Is there a purpose for those bars?

[pardon]

Hi all,

I'm curious about a design/UI trend I've been noticing over for a while: a 2-10px bar/rule/strip of color at the top of websites, buffering the page from, presumably, the browser's toolbars. Is there a UX purpose for this? Does it serve a practical function as well as a formal/aesthetic function?

For reference, see these sites:
http://www.informationarchitects.jp/en/
http://www.alistapart.com/
http://ilovetypography.com/

What's their purpose?

Thanks!

 

[Web Design]

looks like they are just there to look pretty

 

[bcee]

buffering the page from, presumably, the browser's toolbars.

I would say bingo. Design aesthetic with function to provide padding and contrast that will easily distinguish the start of the document. Great eye. UX is king.

 

[PixelPusher]

I would say this is purely a design element, and part of that design is to create a visual separation from the browser toolbars.

 

[mikarusensei]

I think the bar is for visual presentation.The more catch it is the more customer they will get.You agree guys?

Cubicle Furniture
Office Furniture Tables

 

[smoovo]

Not at all

Please read PixelPusher's reply... It is only visual separation between the browser's top and the website itself.

____________________
SMooVo- Web Design
[email protected]
www.SMooVo.com