Summary:
Once I came to terms with my decision to abandon flash for my redesign I got to thinking; just when is it appropriate to use flash?
Top right graphic design by lara from simplynifty
Flash :: to use or not to use, that is the question
I sit at my computer pondering how to go about redesigning my site. Having just attended the FlashForward 2001 conference in NY, I've got flash on the brain. My exposure to all those amazing flash sites at the flashforward film festival made me want to create something cool in flash too and demonstrate my mastery of the program.
Four hours into my flash site I had a revelation. It sucked. Why was I working in this program when my simple button actions and load movie commands could easily be done in html? I'm not one for purposeless animation or unnecessary elements on the page, but I was headed down that very path.
Once I came to terms with my decision to abandon flash for my redesign I got to thinking; just when is it appropriate to use flash?
Misuse and abuse
Flash has a bad rap in terms of usability. Usability 'expert' Jakob Nielsen has a long list of usability issues that arise when flash is used on the web. Macromedia has made improvements in the program since Nielsen wrote his article that address these issues (see macromedia's development principles of usability). The problem is that not enough developer's are giving usability the priority it deserves.
Misuse of flash, often in the form of annoying intro screens and gratuitous animations, is often a developer's direct response to the request of clients who don't know any better. Clients have their own idea of what they want their company site to look like, modeling it after some cool flash site they found while surfing. I repeatedly hear the request for an animated intro- 'I want it to move, morph into this, have a starwars-esque feel to it'. You can either try and talk the client out of it (cite some of Nielsen's usability issues), or do the flashy splash page and get paid more for this element of the project than any other. Take on the work (we all have to eat), just be sure to include a 'skip intro' button.
What has actually been done versus what can be done with flash
Many sites use flash to deliver the entire experience. One way to avoid usability problems is to use the tool more appropriately. When using flash on a website ask yourself 'is this the most effective solution or can the problem be solved in html?" A more user-friendly alternative is to integrate flash within the html page just like a gif, jpg or any other page element. If done well it will seamlessly be incorporated in the page, often unidentified to the user as flash.
When used appropriately, Flash is an effective way to tell stories, teach, and entertain. It can be used in creative ways, enabling users to view in detail areas on a map, or keep track of basketball scores. It is a tool that extends way beyond intro animations. Flash can be a powerful web development tool with features that include xml support, server-side application support, printing, forms, and dynamic content.
The diversity of flash features makes it a difficult technology to master, especially with the advanced actionscript capabilities offered in flash 5. To effectively use flash requires design and programming skills, two different sides of the brain. Most designers aren't programmers and vice-versa, so the best solution is a collaborative one (if possible).
Thinking about flash beyond the web
Given the recent state of the Internet industry, I was excited during Flashforward to hear about the increasing use of flash beyond the web; the future is TV. Companies in Europe (and a few in the US) are using flash to develop broadcast quality content, animation, commercials, music videos. Flash can currently be seen in TV entertainment media such as Canada's MuchMusic channel. This marks the convergence of media; content that can be distributed through different outlets- the web and TV.
So, now I'm redesigning my site in html, and use elements of flash where it is the appropriate solution. I think what I'll do is use frames, then use flash for the portfolio section but display the movie in a pop-up window, cuz that'll save time.... Or no wait, maybe have it load into the mainframe, but then...