Error 404 Page Love

Give your web design a little bit of TLC

Whilst the majority live in fear of seeing the (typically) dreaded Error 404 page appear, our crew, armed with a lethal dose of anticipation, excitement and intrepidity, live to see Error 404 pages! What the hell are we thinking?!!!

It’s quite simple. As an advocate of “design is in the details”, The Neon Hive are duty bound as web designers and developers to think of the things our clients may not yet their users may well experience. Now, before any of you hardcore web elitists or purists raise uproar we know there is much, much more to good web design than pretty graphics, solid coding and bullet proof hosting like usability, brand marketing and ensuring the client’s business objectives are met (to name but a few!) Assuming all the basic fundamentals of good web design, development and general W3C practice are all in place, all I am saying is… why not give your web design a little bit of TLC?

Mission Defy Perception is in full swing. If it’s taboo, we’re down with it. If Error 404 is the web area typically not discussed in polite society, then we want to challenge that perception.

Injecting an Error 404 page with some design detail, a dollop of humour and a liberal sprinkling of TLC makes a statement. From an agency/web designer/freelancer point of view, there is the satisfaction of knowing that you have covered every eventuality and had some fun in doing so plus you’ll probably earn a few brownie points for thinking beyond the “expected”. From the client’s perspective, they can rest safe in the knowledge that their customers will be able to navigate their way to home turf and heck, if the Error 404 page further reinforces that oh, so crucial brand message, then that in itself is priceless. End users stumbling across Error 404 will no doubt be pleasantly surprised, have a giggle and either feel appeased regardless that “something went wrong” or not feel like a prize nugget for getting lost.

Our aim, like most other web agencies, would be that it is preferable that no user need ever see an Error 404 page. The reality is, however, that the organic nature of the interweb means third party pages can move and links can get broken, or… shock, shock horror, real life human beings make a typo! Rather than be offended when the highly possible eventuality happens… anticipate it, design an Error 404 page.

For curious designers (possibly even clients), featured here are two of our very favourite Error 404 pages, bespoke creations for Neon Monster and Doodlesplatter respectively. Neon Monster is a San Francisco based art and design collective that curates and creates distinctively unique limited edition experiences. Doodlesplatter is a complete dedicated “artkive” of Jon Burgerman’s work, the brainchild of the incredibly talented and wise toy guy, Jeremy Brautman. These guys rule, that is a fact. If you have an inkling toward art, art toys or any form of creativity then let these blogs be your inspiration bibles.

Speak up, speak loud!

Our collective want to hear your views. Tell us your Error 404 love stories, speak wise words or share examples of your own Error 404 pages. Simply drop us a comment in the form below and don’t forget to include any links!

Evidence that obsession is healthy

For all you cynics who do not believe that “obsession IS healthy”, I urge you to mosey on over to A List Apart to read “Design is in the Details”. Possibly the only thing I disagree with is that A List Apart is not only a website for “people who make websites” but for all those with an active penchant for all things web!