effectively using a 404 error message

It's hard for artists to truly feel "finished" with a piece. Especially for a pet project. Every time we open up our site for review, we want to add more details, whether they are great or small. This also applies to how we work, we like to keep adding even to the minor element of our website, even if no one will see them or notice.

The "404 Error" page is an example. When someone has a type-o in entering a directory name in our site, (or any site, for that matter) an error page or notice will usually pop up. These are typically bland, with default type stating "error" on a white, and otherwise blank page.

We didn't leave it as such...here's what we did:

(ABOVE: the graphic. BELOW: the graphic in context. Click for close up.)

So if you were to manually type in "www.bearbearcreative.com/services" instead of what it should be ("www.bearbearcreative.com/services.shtml" - [note the ".shtml" at end of the word "services"]), it would take you to this specially designed 404 error page, and more clearly orient you around our site. We made it functional and easy to understand that the page is an error/non-existent, while staying thematically cohesive to the site theme. Go ahead and try it out!

Also, isn't this just much more friendly than seeing "404 error" in 24 pt Arial? I know when I see just "404 error" I feel a little startled. "ERROR" --- It just looks like a word that wants to bite you. (Yes, I know that real bears can bite too, but in this case we're talking about cuddly bears...and anyways, sometimes biting isn't so bad. Hehe.)

Look in the future for these kinds of details and additions on top of new site content. Who knows, we may quiz you on it and you can win a prize!