[ { "reference": "Niccolò Miranda — Paper Portfolio", "liveURL": "https://www.niccolomiranda.com/", "archetype": "Newspaper / editorial", "edition": "2021 Paper Portfolio", "status": "five independent positive recognitions verified", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/awwwards_site-of-the-month-november-miranda-activity-6879015671112572928-8OpI", "recognition": "Site of the Month, November 2021", "quoteSummary": "Official Awwwards announcement names Miranda Paper Portfolio as November winner. Direct Awwwards site page timed out; official publisher social announcement opened successfully." }, { "publisher": "CSS Winner", "url": "https://www.csswinner.com/details/miranda-paper-portfolio/15746", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 29 October 2021", "quoteSummary": "Award page names the Paper Portfolio and a 7.8 score." }, { "publisher": "Orpetron", "url": "https://orpetron.com/blog/winner-sites-in-november-2/", "recognition": "Site of the Month winner, November 2021", "quoteSummary": "December 1 2021 winner roundup lists Miranda first among Site of the Month winners." }, { "publisher": "ilovecreatives", "url": "https://ilovecreatives.com/internet-gem-websites/miranda-paper-portfolio", "recognition": "Site of the Week, 1 December 2021", "quoteSummary": "Independent Internet Gems feature praises newspaper concept, typography, paper details, horizontal scroll and vertical tabs." }, { "publisher": "Communication Arts", "url": "https://www.commarts.com/webpicks/niccolo-miranda-1", "recognition": "Webpicks editorial selection", "quoteSummary": "Selected feature on the Paper Portfolio with interview about cinematic newspaper inspirations and scalable editorial layout." } ], "designObservations": [ "Newspaper masthead and very large condensed serif headlines", "Warm paper ground, tight rules and column divisions", "Small factual captions against oversized expressive type", "Art-directed print hierarchy rather than generic card grid", "Original layout principles may be adapted without copying illustrations or text" ] }, { "reference": "Dennis Snellenberg", "liveURL": "https://dennissnellenberg.com/", "archetype": "Quiet editorial / minimalist portfolio", "edition": "2022 portrait and moving-name design, still pictured by 2026 galleries", "status": "five independent positive gallery recognitions verified; these are curated features, not five awards", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Pafolios", "url": "https://pafolios.com/dennis-snellenberg", "recognition": "Portfolio of the Day, 17 May 2023", "quoteSummary": "Dated portfolio feature links directly to Dennis's site." }, { "publisher": "UI UX Showcase", "url": "https://uiuxshowcase.com/portfolio/dennis-snellenberg/", "recognition": "Curated portfolio feature, 4 January 2026", "quoteSummary": "Named curator Prince Pal selects the minimalist interactive portfolio; describes micro-animation and clean parallax design. Its secondary Awwwards claim is not counted separately." }, { "publisher": "Swipefile", "url": "https://swipefile.design/ref/personal-dennis-snellenberg/", "recognition": "Curated design reference, capture 5 September 2026", "quoteSummary": "Praises memorable portrait and moving name, strong first impression, clear Work/About/Contact routes; provides precise design observations." }, { "publisher": "Creative DNA", "url": "https://www.creativedna.com/inspiration", "recognition": "Interstellar Sites curated selection", "quoteSummary": "Design inspiration library links to Dennis and explicitly praises his talent. Independent agency curation, not an award." }, { "publisher": "UX Portfolios Design", "url": "https://www.uxportfolios.design/portfolios/dennis-nellenberg", "recognition": "Editor-added portfolio selection, 2026", "quoteSummary": "Explicitly says editors added the site; praises intentional scroll choreography. Curator note is transparently AI drafted and edited by Aaron Forney. Publisher misspells surname in heading but links to correct domain." } ], "designObservations": [ "Single neutral typographic family, very large light-weight headings", "Edge-to-edge portrait hero and quiet utility navigation", "Open space and thin dividers instead of boxed cards", "Project