The Challenge
Experience Columbia, SC underwent a website redesign aimed at highlighting the city's vibrant arts, music, and culture. Key goals included creating a fresh, modern look, increasing user engagement, and encouraging trip bookings. The redesign also focused on showcasing events in new ways without relying on photos and finding a fresh approach to presenting blog content.
Project Details
Services: Website Design
Team: Project Manager, Art Director, Lead Developer
Role: Designer
Awards
2023 dotCOMM Awards, Travel Website - Gold
2023 Davey Awards, Tourism Website - Gold
The Solution
After visiting Columbia and immersing myself in its vibrant art and music scene, I returned home feeling inspired to redesign the site. To capture the creative essence of the city, I incorporated a subtle paint brush texture throughout the design. To give the brand a fresh look I added a new font - Nitti Typewriter. This font gives off a vintage, classic, and slightly retro vibe, reminiscent of old-school typewriters.
I paired high-quality illustrations with complementary design elements to enhance user engagement. To draw more attention to bookings, I added a bold, vibrant call-to-action in the site header. Additionally, I created a custom widget to showcase events, eliminating the need for event photography while maintaining a dynamic and visually appealing presentation.
Desktop Homepage Design
Mobile Homepage Design
