Building an effective website is hard.
You will be tempted to use the tools you don’t need, for the features and fancy looking effects that the end user doesn’t want to see.
I’m a firm believer of form following function, but I was also a fashion designer for more than ten years. So, to me, the key is balance; to a point, you can have embellishments without detriment to functionality or usability. Fancy for fancy, like in fashion, only works for well-established brands.
Something to keep in mind:
Building an effective website is hard.
You will be tempted to use the tools you don’t need, for the features and fancy looking effects that the end user doesn’t want to see.
I’m a firm believer of form following function, but I was also a fashion designer for more than ten years. So, to me, the key is balance; to a point, you can have embellishments without detriment to functionality or usability. Fancy for fancy, like in fashion, only works for well-established brands.
I agree that the key is balance.
When in doubt, do less. Because adding more effects, for the sake of fancy-looking, can only distract and annoy.