names displayed in broad editorial rows", "Subtle restrained motion and one blue accent" ] }, { "reference": "Studio Freight", "liveURL": "https://studiofreight.com/", "archetype": "Raw brutalist", "edition": "2023–2024 dark Built on Principle three-column design; not 2026 light redesign", "status": "five independent design publisher/gallery recognitions verified; editorial selections, not five awards", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://assets.awwwards.com/awards/gallery/2023/07/HOT-RIGHT-NOW-BOOK-2023.pdf", "recognition": "Hot Right Now 2023 book inclusion", "quoteSummary": "Book includes Studio Freight and screenshot/text from Built on Principle edition." }, { "publisher": "Craftwork", "url": "https://craftwork.design/curated/website/studio-freight", "recognition": "Curated agency inspiration", "quoteSummary": "Direct page describes dark portfolio, oversized condensed headline and three-column layout; matches 2023–2024 design." }, { "publisher": "Slider Revolution", "url": "https://www.sliderrevolution.com/design/website-layout-examples/", "recognition": "Selected creative website layout example", "quoteSummary": "Dated October 9 2024 layout article features Studio Freight. Downloaded and visually inspected its screenshot: black ground, cream stretched headline, green utility labels, three-column about/projects/project-detail layout." }, { "publisher": "Fabulousite", "url": "https://fabulousite.com/studio-freight-built-on-principle/", "recognition": "Web design gallery selection", "quoteSummary": "Dedicated gallery entry names Built on Principle and links directly to Studio Freight. This is gallery inclusion, not an award." }, { "publisher": "Siteinspire", "url": "https://www.siteinspire.com/website/9889-studio-freight", "recognition": "Web design inspiration feature, 8 February 2023", "quoteSummary": "Dated Studio Freight selection in Design & Art Direction and Agencies & Consultancies; matches older edition chronology." } ], "gaps": [], "designObservations": [ "Very wide cream display headline on near-black", "Exposed three-column about/projects/project-detail structure", "Green utility type and selected-item glow", "Thin dividers and small crosshair registration marks", "Work preview changes within a raw catalogue rather than a card grid" ], "excludedEvidence": [ "Curated.design is a Craftwork product: not an independent sixth publisher.", "UI UX Showcase text calls it brutalist but its actual screenshot is 2026 light redesign: excluded.", "Design On Acid directory entry is weaker than positive curated features: excluded." ] }, { "reference": "Bruno Simon Portfolio (2019)", "liveURL": "https://2019.bruno-simon.com/", "archetype": "Playful 3D / toy-world exploration", "edition": "2019 original; do not conflate with 2025 rebuild", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/sites/bruno-simon-portfolio", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 11 November 2019; Developer Award", "quoteSummary": "Award page records 8.04 overall and highlights 3D game navigation." }, { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/woty/bruno-simon-portfolio/36090/", "recognition": "Website of the Year 2019", "quoteSummary": "Primary award page names the portfolio and records 9.33 final judge score." }, { "publisher": "FWA", "url": "https://thefwa.com/FWA25/RobFWA.html", "recognition": "FWA of the Month for original portfolio, confirmed retrospectively", "quoteSummary": "Rob Ford's December 2025 feature explicitly recalls the original six years earlier as an FWA of the Month winner, then distinguishes the new 2025 version." }, { "publisher": "Creative Bloq", "url": "https://www.creativebloq.com/news/3d-car-portfolio", "recognition": "Positive editorial feature, 2023", "quoteSummary": "Dedicated feature praises driving around the portfolio and calls the 3D experience slick and fun." }, { "publisher": "Muzli — Design Inspiration", "url": "https://medium.muz.li/getting-started-with-creating-3d-experiences-for-the-web-2dfdd9fdb3d0", "recognition": "Positive independent design editorial, 27 August 2021", "quoteSummary": "Product designer Himanshu Aneja singles out and links Simon's portfolio as an exceptionally creative