HN
Robert Rivers Website Design
Digital Storytelling for Florida’s Contemporary Artist of the Year
Summary
I redesigned acclaimed artist Robert Rivers’ outdated website into a narrative-driven digital archive. The new platform honored his legacy while supporting galleries, curators, and collectors.
🤠 Role: UX/UI Designer
⏰ Timeline: 2 Weeks
📌 Client: Robert Rivers, Contemporary Artist & Professor
🧰 Tools: Figma · Photoshop · Competitive Audit
🪴 Team: Sole UX Designer
🌏 Deliverables: Branding Concepts · Animated Nameplate · Mobile & Desktop Wireframes · Visual Composites
Problem
- Old site was non-responsive, dark, and image-cramped
- Failed to represent decades of nationally recognized work
- No infrastructure for archiving or curatorial access
Solution
- Built narrative-driven architecture with thematic collections & timelines
- Integrated expressive typography and full-bleed visuals
- Designed mobile-first gallery optimized for curators and collectors
Wireframes for Mobile Layout
“When I was asked to redesign the site for my old professor, I knew the work had to honor both his legacy and the power of contemporary storytelling.”
Engagement
Site traffic and engagement increased within the first month
Artist Feature
A major arts publication embedded the new site in their artist feature
Conversion
Robert received new gallery inquiries and collector outreach via the updated contact form
Representation
He told me: “It finally looks like me.”
Discovery Process
- Comparative analysis of contemporary artist websites to identify patterns and missed opportunities
- Studied Rivers’ artistic themes—biblical imagery, myth, war, and history—for tone and layout inspiration
- Collected press clippings, past exhibition photos, and hundreds of his artworks from his studio
- Shot original photos of his studio to add human texture to the site
Testing + a Failed Concept
My first concept leaned heavily into minimalism and whitespace. While elegant, it flattened the emotional weight of his work.
Testing feedback:
- “This feels too polished for his subject matter.”
- “It doesn’t feel like him—too much design, not enough grit.”
Scrapped and rebuilt with a focus on expressive typography, full-bleed visuals, and a tone that matched his storytelling.
Reflection & Impact
Here’s what people are saying
“This was more than a redesign — it was an act of care for an artist whose work shaped me. I designed a site that could live as long as his legacy.”
Huong Nguyen, Former Student
More Projects
→
Case Review System
AI-assisted case review redesign improving accuracy, speed, and transparency in pharma validation.
View Case Study
Enterprise Dashboard
Modular KPI dashboards turning fragmented data into actionable insights for partner performance.
View Case Study
Healthcare Platform
Clarified 7 user roles and unified workflows to build a scalable, role-based specialty pharmacy platform.
View Case Study
Healthcare Design Systems
Scaled consistency across 6+ pharmacy products with a modular Figma + Storybook design system.
In Progress
Cat Bus
Designed a playful, accessible transit app simplifying wayfinding at crowded intersections.
View Case Study
Food Fight
Connected surplus food from restaurants to users, promoting sustainability and affordability.
View Case Study
HN
Robert Rivers Website Design
Digital Storytelling for Florida’s Contemporary Artist of the Year
Summary
I redesigned acclaimed artist Robert Rivers’ outdated website into a narrative-driven digital archive. The new platform honored his legacy while supporting galleries, curators, and collectors.
🤠 Role: UX/UI Designer
⏰ Timeline: 2 Weeks
📌 Client: Robert Rivers, Contemporary Artist & Professor
🧰 Tools: Figma · Photoshop · Competitive Audit
🪴 Team: Sole UX Designer
🌏 Deliverables: Branding Concepts · Animated Nameplate · Mobile & Desktop Wireframes · Visual Composites
Problem
- Old site was non-responsive, dark, and image-cramped
- Failed to represent decades of nationally recognized work
- No infrastructure for archiving or curatorial access
Solution
- Built narrative-driven architecture with thematic collections & timelines
- Integrated expressive typography and full-bleed visuals
- Designed mobile-first gallery optimized for curators and collectors
Wireframes for Mobile Layout
“When I was asked to redesign the site for my old professor, I knew the work had to honor both his legacy and the power of contemporary storytelling.”
Engagement
Site traffic and engagement increased within the first month
Artist Feature
A major arts publication embedded the new site in their artist feature
Conversion
Robert received new gallery inquiries and collector outreach via the updated contact form
Representation
He told me: “It finally looks like me.”
