When accepting a website design project or starting your own, you always want to create something unusual, beautiful, and, of course, convenient. The solution is to seek inspiration and interesting ideas in the work of other web designers whose creations challenge conventional norms. These might be original layouts, refined use of video, or subtle design nuances that look beautiful and unusual on the surface but, in fact, serve familiar and functional purposes.
We're talking about websites that represent something typical and standard — but in a unique way. Yes, that exists. These solutions are memorable, and borrowing them doesn’t imply that the web designer lacks taste or imagination. Quite the opposite — they show the curiosity and willingness of the designer to explore everything new happening in the web design world.
So, what design standards have web designers reimagined — and how did they transform them?
Open Faces
Some webmasters believe that when someone visits a company’s site, they should see the real people behind it — the ones they’ll actually work with. In general, this approach is used, but only occasionally and with variations. For example, instead of real photos — stock images or small avatar-sized pictures. Usually, we don’t see the people behind the real products, apps, and companies. The Opendoor project thinks differently.
Scroll down the website and you’ll find a section titled "We've got your back" where they introduce the real people working at the company. For instance, they feature a large photo of one of their team members.
The section has very little text — but the photo is big. A small avatar (around 300x300 px) wouldn’t look as impactful. And yes, Mark has a very welcoming face, not arrogant, not pensive, not overly happy — just friendly . That’s not a small detail — it’s a completely different emotional approach to users. It builds trust.
Cinemagraphs
Cinemagraphs are photographs with slight, looping animations. For example, a static image of a girl with animated hair. The animation repeats. While full-screen videos on homepages are trendy, “living” photos are not yet widespread (but they’re gradually taking over), and replacing them with small cinemagraph files can be a brilliant idea.
Users love them — which leads to stronger branding and better website conversions. Visitors feel intrigued by the motion and wonder: "Will something else happen?" Even if it doesn’t, the elegance and refinement of the animation itself is impressive. Often, it’s something you don’t expect to move — like shoes, feathers on a headpiece, or a drink in a glass.
The Glendevon Motors project used a cinemagraph instead of a looping video. Similarly, check out Monochrome Paris . And Cinemagraphs offers a huge library of ready-to-use living photos — it’s well-known in the web design world.
The Carousel
Many websites use homepage sliders or horizontal menus with links to only the most important sections. But the Harvard Graduate School of Design reimagined this standard. Their web designers created a small vertical carousel linked to the navigation menu.
The carousel only appears on the homepage and features selected content from the site. The navigation itself is minimal, clean, and located on the left (but it could be elsewhere). It’s a rare and unique approach you won’t find often on the web.
What’s special about the carousel? The images overlap slightly, so users can still recognize what’s shown. And each image is linked to a corresponding menu item on the right. So when you click a link, you see the matching picture. The simplicity and usability of this idea are truly unique — and the overall design looks fantastic.
Interactive Map
Adding a map at the bottom of a page to show a company’s location is common — especially for a landing page . But the Ted Todd project took a more creative route. They placed a full map of Florida and marked their branch offices with interactive points. And here’s why this is impressive.
Usually, maps on websites are static or simply display a single point — the company's location. Here, the map is large, full-width, clean, with interactive clickable dots. When you hover over them, a brief popup appears. It’s elegant, functional, and unusual.
Hover Effects
Almost every website uses hover effects on buttons or cards. But web designers from Co3.lt used this pattern in a new way. Their entire homepage consists of logo tiles representing companies they work with. When you hover over each one, the effect isn’t just decorative — it instantly reveals more information about the project or client.
With such minimal design, it could feel monotonous — but the clever hover interactions turn each tile into a mini-story. The user doesn’t need to click. A gentle move of the mouse opens up a new visual layer, making browsing smooth and fun.
Navigation through a Circle
Navigation menus have long been standardized. Whether vertical, horizontal, or hamburger-style — we’re used to seeing rectangles with links. But the Mathew Lucas project breaks that pattern. His site uses a radial circular navigation with floating links.
Why does it work? The content of the site is creative and conceptual. This solution fits the visual mood, while still being functional. When hovered, the circular elements expand with clear labels. A mobile-friendly version also exists, maintaining the idea but simplifying it for small screens.
Text Overlap & Typography Focus
Large-scale typography as a design element is increasingly common. But the Kent Crosby site takes it further by overlapping large text and menu links with video. This adds depth and movement while preserving clarity.
The text itself is a part of the interface, guiding the user visually. Its contrast with background motion creates a dynamic but readable layout. This tactic is powerful when you want to keep the design minimalist but rich.
Split-Screen With a Twist
Split-screen layouts are trendy: two vertical panels, each with a distinct function or visual. Usually, they are static. But R2D2 Rigo took it to another level. Their split screen is interactive — hover one side, and the other responds, creating a playful feel.
This solution isn’t just beautiful. It engages the user and encourages curiosity. It’s ideal for creative portfolios or digital agencies.
Conclusion
These examples show how traditional web design patterns — carousels, maps, hover effects, menus — can be rethought. The key is not to abandon conventions but to reinvent them so they remain intuitive yet exciting.
If you’re a designer or developer — don’t copy, but explore. Understand what works and why. Then use it to create something that reflects your style and speaks directly to the user.
If you’re a client — be open to bold ideas. A good design is not always the most familiar. Sometimes, the most effective solution is the one that surprises.