website; publication predates the 2025 rebuild." } ], "designObservations": [ "Spatial project navigation replaces a conventional page stack.", "Small low-poly vehicle and grounded shadows make a tactile toy world.", "Warm orange/yellow palette, physical-looking signposts, and playful motion.", "Translate the exploration metaphor into original clickable project islands with clear navigation fallback; do not clone assets." ], "gaps": [], "status": "Five distinct publishers verified; editorial acclaim is distinguished from awards." }, { "reference": "Robby Leonardi Interactive Resume", "liveURL": "https://www.rleonardi.com/interactive-resume/", "archetype": "Retro arcade / side-scrolling illustrated world", "edition": "2013 interactive resume", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/web-design-awards/robby-leonardi", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 29 November 2013", "quoteSummary": "Indexed primary award page records 7.51 and describes a colorful side-scrolling world inspired by platform games.", "verificationNote": "Search result supplied full award-page content; later direct open returned an access error." }, { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/robby-leonardi/23615/", "recognition": "Website of the Day, 21 October 2013", "quoteSummary": "Primary page records 9.73 and praises gamified, animated resume navigation." }, { "publisher": "CSS Winner", "url": "https://www.csswinner.com/details/robby-leonardi/5910", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 18 October 2013", "quoteSummary": "Primary award detail explicitly identifies the site and date." }, { "publisher": "One Page Love", "url": "https://onepagelove.com/robby-leonardi", "recognition": "Most Loved editorial selection, 17 October 2013", "quoteSummary": "Editorial calls the interactive resume amazing, celebrates illustration and color, and labels it a contender for One Pager of the Year." }, { "publisher": "Creative Bloq", "url": "https://www.creativebloq.com/netmag/robby-leonardi-his-zigzagging-path-success-31410874", "recognition": "Dedicated design editorial/interview, 2014", "quoteSummary": "Features the interactive portfolio and explains turning resume sections into levels, with enemies as charts. Also mentions a net Awards nomination, which is not counted as a win." } ], "designObservations": [ "Bright flat illustration, horizontal travel, and character-led navigation.", "Information is built into game scenery rather than generic cards.", "Translate hackathons to distinct levels, with a clear professional-work destination.", "Use original pixel geometry and local controls; the reference itself is illustrated flat design, not strictly pixel art." ], "gaps": [], "status": "Five distinct publishers verified; three awards and two editorial selections." }, { "reference": "Resn agency portfolio", "liveURL": "https://resn.co.nz/", "archetype": "Surreal interactive / expressive digital gallery", "edition": "2016 crystal-droplet portfolio, preserved in One Page Love screenshots", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/blog/?category=news&page=4&tag=sites-of-the-month&text=css3The", "recognition": "Site of the Month, June 2016", "quoteSummary": "Awwwards' indexed blog archive lists its 6 July 2016 article, Resn Wins the Title of #SOTM for June.", "verificationNote": "Verified in indexed publisher archive content; direct article URL not yet retrieved. Use archive URL, not guessed article slug." }, { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/resn/28611/", "recognition": "Website of the Day, 14 June 2016; Website of the Month, June", "quoteSummary": "Primary page records both awards and 8.35 final judge score." }, { "publisher": "One Page Love", "url": "https://onepagelove.com/resn", "recognition": "Positive editorial selection, 6 September 2016", "quoteSummary": "Praises six press-and-hold animation sections, transitions, and execution; calls it a contender for One Pager of the Year." }, { "publisher": "Idealog", "url": "https://idealog.co.nz/design/2016/06/design-agency-resns-new-website-feast-eyes", "recognition": "Positive design editorial, 16 June 2016", "quoteSummary": "Dedicated design feature describes the crystal