Because I’m a trained visual artist and designer, as well as a website designer, I particularly enjoy working on websites for creative people and businesses, so I thoroughly enjoyed working with Frank McKenzie, son of celebrated Scottish photographer Joseph McKenzie, to design and build a website for a new gallery dedicated to his father’s work in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England.
Joseph McKenzie (1929–2015) was a British photographer known as the ‘father of modern Scottish photography’. His social documentary work captures Scottish lives and communities, often against a backdrop of urban decay and redevelopment.
I particularly enjoyed discovering his collection Gorbals Children, inspired by the paintings of the same subject by Scottish artist Joan Eardley.
My job was to create a website that would introduce visitors to his work, showcase the photographic collections and provide practical information about visiting the gallery.
A considered approach to website design
As an artist myself, I understand how important it is to present creative work in a way that does it justice. A website needs to be more than a place to display images: the typography and colour scheme, as well as the layout and navigation, all contribute to how visitors experience the work.
For the Joseph McKenzie Gallery website, I developed the visual style and selected the typography, creating a design that allows the photography to take centre stage. I organised the photographic collections to make the work easy to explore, and handled the technical build to bring the finished design to life.
My aim was to create a website that felt appropriate to the gallery and its subject, while remaining clear, accessible and straightforward to navigate.
Web design for artists and creative businesses
Working with artists, photographers and other creative people is something I particularly enjoy. Through my own creative practice, and my experience co-running Studio Faire, an international artist and writer residency in southwest France, I’ve developed a strong appreciation for the different ways people make, present and share their work.
Every project is unique. I enjoy getting to know the person or organisation behind a website, understanding what they want to communicate and translating that into a considered visual design and practical, working website that will be simple for the client to update themselves in the future.
Whether you’re an artist, maker or writer wanting to showcase your portfolio, a photographer building an online presence, a gallery promoting its exhibitions, or a creative society looking for a website that reflects your identity, I can help you bring your ideas together online.
Explore the finished website
You can visit the Joseph McKenzie Gallery website to explore a selection of his photographs and find out more about the gallery.
If you’re looking for a web designer who understands the creative process and can help you present your work with clarity and character, please do get in touch to discuss your project.
