M Studio approached MSLK to do the one thing they couldn’t do themselves: devise a website design that would show off their skills as developers, while carefully controlling the experience of viewing their dazzling portfolio.
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1. CHALLENGE
M Studio, an emerging website and application programming studio, was looking to create a new web presence showcasing its work. This would be challenging, as most of a programmer's work is behind the scenes—and when done correctly—something that shouldn't even be noticed. The site would need to clearly demonstrate the intricacies that M Studio brought to each project. An even larger challenge was in showcasing each site without posting outbound links which drive visitors away from the presentation and fragment their focus.
2. STRATEGY
MSLK's strategy was to create a memorable web experience. This experience alone would stand as a testament to what M Studio brought to the table. Our solution was to turn the notion of a traditional website on its head, exposing the normally hidden digital pages of a website and captivating visitors with a deceptively simple, elegant experience.
3. DESIGN
Each page of the website was designed to be a sheet in a three-dimensional stack of pages. The pages fluttered, reacting to the movement of the mouse, and flipped down to open once selected. Within the portfolio, animated vignettes highlight key features of M Studio's work. These vignettes allowed users to experience each website and its technology without having to visit another site and potentially become distracted. Adding to the beauty and intrigue, the stack utilizes a gradient of color and transparency. This transparency was picked up in the M Studio logo, which also symbolizes the partnerships and team synergy M Studio has with its design partners.
4. SUCCESS
MSLK's design solution proved to be a breakthrough in web design and years later continues to serve as an inspiration for other designers and programmers. Our solution has been honored with an FWA Award, Webby Award, and has also been cited for its excellence in navigation in Taschen's Guidelines for Online Success.
