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Is the Parallax Site Dead?
Parallax scrolling is a technique in computer graphics and web design, where background images move by the camera slower than foreground images, creating an illusion of depth in a 2D scene and adding to the immersion. Interactive design companies began incorporating parallax scrolling around 2011, using HTML5 and CSS3. While some people may be on the endless scrolling bandwagon, others are bored and ready to get off.
With everything, there is a right way and a wrong way of approaching things. If your website has over 6 pages and tons of useful information to get across to the user, parallax scrolling is not the best solution. There are many pros and cons that can be argued, though the list of cons can be quite lengthy.
First of all, everyone knows that it’s terrible for SEO, it’s a nightmare on mobile and not suitable for text heavy or ecommerce sites. Yet, captivating imagery and beautiful, tasteful typography merged together seamlessly can create the most memorable and mesmerizing site. Advocates argue it is a simple way to embrace the fluidity of the Web. Proponents use parallax backgrounds as a tool to better engage users and improve the overall experience that a website provides. However, a Purdue University study published in 2013, revealed the following findings:
“Although parallax scrolling enhanced certain aspects of the user experience, it did not necessarily improve the overall user experience.”
Here are some reasons to use a parallax scrolling site:
– Introduce a Product or Cause
– Highlight Your Portfolio or Mission
– Tell a Story
So is the parallax site a burnt out trend or are we just starting to see the beginning of something evolving into what might turn into something entirely unique? At Oblique the interactive design team agreed that we are just on the cusp of the parallax evolution. There is a time to incorporate parallax scrolling and a time to avoid it all together. If your company is seeking to visually tell a story or present a marketing campaign, parallax scrolling can be your best friend and best solution. Some of the most memorable sites we have come across happen to consist of mainly parallax scrolling sites. Here are a few amazing sites that do it right: