OBJECTIVE

Design and develop a website for photographer James Rice to create a clean, easy-to-manage platform for showcasing his portfolio, sharing updates, and selling books online.

SCOPE: Information Architecture, Content Revisions, Copywriting, UI Design, UX Design, Graphic Design

OUTCOME

Within the first 7 days, the site generated 522 visits and 412 unique users, demonstrating strong initial engagement.

James Rice now has a clean, professional website that showcases his work while supporting his ongoing projects and product sales. The platform balances simplicity on the front end with powerful functionality behind the scenes, allowing him to manage everything in one place. The strong initial traffic at launch reflects both interest in his work and the effectiveness of the site’s structure and design. The result is a scalable, easy-to-use platform that will grow alongside his portfolio and future releases.

  • Clean Portfolio Focus: Designed to let the work speak for itself without unnecessary distractions.

  • Custom Ecommerce Solution: Integrated multiple print-on-demand vendors into one seamless experience.

  • Strong Launch Engagement: 522 visits and 412 unique users in the first week.

  • Built for Independence: Squarespace platform and training allow for easy ongoing updates.

  • Balanced Complexity: Simple front-end experience supported by a more advanced backend system.

Overview

We partnered with James to build a minimal, content-first website that highlights his photography while supporting his growing body of work. By combining clear structure with thoughtful design, we created a platform that makes it easy for visitors to explore portfolios, stay updated through news, and purchase books. A key focus was integrating a seamless ecommerce experience despite a complex backend involving multiple print-on-demand vendors.

The final system allows James to manage everything from one place while maintaining a smooth front-end experience for users. Within the first 7 days, the site generated 522 visits and 412 unique users, demonstrating strong initial engagement.

Process & Workflow

Strategy & Information Architecture

  • Worked with James to define key needs:

    • Showcase portfolio work

    • Share updates, outings, and releases

    • Sell books directly through the site

  • Built a streamlined structure with core sections:

    • Portfolio

    • News

    • Storefront

  • Focused on simplicity to keep the experience clean and visually driven.

Copywriting & Content Development

  • Developed clear, minimal copy to support the visual nature of the site.

  • Ensured content complemented the photography without overpowering it.

  • Structured messaging to guide users naturally between viewing work, reading updates, and making purchases.

Design & Development

  • Designed a custom Squarespace theme aligned with James’ brand direction.

  • Focused on:

    • Clean layouts

    • Strong image presentation

    • Seamless navigation

  • Built a responsive experience that works across all devices while keeping the focus on the work itself.

Ecommerce Integration

  • Developed a custom ecommerce setup to support multiple print-on-demand vendors:

    • Integrated vendor APIs with the Squarespace storefront

    • Created a unified front-end experience for users

    • Managed a more complex backend system behind the scenes

  • Ensured customers could browse and purchase books without friction.

Training & Handoff

  • Provided hands-on training for James:

    • Updating portfolio images

    • Posting news and updates

    • Managing store inventory and orders

  • Ensured he could confidently maintain and grow the site independently.

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