There is a pretty constant thumping of the web standards drum. I don’t say this with any negative tone. I believe in the power of web standards.

But web standards don’t stand alone. They compete. There are other powerful forces at play. Two examples are eye candy and creativity. By eye candy I simply mean things that are visually sexy. You know this when you see it. Most people know it when they see it. Creativity is a bit less obvious but it causes a similar tingle in your brain.

Unless you are a complete standards nazi, you know what I am talking about here. Most humans are lured in by eye candy and creativity. These things play to our senses. They look good and they feel good. They are forces.

The question now flows like this. Can you design with standards and still have zing and appeal? Certainly, no doubt about it. However, breaking the rules provides many more possibilities. Also, you have to remember that humans are creative and lazy. That’s a dangerous but explosively wonderful combination. Cutting corners can yield magic.

I’ll once again state that I do not advocate breaking the rules. Stay in bounds if you can. But, I’ll also state that I am generaly pragmatic. That’s why I feel that eye candy and creativity are forces that work against web standards.

For those keeping track, I think that eye candy and creativity often beat up on usability too. I can’t tell you how often I feel like the principle in an unruly highschool. I’m the naysayer. The little black rain cloud. That’s not what I want but that’s the way the game is usually played.

Here’s my big question of the day. What is the best web design you have seen that (1) complies with virtually all web standards and (2) stays extremely usable?

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