Parallax scrolling was first talked about in 2011, and it immediately became widespread and popular among web designers. Web design trends have come and gone, changed and evolved, but parallax has always been a sought-after effect.
With the advent and widespread use of HTML and CSS, it has become much easier to create more interesting and memorable elements for the design of Internet pages, including landing pages.
When building a website, parallax is a great way to add depth and dynamics to a site. Today’s post will talk about parallax scrolling and show examples of beautiful websites using this effect.
What is the parallax effect?
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Parallax is a visual effect in which the background moves slower than the foreground object. Thus, the impression of volume and depth is created, the site is animated, and the user gets a more immersive experience when working with it.
To get the parallax effect, you need three components:
- A background or object in the background that moves more slowly;
- An element in the foreground that moves faster; an object that moves faster;
- An action that triggers a movement is scrolling or moving the cursor.
Parallax Examples
01. Mild design
Emilie de Grosbois is a Montreal-based artist and founder of Mild Design. Her portfolio site strikes the eye with an impressive technique: she uses a series of complex full-screen images that follow each other like an unfolding scroll. Through parallax, the transition from one image to another becomes smoother, a logical connection is created between them, and a complete visual story is obtained.
02. Nolan Omura
Nolan Omura is a Hawaii-based photographer and videographer specializing in underwater photography. Look at how he used parallax – the right overlay of elements on top of each other gives the impression that the photos are alive. It certainly adds interest to his amazing work.
Nolan divided the site into broad strips and used each to showcase his pictures and videos. It smoothly replaces each other, as if waves are rolling on the shore.
03. Chris Covert
Aerospace engineer and designer Chris Covert has created a bold and eye-catching portfolio website. The design and interactivity of the site allow you to show personality, skills, and work experience in a new way – creative, innovative, and bright. What could have been just a dry list of enums has become an example of a modern CV.
Chris posted a snapshot of his printed resume as a massive element on its own in the center of the screen. When scrolling, the user opens it step by step, which creates a stunning visual effect.
Everything on this site is thought out to the smallest detail, which again proves its creator’s professionalism and talent. In addition, visitors and potential employers can download a PDF version of the resume.
04. Ivy Chen
Designer and illustrator Ivy Chen created a unique portfolio site using the parallax effect – an illustration turns into an image and vice versa. It turns out to be magic, and the visitor is immediately involved in the site as in a game: what will open next?
05 Industrial Jewelry
Jewelry designer Hila Carney created an interesting effect using parallax – while the side images change each other when scrolling, the central one remains in place. Only at the very end does it leave to make room for the text, and the user immediately concentrates on what is written. This is exactly how the user is completely immersed in the site.
06. Barco Sorriso
The site’s vibrant illustrations and overall palette create a fun and welcoming vibe for this non-profit site. The blue part – the ocean – gradually changes to the forest and resembles cartoons or video games.
07. Karlie Kloss
This sleek and minimalist website is the perfect portfolio for supermodel Karlie Kloss. The website’s color scheme consists of calm and clean colors such as white, gray, and black, while a large amount of negative space creates a feeling of air and lightness.
08. Hana Knizova
London-based photographer Hana created a website that presented her work as a strip of interchangeable images using the parallax effect. At the same time, the images act as a website menu, creating a unique navigation system where each image leads to a separate internal page.
The photos on the main page introduce Hana’s various projects. They show how the photographer works – from reportage shooting to photoshoots for future parents.
09. Protea
Creating a website for a restaurant is a complex process, if only for this reason. The layout and content should be as attractive as possible because the smell and taste cannot be conveyed through the screen. The owners of Protea restaurant did a great job – their site is based on a block template that allows you to show as many images as possible of the dishes, the interior of the restaurant, and the surrounding Napa Valley.
10 Frankie Ratford
A bright, lively, and playful site for a graphic designer who travels and works remotely from all over the world.