Art Bridges is one of our proudest achievements, and we’re excited to share how it has earned recognition from some of the most prestigious platforms, including Awwwards, The FWA, and the CSS Design Awards. These accolades reflect the creativity, hard work, and passion that went into making the project truly special.
But beyond the awards, what made Art Bridges stand out?
Through the lens of Dmitry Tsolik and Aleksandr Ratasep, our two awesome Design Leads, we uncover the processes, challenges, and creative decisions that shaped the Art Bridges website.
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This “artwork first” mindset influenced every design detail, from layout choices to the user interface. The goal was clear: to ensure that the artwork would always be the focal point while still helping the foundation achieve its goals.
It was one of the reasons why Awwwards highlighted Art Bridges for its cutting-edge design and seamless user experience. We even got an Honorable nomination!
Known for setting high standards in the industry, Awwwards praised the balance we achieved between modern artistry and accessibility. The project brings together visual design and functionality in a way that feels both beautiful and intuitive. It’s a true reflection of our team’s commitment to creating designs that are as accessible as they are visually striking.
Typography: More Than Just Fonts
Selecting the right typography was another critical decision in the design process. The team chose a combination of serif and sans-serif fonts to create contrast and harmony. Aleksandr explains,
The result is a pair of beautiful fonts that serve a functional purpose: they make the site easy to read while maintaining a sense of sophistication. This was a deliberate choice to ensure the content didn’t compete with the art but complemented it.
One of the recognitions came from the CSS Design Awards, which celebrated Art Bridges for its user-centric design and its focus on accessibility.
We’ve always believed that great design isn’t just about looking good — it’s about making sure everyone can interact with it. The CSS Design Awards highlighted how our design choices allowed the website to not only be visually captivating but also functional and inclusive.
Balancing Beauty with Purpose
One of the most important goals was to create a design that didn’t just showcase art but also communicated the foundation’s mission.
From the start, we knew that the website had to be a tool for the foundation’s programs. We structured the content to help visitors easily navigate through the site and learn about Art Bridges’ work — whether they were looking to rent artwork, organize an exhibition, or explore the collection.
Aleksandr Ratasep (Design Director)
“The balance between aesthetics and functionality was key.” We needed to build trust and engagement with users. The gallery, in particular, had to be immersive, while the program pages had to provide clear, actionable steps,” Aleksandr says. Thoughtful content distribution ensured that users could easily find the information they needed without feeling overwhelmed.
Homepage That Feels Like a Gallery
One site feature that stands out particularly loves is the homepage slider, which showcases the artwork from the start.
We wanted visitors to feel like they were walking into a gallery. As soon as they land on the site, they are immersed in the art.