Discovery Process
- Comparative analysis of contemporary artist websites to identify patterns and missed opportunities
- Studied Rivers’ artistic themes—biblical imagery, myth, war, and history—for tone and layout inspiration
- Collected press clippings, past exhibition photos, and hundreds of his artworks from his studio
- Shot original photos of his studio to add human texture to the site
Testing + a Failed Concept
My first concept leaned heavily into minimalism and whitespace. While elegant, it flattened the emotional weight of his work.
Testing feedback:
- “This feels too polished for his subject matter.”
- “It doesn’t feel like him—too much design, not enough grit.”
Scrapped and rebuilt with a focus on expressive typography, full-bleed visuals, and a tone that matched his storytelling.
Reflection & Impact
Here’s what people are saying
“This was more than a redesign — it was an act of care for an artist whose work shaped me. I designed a site that could live as long as his legacy.”
Huong Nguyen, Former Student
More Projects
→
Case Review System
AI-assisted case review redesign improving accuracy, speed, and transparency in pharma validation.
View Case Study
Enterprise Dashboard
Modular KPI dashboards turning fragmented data into actionable insights for partner performance.
View Case Study
Healthcare Platform
Clarified 7 user roles and unified workflows to build a scalable, role-based specialty pharmacy platform.
View Case Study
Healthcare Design Systems
Scaled consistency across 6+ pharmacy products with a modular Figma + Storybook design system.
In Progress
Cat Bus
Designed a playful, accessible transit app simplifying wayfinding at crowded intersections.
View Case Study
Food Fight
Connected surplus food from restaurants to users, promoting sustainability and affordability.
View Case Study
HN
Robert Rivers Website Design
Digital Storytelling for Florida’s Contemporary Artist of the Year
Summary
I redesigned acclaimed artist Robert Rivers’ outdated website into a narrative-driven digital archive. The new platform honored his legacy while supporting galleries, curators, and collectors.
🤠 Role: UX/UI Designer
⏰ Timeline: 2 Weeks
📌 Client: Robert Rivers, Contemporary Artist & Professor
🧰 Tools: Figma · Photoshop · Competitive Audit
🪴 Team: Sole UX Designer
🌏 Deliverables: Branding Concepts · Animated Nameplate · Mobile & Desktop Wireframes · Visual Composites
Problem
- Old site was non-responsive, dark, and image-cramped
- Failed to represent decades of nationally recognized work
- No infrastructure for archiving or curatorial access
Solution
- Built narrative-driven architecture with thematic collections & timelines
- Integrated expressive typography and full-bleed visuals
- Designed mobile-first gallery optimized for curators and collectors
Wireframes for Mobile Layout
“When I was asked to redesign the site for my old professor, I knew the work had to honor both his legacy and the power of contemporary storytelling.”
Engagement
Site traffic and engagement increased within the first month
Artist Feature
A major arts publication embedded the new site in their artist feature
Conversion
Robert received new gallery inquiries and collector outreach via the updated contact form
Representation
He told me: “It finally looks like me.”
Discovery Process
- Comparative analysis of contemporary artist websites to identify patterns and missed opportunities
- Studied Rivers’ artistic themes—biblical imagery, myth, war, and history—for tone and layout inspiration
- Collected press clippings, past exhibition photos, and hundreds of his artworks from his studio
- Shot original photos of his studio to add human texture to the site
Testing + a Failed Concept
My first concept leaned heavily into minimalism and whitespace. While elegant, it flattened the emotional weight of his work.
Testing feedback:
- “This feels too polished for his subject matter.”
- “It doesn’t feel like him—too much design, not enough grit.”
Scrapped and rebuilt with a focus on expressive typography, full-bleed visuals, and a tone that matched his storytelling.
Reflection & Impact
Here’s what people are saying
“This was more than a redesign — it was an act of care for an artist whose work shaped me. I designed a site that could live as long as his legacy.”
Huong Nguyen, Former Student
More Projects
→
Case Review System
AI-assisted case review redesign improving accuracy, speed, and transparency in pharma validation.
View Case Study
Enterprise Dashboard
Modular KPI dashboards turning fragmented data into actionable insights for partner performance.
View Case Study
Healthcare Platform
Clarified 7 user roles and unified workflows to build a scalable, role-based specialty pharmacy platform.
View Case Study
Healthcare Design Systems
Scaled consistency across 6+ pharmacy products with a modular Figma + Storybook design system.
In Progress
Cat Bus
Designed a playful, accessible transit app simplifying wayfinding at crowded intersections.
View Case Study
Food Fight
Connected surplus food from restaurants to users, promoting sustainability and affordability.
View Case Study