Spotting quality web design

My (current) project is a re-design of LU Online. This morning, one of our programmers sent me this article. Basic, but it never hurts to be reminded of the basics:

How to spot web quality in a design

I know there is one principle I'm struggling with in this re-design, and that's space. I'm just not sure what the best solution is for me.

There is just so much content our client wants to include, and we are currently limiting ourselves to an 800 px wide website. I'm not really on board with that rule, but that's beside the point. I'm just not sure how to arrange all the content I'm given and balance it with a proportionate (and attractive) amount of space ...

Khoda

Khoda from Reza Dolatabadi on Vimeo.

This video is pretty amazing. Reza created over 6,000 individual paintings (oh yeah, it took two years) to create this five minute animated short for his graduation film. If only I had that kind of talent!

typography is art too

I found this website recently when looking for some art for my apartment. Here are a few typographic posters I really enjoy.

I have no idea what this one is actually for, but I liked the colors/layout.

art nouveau

This art nouveau fashion print is from 1914. The colors are gorgeous!

The women in art nouveau prints always have fabulously styled hair. This was an advertisement for JOB cigarettes designed by Alphonse Mucha.

She is so graceful. Look at that pointed toe!