Comment by tgv

Wrt to the remarks about this being bad design: not everything is meant for (immediate) usability. Sometimes, a web page functions or doubles as marketing material.

And there's more than "minimal number of interactions" functionality. People generally like good looking stuff. While it may be superfluous, it may feel more pleasing than yet another dark gray text on a light grey square. It may even help remembering navigation, since it's easier to remember deviating design.