Out of the main five senses web designers and developers really only use one when it comes to designing for the web. Now I’m not saying web designers don’t use those other four senses, but in our line of work we really only use our sight. You can argue that hearing is used, which is true in some cases but not in all. Taste and smell are simply out of the question right? You can’t possibly know what a website smells or tastes like.
I am attempting to take a look at 10 popular websites and determine what they smell like using a variety of factors such as color scheme, layout, and the overall appeal. It mind sound kind of crazy but its actually rather fun. Ok lets get started
Web Designer Depot
Web Designer Depot is one of the most popular design blogs on the internet so I figured I’d analyze it with the smell test. When you first visit their site you get a splash of red and warm colors. They have clean typography nothing too heavy.
Its Smell
I would say WDD smells like Cherry Pie with a buttery crumb topping.
Six Revisions
Six Revisions is an awesome design blog that focuses on all things web. This was a tough one, I really had to dig deep for this one. It’s got clean typography, simple color scheme, and a fair amount of border usage.
Its Smell
I would say Six Revisions smells like burnt rubber.
Spoon Graphics Blog
Chris Spooner has done an amazing job with his blog which focuses on Illustrator tutorials. To me this one came easy, its got a brown color scheme with lots of graphics.
Its Smell
I would say Spoon Graphics Blog smells like an old used cardboard box after a 17 hour trip in a hot car.
Naldz Graphics
Ronald Bien has an amazing design blog with lots of freebies like textures and wallpapers. The site has great texture and a cool blue color scheme.
Its Smell
I would say Naldz Graphics smells like that patch quilt in that closet in the basement at your grandma’s house.
PSDTuts+
PSDTuts is a super awesome blog that is part of the Envato network that delivers high quality tutorials based on Photoshop. The color scheme has deep earth tones and vibrant reds, clean typography and great icon usage.
Its Smell
I would say PSDTuts smells like Cinnamon Twists from Taco Bell.
Abduzeedo
Abduzeedo is a beautiful blog with silky grays and vibrant pictures and illustrations. They specialize in Graphic design resources and inspiration.
Its Smell
I would say Abduzeedo smells like a charred medium well steak with a side of A1 sauce.
PSD Fan
PSD Fan has got great photoshop resources for any avid photoshoppper. It has a very light color scheme with a little bit of lime green thrown in for contrast.
Its Smell
I would say PSD Fan smells like a Green Apple Jolly Rancher.
Fuel Your Creativity
Fuel Your Creativity has an amazing three column layout with a great color scheme. Great usage of icons and “3D-ish” elements.
Its Smell
I would say Fuel Your Creativity smells like a Strawberry Pop-Tart immediately after popping up out of the toaster.
DesignM.ag
DesignM.ag is a design blog where you can submit articles and news to and provides you with insight on how to become a better designer. It’s got some splattered and grungy textures used throughout the site.
Its Smell
I would say DesignM.ag smells like that stale fruit cake your Aunt gave you in your stocking last Christmas.
Cats Who Code
Cats Who Code is a fantastic Wordpress development blog that gives you great tutorials on how to get the most out of Wordpress. It has a simple layout with illustrations and a blue and gray color scheme.
Its Smell
I would say Cats Who Code smells like the ocean on a cold winter night.
The Smell Challenge
I challenge you to not only browse these great blogs, but to visualize how you think they would smell. If you have any smells please feel free to put it in the comment section.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:27 am
An unusual, but creative article, Shane. I wonder what ThreeStyles smells like? As for my upcoming blog “AddtoDesign – Jizz Worthy Design Buzz” I really don’t want to think about the smell!
February 7th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by threestyles: NEW POST! 10 Popular Design Blogs and How They’d Smell http://bit.ly/d8XLZB Please RT…
February 7th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
This is an interesting idea. Now all day I’m going to be thinking about what websites smell like. Humm I think threestyles would smell like those blue airhead candies or maybe silly putty.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Very unusual blog post, but a great twist on your bog standard ‘display your favourtie blogs’ post.
