Visual exploration
We began exploring how we might create a microsite with different levels of expressiveness. At this point, it was very beneficial to have the entire team on the same page, and since we had agreed on our main goals and design principles as a team, we were able to create a unified depth of work across the spectrum from functional to expressive.
I was most involved in the creation of the first two sites, specifically in the areas of visual design (color, type) and content design.
The focus for our microsite is to create pre-event excitement for La Batie's cabaret events. We achieved this by providing a snapshot of what the cabaret event entails, and how it contrasts from the norm. Inspired by the stark contrast between the everyday world and the eccentricity of the drag shows, the directions aim to engage the visitor by creating an experience centered around the dynamic expressions of the performers.
Functional and expressive
The dynamic personalities of the performers play an integral role to build the atmosphere of the cabaret shows. By surfacing performer-related content via names, headshots and recordings, this direction aims to bring the dynamic personalities of the performers to the forefront.
The microsite uses fast moving interactions to shock and excite users, similar to the experience of a cabaret show. Particularly when visiting an Artist page, the interactions are meant to be loud, dynamic, and full of personality - exactly like the personality of a cabaret performer.
An early microsite that I designed
Expressive
The microsite displays the interconnectedness of the four La Batie events by displaying elements of each event on screen at the same time. The user is meant to feel as they are in control of how and what content is delivered to them. For example, rescaling the four quadrants of the events dynamically changes the content displayed. The intent is to entice the user to explore through discovery of content in a stimulating manner.
I worked on the color and type for this microsite
Extremely expressive
Details of the event are revealed in small pieces of content via interaction (hover, drag) — providing a fun experience for viewers to discover and manipulate the content. By maintaining feelings of mystery and curiosity, the viewer is incited to attend the event in order to achieve the whole experience.
The most expressive microsite
Pivot point
The team felt strongly that we could pursue all three of these directions, but we choose to move forwards with the most expressive direction because we thought we would learn the most by taking the opportunity to explore more experimental interactions.
I suggested that we consider moving forwards with an "after the event" microsite so that we could create an opportunity for the audience to provide more support to drag artists after the show, in a merchandising like concept, and this is something we moved forwards with.