I’m not sure if it’s fitting and inevitable, or shocking and embarrassing, but the Design Museum’s website is a temple to Flash wankery, the most appalling example of web design I’ve had any regular contact with. Even the HTML only version sucks.

I do wish they’d sort it out, although sorting it out might involve removing much of the “design” which suffocates the thing. Is function diametrically opposed to form? The stuff they celebrate in the museum - which, in reality - is wonderful - always seems to manage to combine the two perfectly. I wonder what the staff make of their website?

If you want to see what I mean, take a look at their online store (you’ll have to go through the front page as I can’t seem to get a direct link to the shop). I got a mail through today suggesting I visit for Christmas prezzy ideas. I tried, but when I realised browsing their range may take the rest of my day - let alone my lunch hour - I gave up. They’d struggle to make the experience less pleasant.

When it comes to online shops, Amazon got this sussed a while back, and all the rest of us can do is imitate. So, guys, c’mon: we don’t want to gawp at the brilliance of your Flash: we want to buy stuff, and move on. Get the design out my face and get it working for me instead - there are cash prizes if you do.

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