droplet, psychedelic interactions, and bold experimental approach." }, { "publisher": "Best Design Awards / Designers Institute of New Zealand", "url": "https://bestawards.co.nz/digital/small-scale-websites/resn/Entry:9486781a-bfb2-4d24-ab42-7cb1f4ebc487/", "recognition": "2016 Small Scale Websites entry with positive jury review", "quoteSummary": "Judges praise immersive discovery, mobile execution, and the playful setting. Award medal level is not visible in extracted text and is not claimed." } ], "designObservations": [ "Near-black canvas with a faceted central object and minimal surrounding type.", "Press-and-hold triggers vivid, strange audiovisual worlds.", "Core navigation remains anchored apart from experimental content.", "Translate to original abstract orb/portal, changing colors and compositions, with reduced-motion support." ], "gaps": [ "Awwwards recognition confirmed via indexed archive, but direct article link remains unresolved.", "Best Design Awards medal level is not established; count the explicit positive jury review rather than inventing a medal." ], "status": "Five distinct publishers support acclaim; two evidence qualifications recorded." }, { "reference": "Lusion v3", "liveURL": "https://lusion.co/", "archetype": "Luminous sculpture / immersive futurism", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/lusion-v3/44311", "recognition": "Website of the Year 2023 and Website of the Day 25 October 2023", "quoteSummary": "Award record explicitly identifies third-version studio portfolio." }, { "publisher": "CSS Winner", "url": "https://www.csswinner.com/details/lusion-v3/17531", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 7 October 2023", "quoteSummary": "Lusion v3 scored 8.0." }, { "publisher": "Orpetron", "url": "https://orpetron.com/sites/lusion-v3/", "recognition": "Site of the Year 2023", "quoteSummary": "Third-version portfolio award record scores the website 9.4." }, { "publisher": "Communication Arts", "url": "https://www.commarts.com/project/36283/lusion", "recognition": "Interactive Best-in-Show / Art/Design", "quoteSummary": "Recognizes the third portfolio version, its interactive astronaut, fluid simulation and real-time storytelling." }, { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/websites/%23F0EBE7/?page=14", "recognition": "Site of the Year 2023 and Developer Award", "quoteSummary": "Official gallery explicitly labels Lusion v3 as SOTY 2023. The direct entry URL returned an internal error in the browsing tool." } ], "observations": [ "Five distinct publishers verified through web tool content. All five explicitly target v3.", "Awwwards direct URL https://www.awwwards.com/sites/lusion-v3 may be preferable to gallery link after independent check.", "Translate interactive sculptures and staged visual storytelling into own artwork; avoid copying assets." ] }, { "reference": "Active Theory V6", "liveURL": "https://activetheory.net/", "archetype": "Cinematic sci-fi / neon", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/active-theory-v6/45015/", "recognition": "Website of the Day, 13 February 2024", "quoteSummary": "V6 recognized with UI, UX and Innovation awards and 8.93 score." }, { "publisher": "Orpetron", "url": "https://orpetron.com/sites/active-theory-v6/", "recognition": "Site of the Month, February 2024", "quoteSummary": "V6 award record emphasizes 3D, dark visuals and interactive animation." }, { "publisher": "Pickselverse", "url": "https://pickselverse.com/site/active-theory-v6/", "recognition": "Curated digital design feature", "quoteSummary": "V6 selected in its best-of-digital gallery; tagged 3D, colorful and glowing effect." }, { "publisher": "Lapa Ninja", "url": "https://www.lapa.ninja/elements/activetheory/", "recognition": "Curated loading-animation feature", "quoteSummary": "Active Theory included in the gallery of best landing-page sections." }, { "publisher": "MaxiBestOf", "url": "https://maxibestof.one/websites/17178-active-theory", "recognition": "Website design gallery feature", "quoteSummary": "Active Theory gallery entry credits its design and identifies Ki typography." } ], "observations": [ "Five distinct publishers positively feature the studio site. First three explicitly label V6; Lapa