Behind the Scenes: Designing the Parthenon Film Festival
Overview
The Parthenon Film Festival is a celebration of cinematic artistry inspired by the grandeur of Greek mythology. Drawing from the tales and personas of the Greek gods, this unique film festival brings ancient themes to contemporary storytelling.
Goal
The project aimed to create a digital platform that enhances the audience's experience by providing essential tools for engagement, convenience, and participation. Our objective was to bridge ancient mythological inspiration with modern functionality, delivering an app and website that reflect the creative spirit of the Parthenon Film Festival.
Skills
Web Design
UI/UX
Design Decisions
To optimize user experience, I integrated the following features into the app:
Film List with Day Filter: Users can explore a list of films organized by festival days, simplifying navigation and planning.
Ticket Purchasing: A built-in ticketing system ensures a hassle-free booking process for attendees.
Voting System: Inspired by the Virginia Film Festival's voting system, this feature encourages audience interaction and empowers users to vote for their favorite films.
Festival Map: The map feature provides directions and insights into the festival layout, enhancing accessibility.
Merchandise Page: Festival-themed merchandise is showcased, enabling users to browse and shop within the app.
These decisions were driven by the need to create an intuitive and immersive experience that caters to attendees' diverse needs while reflecting the festival's thematic inspiration.
Challenges
Our group's significant challenge was ensuring that our individual contributions felt cohesive as part of a larger project. With each team member focusing on different aspects, it was essential to maintain consistent visual and functional design across all components. Regular communication, collaborative brainstorming, and iterative reviews were critical in aligning our work and achieving a unified product that felt seamless and comprehensive.
Brand Identity
The brand identity was led by Andre Majette, whose design skills were instrumental in shaping the convention's visual direction. Majette directed the color palette, typography, and overall visual language, establishing a cohesive tone that became the foundational core of the entire project. His work influenced every design element, ensuring a unified and impactful aesthetic that defined the event and contributed to its success.
Motion Graphics
The aspect of this project that Vaughn Davis took the lead on was the motion graphics, where he was responsible for adding visual dynamism and cohesion. He worked with the branding guidelines developed by collaborator Andre Majette, ensuring the motion design aligned with and enhanced the established brand identity. By integrating Andre's color palette, typography, and visual style, Vaughn created a seamless, engaging experience that remained true to the brand.
Conclusion
The Parthenon Film Festival project was a rewarding opportunity to combine my passion for storytelling and design. By focusing on user experience, I created an app that fosters engagement, celebrates the festival's unique theme, and provides a comprehensive digital companion for attendees. Collaborating with my team was an enriching experience, allowing us to learn how to integrate diverse ideas into a cohesive and professional product. This project enhanced my skills in both technical design and teamwork, setting a strong foundation for future collaborative efforts.