Website Of The Week – Saatchi & Saatchi

www.saatchi-saatchi.com

The website for the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi is quite an experience, with constantly moving and animated content, bright colours and a generally innovative although simple approach.

The main focus on the website is its presentation of the entrants for its Award for Innovation and Communication, which, although expressed in a somewhat cheesey, American way, encourages improvements in the area of communication via the submission of ideas. Examples of this year’s entries include a translation pen, which recognises and translates words simply by being passed over the text, and self adjustable spectacles which can be adjusted like a pair of binoculars by changing the pressure of the fluid in the lenses.

What is so fascinating about the presentation is that you literally can sit back and enjoy, as the graphics run smoothly to explain the idea and intention behind each of the competition entries. Even though the graphics aren’t particularly advanced or ambitious, they still grab and hold your attention.

The website also provides access to Saatchi & Saatchi offices and contacts worldwide, which is rather more for practical use than for browsing, but still helpful and informative, and easy to use.

There is a rather futuristic tone to the site, in the sense that the award entries create a climate of possibility and expectation, which could equally be construed as aspirational or hopeful but ultimately these designs may not find their way onto the market.

However you might interpret the site, it is well worth dropping in on and adds a more interesting and creative element to what could be a potentially drab and purposeful website.

Reviewer: Deborah Bonello