interceptors catch plastic before it makes its journey to the sea.
The favorite website brilliantly explains all aspects of the systems using graphs, animations, videos, and succinct descriptions. It features large photos which draw visitors in, plus has the perfect color palette — shades of ocean blue.
Related Reading
Ocean health is not only about pulling out trash and stopping more from entering. The ocean is an interconnected ecosystem that includes marine creatures and water health. Here are additional resources we highly recommend:
Visit this robust website next time you’re buying fish at the supermarket or your favorite sushi restaurant.
This site helps you make choices for a healthy ocean. Just type in a fish like “tuna” or “salmon” and learn about the best choices, and ones to avoid.
This tool is created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They acknowledge that seafood provides essential nutrition and livelihoods to over three billion people worldwide. But unsustainable fishing and aquaculture are the greatest immediate threat to the ocean. Our survival depends on the ocean. To protect it, we must improve how we catch and farm fish.
Artifishal is a film about people, rivers, and the fight for the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them. It explores wild salmon’s slide toward extinction.
Between 2014 – 2017, Chasing Coral captured the most severe bleaching event in recorded history. During these years, 75% of corals suffered or died from heat stress brought on by climate change. It is predicted that if nothing changes, by 2034 there will be severe bleaching events every year and by 2050, 90% of reefs could be lost. They also offer some inspiring ways to take action so we can turn the tide.
Overfishing, Conservation, Sustainability, and Farmed Fish
Great article by Coty Perry that explores how governments aren’t doing enough to help — they are actually contributing to overfishing through subsidies that benefit big commercial fishing companies. He shows how technological solutions (such as Fishtek Marine) and the use of territorial use rights in fisheries management (TURF) will have a more positive impact on our oceans.
Every day, we are immersed in the fast-paced world of marketing and web design. Here, we share our insights with you!