The Art of Customization
Where Art meets Web Design
Bento layout Moodboard
About the Project:
Being an interdisciplinary artist, creating a cohesive visual environment for your work can be exceptionally challenging, especially when your art varies greatly. And this is precisely where my project took root…
"The Art of Customization" delves into the intersection of creative self-expression and web design, aiming to harmonize the realms of digital and traditional artistic creation. By incorporating hand-drawn iconography, digitization, and animation, the project aspires not only to craft a distinctive online experience but also to serve as an artistic catalog for my journey.
Initially, in the process of constructing an online portfolio, I relied on an existing off-the-shelf template. While it served its purpose adequately for a time, as my body of work expanded, so did the need for visual cohesion. While this presented a challenge, it ultimately opened the door to new creative opportunities.
Custom Iconography Design
The Problem and The Goal
As I delved deeper into the project, I encountered some primary concerns. The lack of visual coherence and the sense of mass production were at the forefront of my mind. The site lacked a definitive edge, causing the work to become lost in itself, resulting in an overwhelming viewing experience. So, what initially appeared advantageous eventually revealed itself as a disadvantage.
Given these challenges, the overarching objective was to create a website that not only captured attention, but also engaged, unified, and authentically represented my skill set. The goal was to strive for the highest level of customization possible without delving into custom code, but rather by harnessing the potential of the original template.
The Journey
The project's success rested on a meticulously planned array of strategies. My aim was to maintain uniformity in the overall look and feel of the site, including the color scheme, functionality, and the tools needed to bring these ideas to fruition.
When considering the concept of overall consistency and cohesiveness, I chose to maintain a hand-drawn illustration style for both the imagery and added text elements. This was achieved by using the same brush in Procreate, serving as the linchpin for visual coherence. Other tools used included Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, prototyping in Figma, and lastly, Squarespace.
Home page layout design test in Figma
The deliberate choice of a black and white color scheme was a practical decision aimed at aiding the overall cohesion of the site. Interactivity was achieved through the strategic placement of animated gifs and effects, bringing the illustrations to life. This approach ensured that the website exuded a hand-drawn feel, seamlessly blending static and animated elements.
Hand-drawn step-by-step rat animation using Procreate
The Challenges and The Result
Embarking on the task of creating a 'fully' customized site, without delving into code, initially seemed overwhelming, but once I took that leap of faith, it became easier. The primary hurdle was defining the visual style, but once that was decided, the process flowed smoothly, from crafting a test page to seamlessly implementing it throughout the entire site. Time, undoubtedly, emerged as a substantial investment in this project. However, given the goal I aimed to achieve at this stage of my portfolio, every additional effort was more than worthwhile.
Supporting Assets- Sticky note icon animation
For me, this project was a personal test and challenge to see how far I could push myself to achieve the maximum level of customization without resorting to complex custom coding. Through this process, I learned that embracing risks and venturing into new artistic territories can be extremely intimidating, yet they can also become catalysts for unparalleled growth and discovery. It's in these uncharted waters that we uncover hidden talents, forge unique pathways, and truly breathe life into our creative endeavors. Remember, the essence of art lies not just in its mastery, but in the daring spirit that propels us forward.