1. In the Future…

An experimental Work in Progress page, suggesting a new direction for rich media websites to take advantage of the new HTML5 web standards.

HTML5 is the next major revision of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the core markup language of the World Wide Web.

HTML5 introduces a number of new elements and attributes that reflect typical usage on modern Web sites. Some of them are semantic replacements for common uses of generic block (<div>) and inline (<span>) elements, for example <nav> (website navigation block) and <footer>. Other elements provide new functionality through a standardized interface, such as the <audio> and <video> elements.

The new flexibility afforded by HTML5 will soon enable us to create space within web pages. Here's how such a page might appear.

2. Big Words

Here is a long scrolling page with large type, using the United States Declaration of Independence as the source. It was tempting to use an even bigger font size, but I thought, ‘Let’s be reasonable.’

The idea is to demonstrate the power of typography to convey a mood — in this case a sense of gravitas — or a point of view, say a political or philosphical perspective.

As an expatriate of the United States, I have certain prerogatives of irony at my disposal. As applied, say to current events, the text is truly shocking.

To remind you how it begins:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Please refer to the Big Words page for the full text, with Wikipedia annotations and links.

3. Nature

Natura dat unicuique quod sibi conveniens est.
Nature gives to each what is appropriate.

— Auctoritates Aristotelis, compilation of medieval propositions drawn from diverse classical and other sources (ed. J. Hamesse, 1974)

Sea and Sky
The English Channel from the Normandy coast, looking north
The English Channel from the Normandy coast, looking north-west
Clouds

Earth
Normandy cliff detail

People
Body
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Sculpture Collection maquette

And things
Candles

If you're thinking about a new or revised website or graphics project, consider how your own favourite images might be used to give your site a truly personal, customised look and feel.

Elements