Work

Inspired Artisans (IA), founded in 1997, is an artisan studio located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin specializing in creating custom contemporary and traditional artwork for religious, civic and education spaces.

As their portfolio expanded in both scope and national reach, IA needed a website redesign that would not only support their growing collection but also inspire prospective clients to envision bespoke projects for their own institutions. Viewing the portfolio as more than just a sales deck, we approached it with the mindset of a cultural institution, treating it as a curated collection. This perspective shaped the design strategy, leading to the development of robust tagging, data structures, and an image management system, ensuring that the portfolio remained dynamic, easily navigable, and visually engaging.

Content & Data Strategy Phase

With our expertise with cultural institutions, we treated Inspired Artisans’ portfolio as a dynamic, evolving collection rather than a static catalog thinking about how to create an experience of a comprehensive collection of work that is engaging and explorable. This lens guided us to redesign the site’s architecture, making it not just a repository of work but an engaging, exploratory experience that highlights IA’s artistry and craftsmanship.

New Project Database

A key update was the introduction of a robust project database that features large, high-quality imagery that would immerse visitors in the artwork. Built with a future-friendly schema, this database allows for easy updates and additions, ensuring that the database can be seamlessly integrated into future iterations of the website or other digital applications, effectively serving the living archive of IA’s work. 

Dynamic Tagging System

We also implemented a dynamic tagging system that would extend beyond just projects – whether it's a news update, blog post, or press mention – to be tagged with relevant keywords. These tags can then become pages in their own right, offering site visitors a more interactive and exploratory experience. For example, a tag like “animals” or “art glass” could aggregate all related projects, news, and content onto a single page, making it easier for visitors to explore IA’s work by theme or subject manner. This tagging system would enhance user experience by allowing for both broad exploration and specific, in-depth searches. 

Wireframes

With a solid content and data strategy in place, we shifted our focus to translating this strategy into tangible user experiences by wireframing. Our goal was to create a platform that not only showcases IA’s extensive portfolio but also makes exploration intuitive and engaging. This led to several key interface updates to enhance how users interact with and discover IA’s work. 

Visual Brand Updates

Inspired Artisans visual brand required a transformation to better reflect the high level of craftsmanship and artistry that defines their work. Our comprehensive art direction strategy focused on concepts around experiential, tactility, physicality, richness and structure. To explore these themes, we explore widely until we resulting in a cohesive and impactful visual language.

Our explorations, led us to lots of discoveries:

Colors & Texture

We introduced a renewed color palette featuring rich purples and lustrous golds, carefully chosen to evoke a sense of richness and elegance. These colors not only conveyed the studio’s commitment to quality and artistic excellence but also aligned the visual identity with the grandeur of IA’s work. The interplay of these hues creates a sophisticated atmosphere that resonates with IA’s clientele. 

To imbue the site with a tactile, physical quality that directly reflects the craftsmanship of IA's creations, we incorporated mosaic textures throughout the design. Subtle background patterns add depth and visually connect the digital space with the studio's rich artistic tradition. This layered approach creates a sensory experience that echoes the tangible nature of IA's physical artworks.

Editorial Style Images

Large, editorial-style images with full bleeds take center stage throughout the website. This bold approach provides ample space for showcasing the intricate details of IA's portfolio, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the artistry. The use of high-quality, expansive imagery invites users to explore and appreciate the nuances of each piece, much like they would in a physical gallery space.

To add a unique dimension to the site, we created artistic cutouts of select pieces. This technique not only adds visual interest but also helps to highlight individual works, allowing them to stand out from their surroundings. The cutouts, complete with subtle shadows, create an illusion of depth reminiscent of illusionistic ceiling frescoes, further emphasizing IA's mastery of traditional artistic techniques.

Typography

The typography choices were deliberate and impactful,with headings that protrude from the page and are adorned with golden borders evoking a sense of prominence, elegance, and precision. The interplay between sans-serif and serif fonts introduces a dynamic contrast that bridges the tradition with contemporary. This typographic approach not only enhances readability but also reinforces the brand’s identity as a modern studio deeply rooted in artistic tradition. 

By implementing these visual elements, we created a digital experience matches the level of beauty and craftsmanship of Inspired Artisans’ work. 

Interface Updates

We also came up with innovative ways for users to explore the portfolio through custom interface designs. 

Explore By Featured Projects

We introduced a dynamic slider that showcases IA’s most successful and impressive work, allowing users to immediately engage with the artistry and craftsmanship that defines the studio. 

Explore By Categories

Two sliders were implemented to enhance exploration:

1. Featured Categories

This was a key section on the home as it would highlight IA’s most impactful and sought-after categories. And so, we spend a lot of time exploring the layout and motion to craft something that is high-design.

The final design was a carousel slider with special cut outs.

2. All Categories Slider

We also included slider that provides a comprehensive view of the entire portfolio enabling users to explore projects based on their interested in specific subjects (i.e Angels) or medium (i.e. Art Glass). 

Explore By Location

We integrated a map-based feature for geographic exploration, where projects are visually represented by their locations. Projects are categorized into featured and non-featured, with yellow dots indicating featured projects. Clicking on a featured project activates a slider, facilitating seamless navigation through highlighted projects nationwide.

This map interface not only showcases IA's extensive reach but also offers an immersive experience, allowing users to discover and connect with the studio's diverse portfolio. It was a way to visually grasp all the work they have done creating a sense of credibility and trust.

Other Features:

Accessibility: Recognizing that the original site was limited to desktop devices, we shifted towards responsive design, ensuring universal accessibility and engagement across diverse devices. This change broadens the site’s user base and allows more visitors to experience IA’s portfolio. 

These enhancements in architecture and interface establish a user-centric platform that offers multiple entry points into Inspired Artisans' extensive portfolio. By providing diverse pathways, visitors can seamlessly explore the breadth of IA's work, fostering an environment that encourages them to envision bespoke projects for their institutions. Additionally, the system allows users to pinpoint examples that align more specifically with their interests, enhancing the overall user experience and engagement on the platform.

Conclusion

The redesign of Inspired Artisans' portfolio website represents a strategic and comprehensive approach to address functional and brand challenges. The multifaceted initiative successfully tackled issues in information architecture, interface design, and brand representation, with a focus on highlighting IA's unique custom processes. The dynamic categorization system, responsive design, and innovative interfaces create a user-centric platform, facilitating a seamless exploration of IA's extensive portfolio. The brand transformation reflects a contemporary identity aligned with IA's commitment to grandeur, beauty, and craftsmanship. By addressing function and brand, the redesigned website invites visitors to envision bespoke creations for their own spaces.