client
A Life In The Desert
Services
web design & development
The “A Life In the Desert” website design and development project began with a request from the producers of the documentary film to create a digital platform serving two primary purposes: acting as a hub for educational resources and providing a space for crowdfunding while the film remained in production. Centered on the story of explorer, historian, and wilderness activist Steve Allen and his advocacy for public lands in Southern Utah, the site was envisioned to support the film’s mission of educating audiences about land protection and inspiring action.
The Approach
I enhanced the branding throughout the site by weaving textures, colors, and typography together to impart a feeling of being the desert. We wanted to build excitement behind the project so we utilized a lot of the rich photography and illustrative elements used for the film itself. The sub font here is meant to evoke a southwest vibe and create a contrast to the rough primary font. We used high contrast oranges and deep purples to mimic desert sunsets and leaned heavily on grainy overlays to tie everything together.
The Result
The result is a visually immersive and functional digital home that successfully bridges the gap between storytelling and action. By utilizing desert-inspired textures and rich photography, the design fosters deep engagement, while the streamlined architecture clearly supports the dual objectives of crowdfunding for production and mobilizing advocacy for America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act. The platform now acts as a central engine for the film’s mission, effectively converting visitor interest into tangible support, partnership connections, and community mobilization.