Ninja and MaxiBestOf do not state edition and should be treated as site-level recognition.", "Awwwards official account also announces V6 SOTD at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/awwwards_active-theory-v6-awwwards-sotd-activity-7160573289638113281-zSHp ; direct award page pending.", "Cinematic near-black stage, glowing forms, very sparse foreground copy; original art only." ] }, { "reference": "Locomotive", "liveURL": "https://locomotive.ca/", "archetype": "Swiss editorial grid", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/locomotive/43241/", "recognition": "Website of the Day, 27 April 2023", "quoteSummary": "Portfolio tagged grid, minimal and typographic, scored 8.37." }, { "publisher": "CSS Winner", "url": "https://www.csswinner.com/details/locomotive/17033", "recognition": "Site of the Day, 29 March 2023", "quoteSummary": "Studio website scored 8.0." }, { "publisher": "Siteinspire", "url": "https://www.siteinspire.com/website/6559-locomotive", "recognition": "Curated website feature, 14 February 2023", "quoteSummary": "Selected for showcase of the web's finest design and talent." }, { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/websites/%23c3e8ee/?page=19", "recognition": "Site of the Month, March 2023 and Developer Award", "quoteSummary": "Official gallery explicitly labels Locomotive with both awards." }, { "publisher": "Refs.Gallery", "url": "https://refs.gallery/projects/locomotive", "recognition": "Editorial design inspiration feature, 25 January 2026", "quoteSummary": "Praises thematic cohesion, overprinted typography, motion and sticky media arrangements." } ], "observations": [ "Five distinct publisher records verified. First four dated 2023; Refs.Gallery is a 2026 site-level feature, so edition continuity is unconfirmed.", "Refs.Gallery performance/accessibility claims were not independently checked and must not be reused as our claims.", "Strict columns, oversized display text, index numbering and rhythmic project placement." ] }, { "reference": "AIM — AI Modernism of Kharkiv by Obys", "liveURL": "https://aim.obys.agency/", "archetype": "Constructivist typography / art exhibition", "evidence": [ { "publisher": "Communication Arts", "url": "https://www.commarts.com/webpicks/aim", "recognition": "Webpicks editorial feature", "quoteSummary": "Selected project describes grid-based storytelling and wide lines inspired by 1930s New Generation magazine." }, { "publisher": "Site of Sites", "url": "https://www.siteofsites.co/websites/aim-obys", "recognition": "Curated design feature, 29 January 2024", "quoteSummary": "AIM selected with agency, design, Webflow, and black-and-white categories." }, { "publisher": "Ukrainian Creative Stories", "url": "https://creative-stories.com.ua/en/ukrainian-design-the-very-best-of/winners-ud/aim-4417", "recognition": "Best of, Interface & User Experience Design", "quoteSummary": "Official award record identifies AIM, Obys, and aim.obys.agency." }, { "publisher": "CSS Design Awards", "url": "https://www.cssdesignawards.com/sites/aim-ai-modernism-of-kharkiv/44754/", "recognition": "Website of the Day, 28 December 2023", "quoteSummary": "Project-specific award record, 8.46 final score; categorized art with typographic and scrolling tags." }, { "publisher": "Awwwards", "url": "https://www.awwwards.com/websites/graphic-design/?page=91", "recognition": "Site of the Month, January 2024; Developer Award; No-code Honors", "quoteSummary": "Official award gallery explicitly names AIM — AI Modernism of Kharkiv and these three honors." } ], "observations": [ "Five distinct independent publishers verified for this specific project. Extra corroboration: Orpetron lists AIM as SOTD and includes it in its curated text-animation roundup.", "Communication Arts project entry https://www.commarts.com/project/36255/aim also verified, but same publisher and not counted twice.", "Avoid Muzli self-post by Obys; not independent selection evidence.", "Awwwards direct entry fetch timed out, so verified official award-gallery URL is retained.", "Additional independent praise: https://orpetron.com/blog/10-websites-converting-boring-texts-into-animation-masterpieces/?orp_modal=login (AIM appears as item 4)." ] } ]