August 2007
Flash is a much maligned and misunderstood technology that really needs an advocate to help it win back a place on the web, albeit a modest place.
It seems everyone's attacking Flash these days. While usability guru Jakob Nielsen has made some really good points against Flash , it's not nearly as black and white as he makes out. Attacking Flash has become a sport, without the sweaty jersey. People attack Flash the way the weight loss movement attacked carbohydrates. Think about it, when the 'anti-carbs' campaign came out, people started to reject ALL carbohydrates, even the good ones. It took an effort to convince people that not all carbohydrates are bad, and some are downright necessary.
A similar problem has happened with Flash. OK, so the Flash intros are bad. That's a given. People really hate them and they're a barrier to much needed content. In fact, most people frantically look for the 'skip intro', while busily trying to skip the site altogether. However, don't tar all Flash animation with the same brush.
Because of the tremendous anti-Flash campaign, it's nearly impossible to convince organisations to use Flash at all, even in moderate doses. The thing is, the technology can complement content and drive people to relevant information. It's not about being flashy with Flash. It's about using it as part of the overall web design to create texture and reinforce messages.
Want some examples where Flash can work?
Take a look at www.bmw.com.au. Its rotating Flash banner highlights its products. It's not over-the-top Flash and really helps complement the brand.
You don't have to be a product-focused site to use Flash. Take a look at the Victorian Government's www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au. It uses Flash to highlight its Features board on the homepage. Its simple, yet effective design draws people into the content.
So, just as a little bit of chocolate cake is OK for someone on a diet, so too is Flash OK in moderation and when relevant. It can help draw people's attention to important information and encourage people to interact more with a website.
An important note
Before taking on Flash, consider your audience. For any website, it always comes down to the people you're communicating with. If your audience can access high bandwidth content and will respond well to Flash then think about using it. If they have limited bandwidth and accessibility is paramount, then consider other options before Flash.