Hey 1997, Or I Just Designed A Splash Page

It’s 2010.  I just designed a splash page.  A permanent splash page.  For those too young to recall the splash page phenomena, permit me to elaborate. Think a big ‘Enter’ button and phrases like ‘This page is best viewed in Internet Explorer 4.0 at 800x600 resolution’.

That just happened.  Let this be a lesson.

My client asked for a splash page.  I’m pretty sure he reads this blog.  Thankfully, I’m not in the clients-are-stupid camp, rather the clients-help-me-make-a-living-so-thank-you-very-much camp, so I have nothing to worry about in posting this.  Where was I?  Oh yeah, my client asked for a splash page. Hello 1997.

I’m sure that most of us would cringe at the mere thought of designing a splash page let alone actually agreeing to do it.  Nevermind the usability issues, and poor SEO, the splash page is beneath us, isn’t it.  I’m willing to bet if any one has done one in the past few years, that site link somehow didn’t make it to your portfolio.  It’s almost embarrassing.

If I’m going to be honest however, this post really isn’t about splash pages.  This post is about serving the client.  I had presented a revision of a design for this client and most of their team was happy, except for a few key players.  They couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but to them something was missing.  Upon further digging it was discovered what the these folks were really looking for was a splash page.  To them, a splash page would really finish the site and give them exactly what they were looking for.

At this point most of you would have probably spewed forth righteous scripture cursing the splash page and those in support of it to eternal damnation.  I simply nodded my head.  ”Yeah, we can do anything you want.”

You ever seen one of those old Honda Civics on the road?  The ones with an aftermarket spoiler rests about 6 feet off the trunk?  Both function and form are surely worthy jest and jeer.  You think the auto body shop who installed that told the kid he was a jackass for even considering such an epic fail move?  Clearly, they didn’t.  My guess is, when that kid got his new (used) Integra, he brought it straight in to get it dropped and get that spoiler on it.  Imagine that, return business from a satisfied customer.

Who are we to tell our clients what they should and should not have?  Better yet, what they should and should not like? They hired us for our talent and our knowledge, and if we’re good enough we can use those skills to give them exactly what they want.

#youbetterbelieveitsgonnabeadamnhotsplashpage