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OLD FUTURE ECHOS

Crafting a Digital Space for Vintage Electronica & Artistry of SSaGa-G.

Portfolio Website Design
15m
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Designing a Seamless Digital Space for Old Future's Sculpture Mastery and Vintage Electronica.
Old Future, a distinctive brand under the helm of SSaGa-G, stands as a testament to the fusion of vintage electronics and the art of sculpture. The project was initiated in January 2023 with the primary intention of engaging audiences without the conventional crutch of written content, presenting a unique challenge.

Positioned in Fremont, this avant-garde artist had a vivid vision – to bolster his online presence without explicitly defining his art. The challenge lay in capturing the essence of SSaGa-G's work, ensuring a balance between abstract conceptualization and user-friendliness.

Over the course of the project, we embarked on a journey that spanned intensive research, strategic conceptualization, and dynamic design.

The aim was to craft a digital experience that resonated with the artist's ethos, encouraged prolonged browse times, amplified social sharing, and increased overall page visits. The final product is a seamless blend of strong branding, engaging visuals, and strategic community-building elements, all harmoniously coexisting in a responsive web space.

Problem

Fremont-based artist SSaGa-G seeks an online presence without explicit explanatory content, risking potential visitor confusion or disengagement.

Hypothesis

By crafting a visually engaging website with strong branding and interactive features, we can enhance user engagement and interpretation, even without direct content explanation.

Phase One: Research

5m
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BACKGROUND

As part of Old Future's quest to bring the artistry of SSaGa-G online, the foundational step was in-depth research. This ensured that the digital embodiment would resonate with the brand and its audience, especially considering the artist's unique request to withhold explicit explanations about his work.
Who I am Interviewing?
Targeted interviews were conducted with art enthusiasts, previous patrons, and individuals who have shown interest in artistry like SSaGa-G's. This demographic provided insights into how they interact with online artist portfolios and their expectations.

Secondary Research

Beyond direct interviews, there was an extensive review of successful artist portfolios, focusing on how they engage audiences, especially if they minimize written content. Comparisons with industry standards and emerging trends were crucial.

Key Findings

It was discerned that strong visuals hold paramount importance. Further, there's a distinct appreciation when audiences are given a sneak peek into the creation process. Additionally, feedback mechanisms, like comments or interactive features, significantly enhance user engagement.

Phase Two: Emphasize

5m
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Visitor Goal

The audience seeks more than just a visual treat; they want an experience. They aim to immerse themselves in SSaGa-G's world, balancing between visual appreciation and grasping any underlying messages or themes the artist might subtly convey.

Visitor Need

While the first attraction is always the art, there is a deep-seated need among visitors to form a connection. Whether it's deciphering the materials used, the creative process, or the muse behind a piece, this deeper understanding amplifies their appreciation.
Visitor Profile
A typical visitor is envisioned as someone more than just a casual browser. They are art enthusiasts, perhaps even collectors, who have a penchant for the unique and conceptual. They value depth and are always on the lookout for art forms that challenge the norm or offer a fresh perspective.

Challenges

The challenge lay in a unique juxtaposition: while SSaGa-G wished for his art to speak for itself, leaving much to conceptual interpretation, the online audience often seeks a narrative or context. Striking this balance without overwhelming or under-informing became paramount.
Without textual content to guide the viewer, the potential risks were many: a disoriented audience, reduced engagement, or even a misinterpretation of the art's essence. The task was to evoke a strong sense of SSaGa-G's artistry while honoring his wish for minimalistic content.

Key Questions

Project's Primary Goal: Was the primary goal to showcase SSaGa-G's art or to build a broader brand identity? Could these coexist?
Target Audience: Who was this website truly for? Regular art enthusiasts, collectors, or perhaps first-time art explorers?‍
Risks of a Non-explanatory Approach: How could the design compensate for the lack of textual explanation? What visual or interactive elements could bridge this gap?

Phase Three: Ideate

5m
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Directions

Unique Branding: SSaGa-G's portfolio had to stand out. The idea was to create a brand identity so compelling that the artwork would be instantly recognizable as his.
Process and Materials: Delving into the artistry, there was a move to showcase not just the final piece but the journey — the materials used, the methods applied, and the inspirations drawn.
Community Building: Considering the contemporary digital age, integrating social sharing features and leveraging blogs to draw audiences and foster a sense of community became pivotal.

SEO Improvement

Number Titles: Introducing numbered titles for artworks, offering a unique reference and potentially enhancing search visibility.
Making Process: Dedicating a section to provide a detailed overview of the creation process — a draw for enthusiasts and a boost for organic search.
Blogs & Socials: Leveraging blog posts to discuss art themes, inspirations, and more, amplifying the website's reach through social media sharing capabilities.

Phase Four: Design Iterations

3m
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Mobile-first vs. Desktop

In today's mobile-dominated landscape, the question arose: should the design be mobile-first? Considering the intricate visual nature of artwork, a balanced approach was adopted, ensuring impeccable rendering on both mobile and desktop.

Design System

Given the unique nature of the portfolio and the brand's distinct identity, it was deemed necessary to craft a dedicated design system. This would maintain coherence across the website, offering a seamless experience.

Visual Design Language

The palette drew inspiration from the artworks themselves, ensuring that the digital interface didn't overshadow but complemented the art. The aesthetics were consistent, with an emphasis on minimalism and elegance.

Key Features

One Page Website: Ensuring content accessibility without overwhelming navigation.
Grid Layout: Offering an organized yet visually appealing display of artworks.
Scroll Animation & Interactivity: Enhancing user engagement through captivating animations.
Strong Brand Identity: A consistent theme echoing SSaGa-G's unique artistry.
Engaging Visuals & Animations: Complementing the artworks, enriching the user's visual journey.
Blog Posting & Social Sharing: Integrating the community building ideation.
Responsive Design: Ensuring the website is accessible and visually appealing across devices.

Phase Five: Final Design

10m
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Result

The strategic redesign of "Old Future" led to a marked increase in user visits and prolonged browse times, underscoring the combined benefits of improved SEO and engaging user experience.
What I learn from this project?
Throughout the "Old Future" project, I deepened my appreciation for the delicate interplay between artistry and functionality in web design. I realized that while an artist's vision is paramount, translating that vision into an accessible and engaging digital space requires a nuanced approach.

By prioritizing conceptual interpretation, we ventured into the challenge of building an immersive experience without traditional content. This taught me the power of visuals and animations in telling a story and holding a user's attention.
Additionally, I learned the importance of continuous feedback and iteration, especially when working on a project that pushes conventional boundaries.

Collaborating closely with SSaGa-G reminded me that, in design, there's often a middle ground that satisfies both the creator's vision and the audience's need for engagement. Navigating the intricacies of SEO and marrying it with the artist's vision emphasized the necessity of being adaptive, innovative, and receptive to change in the dynamic world of web design.
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