CSS Design Awards Website

Role

As the Director of Product & Technology at WONDR, I led the creation of a compelling event brand and website for the CSS Design Awards (CSSDA), specifically for their 2018 Website of the Year experience. Our objective was to develop a digital experience that communicated the vibrant creativity of the community that powers CSSDA. ‍

Challenges

The primary challenge was to create an engaging and immersive digital experience that reflected the creativity and community spirit of CSSDA, while effectively showcasing the finalists and winners of the web design and development industry.

Solution

Our approach involved a comprehensive strategy encompassing creative concept development, user interaction design, and social media integration:

1. Creative Strategy & Brand Language:
   • Concept Development: We developed the concept of a 'Neon Coral', a metaphor representing thriving creativity and community. This concept set CSSDA apart as a vibrant creative habitat amidst the vast sea of internet content.
   • 3D Design: Utilized Blender 3D to create a hero coral adorned with neon plant life, illuminated with hues of pink and cyan, along with secondary corals including a trophy, crystals, and a jellyfish named Squee.
2. User Interaction & Frontend Design:
   • Motion Design: Translated the coral narrative into a dynamic digital experience by incorporating lifelike movements that mimic an underwater floating sensation, enhancing user engagement.
   • Interactive Elements: Implemented responsive typography and interactive corals that react to mouse movements, creating an immersive user experience.
3. Social Media Integration:
   • Asset Development: Developed a range of post-ready static and video assets for CSSDA judges and winners to facilitate sharing across social channels, amplifying reach and engagement.

Conclusion

The collaboration between WONDR and CSSDA resulted in a unique and engaging digital platform that effectively showcased the world's best digital designs. The project not only enhanced user engagement but also played a significant role in inspiring and growing the global digital design community.

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📊 Enhanced User Engagement

The immersive design and interactive elements led to increased user interaction and time spent on the site.

🚀 Community Growth

The social media strategy contributed to inspiring hundreds of thousands of digital creatives globally, aiding in the growth of the digital design industry.

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