Parallax scrolling sites

Parallax scrolling is a graphic technique, when background and foreground images move with different speeds creating a depth effect. It was widely used in early pseudo-3D video games, improving the gameplay with illusion of volume and dynamism. But let’s get back from the dawn of computer graphic to more recent times.

Parallax scrolling design became extremely popular in web after Nike launched this technique on their website “Nike Better World” back in 2011. And it’s not surprising, because parallax scrolling effect creates a pretty volumetric effect making website more animate. As always, we should remember about the principle of golden middle. Once parallax scrolling is overused – website starts looking silly, and not beautiful at all. Keeping that in mind skillful web designer can greatly improve a website with parallax scrolling, so users would be delighted with a balance of attractive original look and high level UX.
The great advantage of parallax scrolling is that this trend usually seamlessly connects with other fancy techniques. For example, parallax scrolling and one-page design became almost indissoluble in designing websites. However, it doesn’t mean that the parallax scrolling is constrained with one-page design, but just demonstrated high level of flexibility to use it with different styles. To confirm it I want to represent the best parallax scrolling designs. Scroll to down to see them.

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Dancing with Fruits

The website was awarded numerous times for its outstanding design. And for a reason: I would call this website a web art masterpiece. And parallax scrolling technique takes an important place in this composition, aimed to promote a healthy way of life.

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Andrew McCarthy

Animation is immortal. The running cat in this design surely proves that thesis.

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Pi’s Epic Journey

This website presents a story of making the film “Life of Pi”. You will find out all the secrets and hard work the creators have done to provide us with such a cinematographic masterpiece.

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Numéro10

This French website will put you into the world of grotesque graphics, which is creatively parallaxing once you’ve scrolled.

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Peugeot HYbrid4

This is a very conceptual thing. Actually, this parallax website represents a graphic novel, with a certain plot, with impressively drawn picture, even with sound effects. All of this will put you in the adventure atmosphere to advertise Peugeot Hybrid 4.

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Tag Reaction

This example drops a user into the minimalist atmosphere of chemical engineering. The design is pretty clean, which is the main feature of this website.

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Cyclemon

Would you like to choose a bike? This website will share with you all types you can see on the streets. A bit of humor is attached.

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Every Last Drop

An interesting and informative story is waiting for you on this website. The theme is close to every human being – it’s about water. Vector graphic and parallax scrolling have made the story extremely pretty to perceive.

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Michelberger Booze

Do you like alcohol? Well, you can be hardcore straight edge guy, however you can’t deny this website is totally beautiful, using parallax scrolling as a catalyst.

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Boy-Coy

I can’t outline some outstanding feature of this design, so I’ll just say: it’s good parallax scrolling design.

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iStrategyLabs

Open space, 8-bit elements, flying saucers, astronaut – all of these are included in this creative parallax scrolling website.

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Flash vs HTML

Flash or HTML? Of course, HTML. However, this website is worth existing due to beautiful design, improved with animations.

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Steven and the Unique Horn

If you like ironic stories you’ll definitely like a poem about Steven and Unicorn. The parallax scrolling serves as a mechanism for changing illustrations in the plot.

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NASA: Prospect

NASA glads us with attractive parallax scrolling design, which depicts an exciting trip of an astronaut through the space depth.

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Ophir – The Town That Came In From The Cold

Here parallax scrolling helps you watch the whole city from the aerial view. The concept is quite original.

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Savages

This is a cover story for female band Savages. The most interesting elements here are freezing video shots that create atmosphere of presence.

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The Rise and Rise of David Bowie

Don’t you like David Bowie? It’s up to you. However his career, especially the evolution of his stage images, is extraordinary. This website presents it in a quite attractive manner, using parallax scrolling.

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13 Reasons Why Your Brain Craves Infographics

It’s an usual infographic, which is nevertheless unusually represented in the form of parallax scrolling website. The style is nicely designed with vector graphics.

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As you can see, the listed designs are really diverse. Sometimes they are based on parallax design as their main element, in other examples the parallax technique serves just as a fancy flavor. Anyway, I believe you won’t refuse that parallax design is still in use by having a great feature of adaptability to new trends. If you disagree – you are welcome to express your arguments in the comments below.