I selected three standout websites from Awwwards that captivated me for different reasons: artistry, innovation, and emotional depth. Each left a strong impression not just because of how they looked, but how they made me feel and interact. These are the kinds of immersive experiences I want to learn from—and eventually build.
1. VAR 1944: Operation Dragoon
<https://www.awwwards.com/sites/var-1944-operation-dragoon>
What instantly grabbed me about this site was its bold visual introduction—its hero section had a quiet confidence. The illustrated portraits felt personal, almost sacred, like they were inviting me into something deeply human. And they were. The site tells the stories of 80 French soldiers who participated in a lesser-known WWII operation. I didn’t expect to feel emotionally connected to this subject matter, but the storytelling pulled me in.
The visual style used animation and illustration masterfully. Each portrait was drawn in a unified art style, creating cohesion and invoking the Gestalt principles of proximity and continuity. The subtle animation – a kind of looping carousel—created urgency; I wanted to click before a portrait disappeared. Once clicked, the site delivered these powerful, narrated stories in French, with a highlighted English translation that synced beautifully with the audio. That touch alone was stunning-quietly multilingual without being overwhelming.
What impressed me further was the smooth, intuitive experience. Despite its visual weight and historical depth, the site loaded fast, navigated effortlessly, and kept a consistent palette-sepia tones, muted earth colors, and military-inspired fonts-that honored its subject matter without slipping into cliché. I also noted the parallax scrolling, which gave the site a cinematic feel without distracting from the content. This site wasn’t just good-looking-it was deeply respectful and innovative. I’ll definitely borrow from it for emotional storytelling in future projects.
2. Hautech AI
<https://www.hautech-ai.com>
This site caught me off guard-in a good way. From the opening hero, I could tell something was different. The models were pristine, editorial even, but something about the layout felt off-like they were all perfectly still, lined up for something more conceptual than just fashion. Then I realized none of the people were real. This was AI modeling.
Hautech AI offers fashion brands the ability to skip traditional photoshoots by applying garments directly to AI-generated models. What stood out to me wasn’t just the tech—it was the balance. The site design gives ample breathing room through smart use of white space, high contrast, and generous spacing between elements. Every section felt refined and purposeful. It had this polished minimalism that matched the futuristic idea of the product itself. The UX was direct and professional but never cold. Even the slightly uncanny effect of the models aligned perfectly with the concept: post-human fashion, streamlined and scalable.
This site had me thinking deeply about alignment between concept and design. The slightly “conveyor belt” aesthetic was brilliant—it wasn’t accidental. It told me something about automation and visual uniformity, and it stuck.
3. Into the Amazon – National Geographic
<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/into-the-amazon >
This site is like nothing I’ve ever visited before. It’s clean and thoughtfully minimal. The text is sparse but powerful, with immersive, full-screen visuals that speak louder than words. As a user, you’re given a sense of freedom—the navigation isn’t obvious, but that’s the point. You’re left to explore like an adventurer, navigating as though you’re in a game, not a browser.
The infinite scroll, layered sound design, subtle parallax, and responsive UI work together to blur the line between story and experience. The transitions feel seamless—no lag, no friction. What’s fascinating is that the experience is largely user-directed. There’s little overt instruction or interface, which builds this feeling that you’re the one in control, lost in a world with no set destination. It’s a bold choice, and it works beautifully.
What I take away from this site is how to use restraint to create impact. Every interaction was intentional, every scroll and fade adding to the immersive narrative. The site doesn’t force you to go anywhere—it lets you discover. That’s powerful UX, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Each of these websites opened up new ideas for me about what’s possible with storytelling, interaction, and design. They weren’t just beautiful—they were intentional. I hope to integrate some of these techniques into my own creative practice: strong visuals that evoke emotion, intuitive user journeys, and immersive experiences that let users feel like they’re truly part of the story.