30+ websites that prove parallax isn’t dead

Paddi Macdonnell.
July 17, 2015
30+ websites that prove parallax isn’t dead.
Parallax scrolling is defined as a site on which the background image scrolls faster than the foreground, creating the impression of depth. That rigid definition is at the root of most of the myths about parallax: it’s not suitable for multiple pages, it’s not suitable for large sites, it’s unusable on mobile, it’s a dated trend, it’s bad for usability, users don’t like it, it’s bad for SEO, I could go on… A better definition would be: Parallax scrolling is a site on which the elements scroll at different speeds creating a dynamic effect. Like anything, parallax scrolling is bad for a website when it’s done badly. But so many sites do parallax well. The parallax trend of a couple of years ago wasn’t really about parallax, it was about flat illustrations, scrolling forever to get to content, single-page sites with linear narratives. Those user experiences have dated, but parallax itself hasn’t because scrolling on the Web is natural. Modern parallax degrades gracefully, lazy loads elements, and contributes positively to user experience. Users need visual feedback for their interactions, and parallax scrolling is the perfect way to feedback on the Web’s most common interaction, scrolling.

Header parallax

One of the most common implementations of parallax scrolling is header parallax. Once your eyes see depth, it’s hard to unsee it, so to create the classic impression of depth, you need only introduce it in the header. Leaving the rest of your content to scroll normally.

Chris Roberts

thisisuncoated

Tim de Graag

timdegraag

Milan Design Week

designdo

Y7K

y7k

Kontor

kontor

Bill Byron Wines

billbyronwines

The Spaces

thespaces

Karen Atherley

karenatherley

Text parallax

Parallax is often used to improve UX, by keeping text content front and center while supporting content like images scroll past the user.

Fletcher Systems

fletchersystems

Industry Art

industryart

Apple

apple

Another Escape

anotherescape

I Like Photo

ilike-photo

Subtle parallax

Like the former riot grrrl whose sole nod to her teenage years is an over-enthusiasm for eyeliner on a Saturday night, parallax scrolling has grown up. Subtle parallax effects applied to a few elements create an elegant browsing experience that charms and engages the user.

Character

charactersf

Nutsandwoods

nutsandwoods

You Gotta Love Frontend

yougottalovefrontend

Hay Rosie

hayrosie

Harewood Estate

harewoodestate

Fixed point parallax

Fixed-point parallax is ideal for keeping the focus on your primary content. This kind of parallax is often achievable with CSS alone and produces efficient and functional sites. It’s an ideal technique for product demos.

Format

format

Fueled

fueled

Simon Foster

simonfosterdesign

Classic parallax

The classic, full on, parallax experience is still being produced. There are dozens of sites using it to great effect. Parallax is far beyond a trend now, it’s a natural effect on the Web, as these sites show.

Pirate

piratetoronto

L’Amour Fou

lamourfou

The Light Phone

thelightphone

Mélanie F

melanie-f

Penxo

penxo

FS Emeric

fsemeric

Rob Krar

robkrar

Velvet Hammer

velvethammer

Beagle

beagle

Callens & Clo

callens-clo

Paddi MacDonnell

Paddi MacDonnell is a designer and entrepreneur from Northern Ireland, follow her on Twitter.

Read Next

LimeWire Developer APIs Herald a New Era of AI Integration

Generative AI is a fascinating technology. Far from the design killer some people feared, it is an empowering and…

20 Best New Websites, March 2024

Welcome to our pick of sites for March. This month’s collection tends towards the simple and clean, which goes to show…

Exciting New Tools for Designers, March 2024

The fast-paced world of design never stops turning, and staying ahead of the curve is essential for creatives. As…

Web Tech Trends to Watch in 2024 and Beyond

It hardly seems possible given the radical transformations we’ve seen over the last few decades, but the web design…

6 Best AI Productivity Apps in 2024

There’s no escaping it: if you want to be successful, you need to be productive. The more you work, the more you…

3 Essential Design Trends, February 2024

From atypical typefaces to neutral colors to unusual user patterns, there are plenty of new website design trends to…

Surviving the Leap from College to Real-World Design

So, you’ve finished college and are ready to showcase your design skills to the world. This is a pivotal moment that…

20 Mind-Bending Illusions That Will Make You Question Reality

Mind-bending videos. Divisive Images. Eye-straining visuals. This list of optical illusions has it all. Join us as we…

15 Best New Fonts, February 2024

Welcome to February’s roundup of the best new fonts for designers. This month’s compilation includes some innovative…

The 10 Best WordPress Quiz Plugins in 2024

Whether it’s boosting your organic search visibility or collecting data for targeted email marketing campaigns, a great…

20 Best New Websites, February 2024

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so this latest collection is a billet-doux celebrating the best of the web this month.

Everything You Need to Know About Image Formats In 2024

Always trying to walk the tightrope between image quality and file size? Looking to branch out from JPGs and PNGs this…