A Gallery Driving Mobile-First Web Design

loadmo.re is a gallery of distinctive smartphone websites designed to promote mobile-first thinking. It addresses the gap between today’s phone-centric usage and designers’ desktop-centric workflows. By curating strong mobile examples, it aims to inspire better use of mobile affordances and foster industry conversation.

Key Points

Most digital interactions have shifted from desktop to smartphones, yet design practice remains desktop-oriented.
Designers often research and reference desktop sites, reinforcing outdated assumptions and workflows.
loadmo.re curates notable smartphone websites as a source of inspiration and reference.
The goal is to encourage designers to fully exploit the phone’s unique interface and functionalities.
The platform aims to catalyze conversation and cultural change around mobile-first design.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment is mixed, leaning towards positive for the *concept* of inspiring unconventional mobile-first design, but strongly critical of the *execution* regarding usability, accessibility, and practical application, both for the `loadmo.re` site itself and many of the showcased examples. There's a clear appreciation for creativity but a strong reservation when it compromises fundamental web functionality.

In Agreement

The platform provides valuable inspiration for designers seeking to push web design boundaries beyond conventional templates, fostering a more creative and 'groovy' internet experience.
The showcased 'experiments' offer novel approaches and ideas for those looking to innovate, with specific examples like 'slingshot.trudy.computer' and 'gizmo.party' being highlighted as 'neat' or 'fun'.
The mobile-first focus is acknowledged, with positive remarks about the use of iPhone screen recordings for previews, aligning with the article's premise.
There is a general appreciation for efforts to collect and share unconventional web designs, fulfilling a desire for more diverse inspiration beyond standard corporate websites.

Opposed

Many of the showcased unconventional designs severely compromise fundamental usability, accessibility, and clear information retrieval, making them frustrating or difficult to understand, reminiscent of issues with early Flash-era websites.
The `loadmo.re` platform itself suffers from poor user experience, including unconventional link handling (turning links into 'Copy Link | Visit website' options) and an infinite scroll that prevents users from reaching or interacting with important footer elements like submission forms or newsletter sign-ups.
While aesthetically interesting, these designs are often impractical for websites that need to convey specific information, include clear calls to action, or be easily readable for a broad audience.
Some sites rely on specific device capabilities (e.g., a webcam), making them confusing or non-functional for users without those features, contradicting broader accessibility goals.