Flash Gurus (Pt V) Eric Jordan
A United front
A United front
Among the multitude of awards thrown at 2Advanced over the years, be it Webbys, Clio Awards, SXSWs or whatever you care to name, what sets them apart is the celebration of their own portfolio site. As the domain that got the business going, it seems fairly apt that a dedication to relaunching 2Advanced.com has become an anticipated event in the web design world. The making of the current version five (named ‘Attractor’) was featured in issues 125 and 126 of Web Designer after going live in 2006, and uses gorgeously rendered matte paintings produced by Eric Jordan. Previous incarnations included version three, or ‘Expansions’, which was crowned Most Influential Flash Site of the Decade by thefwa.com, pulling in over 200,000 visitor votes. “The reason we do it is simple: we need a cutting-edge solution that showcases the broad range of 2Advanced’s talents”, Jordan revealed in 2006. “Version five communicates the company’s mission to offer its clients innovative interactive solutions that achieve a careful balance between a superior back-end technology and an appealing design style.”
So what does Eric Jordan and the 2Advanced story really represent for the wider Flash community? Well, it really boils down to taking a personal passion and projecting that out onto a bigger commercial playing field. It’s fair to note some advantage in seeing the potential of a technology like Flash before it breaks the mainstream, but thinking beyond merely the confines of bedroom coding is applicable always. Of course, dedication and an unerring love for what you do goes a hell of a long way. “I think I’d stop breathing if I ever lost my copy of Flash.” Now that really is true devotion to the cause, Eric…
“A Flash guru is someone who can help me ‘set her loins on fire’ or maybe get me a ‘quality line of fake watches’. Seriously, though, a person who ignores what everyone else is doing and sets about defining their own vision through the power of Flash and produces results that shock the world is some-one who deserves guru status. In the current climate, I have to tip my hat towards Masayuki Kido (roxik.com). Everything I have seen him create is just on a different planet”
FWA’s Rob Ford on Gurus
(This article originally appeared in Web Designer issue 150, by Mark Billen)
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I would just like to say that 2Advanced is the best. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of other influences in my life, but Eric Jordan and team 2Advanced blow my mind. They really confirm that any thing is possible. I am constantly showing people their site. Unless your old it really gets people exited about Flash. I will always keep an eye on 2Advanced and so should the rest of the world; you never know whats next.
Eric Jordan thank you for the sacrifices you have made to create 2Advanced it really is inspiring.
Dude,
2Advanced site is too damn busy. It distracts from the message. Is there even any message at all?
Too many bells and whistles. It’s worse than a video game!
Kids might like it. The website is like a toy.
Sorry. I’m really disappointed.
I have followed 2Advanced since 2001. 2Advanced, Ultrashock and mostly Shane Mielke has been a huge inspiration for me in design and media on the web over the years. So it is nice to see more recognition for the time it takes to code a site like 2Advances “newer” site.
I always revisit their site once a year hoping to see something new, jaw dropping, and inspiring.
Geez, much?
They do incredible work pushing the envelope in design/Flash. One of the top studios around. Different strokes for different folks.
2 Advanced Studios is awesome! It is easy to navigate, and sleek and interesting all at once!!! WOW!!!
Ok, that’s a good start but i’m going to consider that a tiny bit more. Will let you know what more i’ve found.