Whether you are formally trained or self-taught as a web designer, there are rules, concepts and basic parameters for creating a functional and visually appealing website.

But there are always exceptions to the rules. The following examples definitely do not follow the rule book. In fact, it seems that the rule book was torn, pulverized, shredded and tossed on the bonfire.

But do they really represent bad website design, or have the authors intentionally turned their backs on traditionally accepted web design concepts to make a statement?

Are the following examples about thinking outside the box or about throwing away the box altogether? Some of the websites are obviously the work of DYI (do it yourself) individuals.

Some of these website designs will shock your website senses, but they also show what website design looks like when all the rules are broken.

You may laugh, cry or get angry, but there is no argument that these web designers are different, to say the least. As the old adage states, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” But in the following examples, you could turn that phrase on its head and say, “ugly is in the eye of the beholder.”
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http://www.havenworks.com/

This strangely designed website is also strangely mesmerizing. The design concept resembles someone’s scrapbook gone crazy. While it looks like chaos, there is actually logic to navigating havenworks.com. You can almost imagine seeing the glue and tape keeping the articles pasted to the website. The website content is political news and commentary.
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http://www.belladesoto.us/

If there is anything that could describe this site’s design philosophy, it possibly could be “anarchy rules.” The main website page is tremendously huge and scrolls both vertically and horizontally. There is so much content on this website that it may literally take hours to fully load. The website articles are decidedly anti-establishment and the website design goes out of its way to emphasize this philosophy.
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http://www.drivingskills.on.ca/

This website has a strong DIY (do it yourself) look to it. Is it bad design or an attempt to be funny? The logo for the business is tattered and looks like it is supposed to be a tire, but it’s hard to tell. The website advertises defensive driving courses. But does the website design generate confidence and trust for the owner and his business? You make the call.
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http://www.johntitor.com/

Here’s another example of a DIY website. I’ve always liked black backgrounds, so this website automatically gets a point from me. As to its visual appeal, this is open for debate. The content is offbeat and will be interesting to some and a total scam to others. But the design seems to fit the oddness of subject material.

The site’s premise is that a time traveler from the year 2036 visited Earth in 2000. The time traveler, named John Titor, posted his views and observations about the future world he came from. The website chronicles and gathers John Titor’s posts from various websites over the three years he was supposedly here.

Website Statements or Mistakes?
So are these website designs the result of genius or disaster? Some will say these websites are failures in design, while others will argue that design cannot be corralled within the confines and parameters of rules.

This topic is open for comments and discussion. What do you think?

Next time we meet, we’ll have more unconventional website designs to examine.

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