How to fit the totality of existence into a web brwser.

Seed asked us to take on the web site that accompanies the science magazine’s end-of-the-year issue: The Universe in ’09. And could we get it done in just a few weeks, to coincide with the World Economic Forum?

How to fit the totality of existence into a web brwser.

Inspire curiosity

Story

A microfiche viewer allows for a magnified look into the pressing issues in science, politics, and design that year.

With constant interaction, visitors can explore the breadth of the Universe in ’09 first hand. Drag and select categories or roll over the spectral navigation to highlight a metaverse of topics and trigger acoustic keys. The image zoom extended the reach for telescopic views of Seed’s spectacular graphics.

A microfiche viewer allows for a magnified look into the pressing issues in science, politics, and design that year.

With constant interaction, visitors can explore the breadth of the Universe in ‘09 first hand. Drag and select categories or roll over the spectral navigation to highlight a metaverse of topics and trigger acoustic keys. The image zoom extended the reach for telescopic views of Seed’s spectacular graphics.

Work

Concept, design, engineering, and sound

Tech

Flash, PHP, Expression Engine, HTML, JavaScript, OpenZoom

Flash, PHP, Expression Engine, HTML, Javascript, OpenZoom

Look a little closer

We didn’t have to invent a whole lot, just look closely at what was already there.

Consider the smallest of matter

Solely produced from the assets of the print issue, the site displays images in the highest possible resolution.

The Flash/HTML front-end was powered by Expression Engine built to integrate with the main magazine site.

Solely produced from the assets of the print issue, the site displays images in the highest possible resolution.

The Flash/HTML front-end was powered by Expression Engine built to integrated with the main magazine site.

We were inspired to utilize an open source project (OpenZoom), and make all code for UI09 freely available as well (our microscopic contribution to technology).

The content management system allowed for easy media import and modules could be dragged to rearrange them.

Leave inertia behind

We were pleasantly surprised to open an issue of GQ Magazine and find the site featured in an HP ad. (You got us. We were tipped off to the ad.)

Then, Communication Arts Magazine featured our site on their homepage, and the tweets started coming in…

We were pleasantly surprised to open an issue of GQ Magazine and find the site featured in an HP ad. (You got us. We were tipped off to the ad.)

Then, Communication Arts Magazine featured our site on their homepage, and the tweets started coming in…

“Ce site est vertigineux: l'univers en 2009”

@Lea_K

“I’d love to see the NYT article skimmer work more like this.”

@iclazie

“FanBloodyTastic.”

@MediaFront

“Have you seen Seed? Bye bye wired. #ui09”

@zendreamer