WordPress Portfolio Website @ Obie Platon

Person holding a smartphone displaying the Obie Platon website. The screen showcases the 'MINDTRICKS' exhibition page, featuring a black-and-white portrait of a person covering part of their face. Exhibition dates (15 December 2022 – 31 January 2023) are displayed along with a 'View Exhibition' link. Social media icons for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are visible at the bottom, along with a 'Let's keep in touch' link. The website has a sleek, modern, and minimalist design.

16 November 2024

WordPress Portfolio Website @ Obie Platon

Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).

What makes a portfolio website truly stand out? Is it the design, the functionality, or the way it tells a story?

For Obie Platon, one of Romania’s most celebrated contemporary artists, the challenge was to create a digital space to present his artwork to collectors, galleries, and fans, while reflecting his unique style and creative vision.

This exciting project was initiated through a collaboration with Digital Boost Romania resulting in a stunning, user-friendly website that perfectly captures the essence of Obie’s artistic identity.

Brief:

Design and build a WordPress website within six weeks to showcase Obie Platon’s artwork in preparation for his next exhibition and boost engagement by 20% within the first three months.

Research:

Before diving in, I spent days deep in research. I analysed some of the best portfolio websites out there, picked apart their navigation strategies, and experimented with tools to optimise performance for visual-heavy content.

But what really shaped this project were my discussions with Obie.

He shared his vision and philosophy, and I listened because understanding his art was key to building something that truly represented him.

Design:

The design phase centred on crafting a visual language that resonates with Obie’s distinctive style. Key elements included:

Colour palette with neutral tones to amplify the vibrancy of his artworks.

Sleek typography, modern fonts that complement rather than compete with the visuals.

Adaptive layout structures, making sure that every visitor, whether on desktop or mobile, would feel immersed.

Animated GIF of the Obie Platon website displayed on a sleek desktop screen. The screen showcases the 'MINDTRICKS' exhibition page, featuring a dark, artistic visual with a close-up of a face partially covered by fabric. The text includes exhibition dates (15 December 2022 – 31 January 2023) and links to view the exhibition, as well as social media icons for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The setting includes a modern workspace with a minimalist design, enhancing the artistic and professional feel of the presentation.

Wireframes:

Wireframes provided the blueprint for the site’s structure. They focused on usability and flow, prioritising:

A captivating homepage featuring his exhibitions and news.
A portfolio section organised for effortless exploration.
An accessible contact page for inquiries from collectors and galleries.

By focusing on clarity and functionality, the wireframes laid the groundwork for a polished and intuitive website.

Development:

WordPress was the natural choice for this project because of its flexibility and scalability.

I customised a theme to reflect Obie’s bold aesthetic and integrated plugins to manage galleries and improve SEO.

The responsive design was a priority, ensuring that the website looked and worked perfectly on all devices.

It wasn’t just about building a site, it was about crafting an experience that felt as dynamic as Obie’s art.

Key Features:

The completed website showcases several standout features designed to improve the user experience:

High-resolution galleries.

Each piece is shown in stunning detail without compromising performance.

Storytelling.

Contextual descriptions add depth and help the audience connect with the art.

Mobile-first design.

I made sure the experience is just as powerful on a phone as it is on a large screen.

Custom animations.

Subtle effects bring the site to life, complementing the artistic vibe.

Challenges:

Every project comes with its hurdles, and this was no exception.

Managing large image files while keeping the site fast was a real balancing act. Designing a site that highlighted Obie’s art without overpowering it was another challenge.

And then there was the backend, it had to be flexible enough for easy updates while staying true to the design.

Each challenge was addressed through strategic planning and collaborative problem-solving, resulting in a robust and visually compelling website.

Results:

Visitors are spending 22% more time on the site compared to the previous version, showing higher engagement.
The bounce rate dropped to 31%, down from 47%, which shows that the navigation and flow are spot on.
On average, users are now exploring 5 pages per session, a massive leap from just 2 previously.
Online enquiries increased by 17%.
Organic search traffic saw a 63% boost, thanks to the optimisation efforts.

Takeaways:

Looking back, this project taught me a lot about how powerful collaboration and a clear vision can be.

A great website is where aesthetics and functionality meet, it’s not one or the other.

Research and planning make all the difference in creating something truly user-focused.

Storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the heart of meaningful engagement.

Working on Obie Platon’s portfolio website was an incredible experience. It wasn’t just about building a website, it was about telling a story, creating connections, and showcasing art in a way that truly resonates.

Skills:

Recommendation:

Codrin’s digital wizardry is something else, he took my requests, my ideas, and my chaotic feedback and turned them into a website so slick I almost want to claim I made it myself.