I follow most of these myself and i found myself nodding when i read what you were saying, lol.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
It’s smell = It is smell
Its smell = probably what you want it to say
February 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
A highly unusual but quite interesting article! You really thought outside the box with this one!
It’s interesting to think about how our senses are linked and how we associate certain colours with certain smells and tastes.
Codesquid´s last blog ..Usable and accessible web design for the iPad
February 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I truly enjoyed this post!! Beautiful!
Mmmmm I think Three Styles smells like an ocean breeze.. Keep the good posts comin!
February 8th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Delightful nonsense.
tags for html6!
February 8th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
This is why we shouldn’t let web designers use drugs.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
what deviantart smells like?
February 8th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Three Styles smells like….apple pie.
Tony´s last blog ..8 iPhone Applications That Help You Blog
February 8th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
This is the best idea i ever gave away.
3styles smells like the water out a neoprene water jug on a hot summer day
February 8th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Great idea for a great post and a writer with a great sense of smell. Interesting!
Walter Apai – Webdesigner Depot´s last blog ..A Collection of Free iPad Icons, Tutorials and PSDs
February 8th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Idsgn to me smells like those fries from that blue-collar diner across the street from the closed up auto factory.
Odd, but certainly nice article.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
lol @ “This is why we shouldn’t let web designers use drugs.”
You’ve really started something here.
My website smells like a freshly peeled orange, right?
February 9th, 2010 at 12:01 am
This is really odd, but interesting concept. I wonder if it will be a future addition to websites because that would be cool.
Right now, my website is a dark layout, so I would say burnt cookies. Nonetheless, I am redesigning it completely different, so with a very light and colorful layout I would say it smells like a cupcake (:
February 9th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Jen, your website smells like the inside of an old, 60’s hippy van.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Interesting take on the whole thing. Curious now what my blog smells like.
Thanks for sharing!
Preston´s last blog ..Avoid design burn-out by limiting client revisions
February 9th, 2010 at 8:59 am
LOL, nice article, very amusing. My site smells like a cave filled with gold. Can’t go wrong with that!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
haha great article mate, really enjoyed it
btw I think 3styles would smell like Wrigleys Extra (Minty Chewing Gum!)
McBonio´s last blog ..A Few More Wordpress Security Plugins
February 9th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
@daniel richard XD Exactly.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:42 am
I’d say your article uses mostly color to get the point across. Given the different layouts in neutral greys, how would the design (typography, etc) smell? Your assessment of the quilt in Grandma’s attic is the only one I think would not change!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:38 am
this are the best, good article, nice works
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February 15th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@Walter
Thanks for the complements and the feature Walter!
@Mcbonio
Haha I could see Three Styles being like minty gum! Good call.
February 15th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@Mathew Carpenter “Jen, your website smells like the inside of an old, 60’s hippy van.” lol… oh yeah? How so?
February 15th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
This is such a creative idea. With so many posts I just normally skim through and will miss 90% of the content, I actually stopped to look at each site and read your smell thought. SUPER brilliant. You are so creative. I loved it.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Very interesting and funny too. I don’t know how you came up with this idea but it’s creative indeed.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
@Mat Haha I can see that… VW Van!
@Kyle and @E11
Thanks for the complements. I’m so glad you guys enjoyed the post. Stay tuned for some awesome material.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I think three styles would smell like Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber.
http://bit.ly/cy4qL4
February 16th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Haha Awesome!!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:17 am
lol. it’s very interesting post. it’s my 1st reading at threestyles and I can guarantee to you I had loads of fun with this post. I can’t say what three styles smells like, I think it’s smelling good throught.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:26 am
great post, thanks
February 18th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Great post.
I could really relate to some of the smells.
Ben´s last blog ..10 Must Have iPhone Apps for Bloggers
February 19th, 2010 at 9:51 am
[...] 10 Popular Design Blogs and How They’d Smell [...]
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Unusual post, you must be very inspired to smell the websites
March 1st, 2010 at 4:35 am
[...] 8. 10 Popular Design Blogs and How They’d Smell [...]
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Your Blog smells like fresh water from the comode … haha . jus kiddin lovely ..
Funny + knowledge = This Post .. Love the new concept
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