Baltic Archive
Creating an extensive archive of art and social history that truly invites exploration and discovery
When Baltic first approached us, it was clear we were embarking on a journey to transform how people interact with archives. As a longstanding partner who had previously crafted Baltic's main website, we understood the unique challenge of creating a digital platform that would not just display art, but truly invite exploration and discovery.
The Baltic Archive project was about more than just digitizing a collection. We were tasked with creating a digital gateway that would make an extensive collection of art accessible, intuitive, and inspiring. Our mission was to design a platform that could guide users through thousands of pieces of art, helping them discover hidden gems and explore creative connections they might never have found otherwise.
We developed three core journeys that would revolutionise how users interact with the archive. "Explore" is a curated experience, allowing the Baltic team to guide visitors through carefully selected collections. "Discover" emerged as a playground for curiosity, where users could scroll through themes and stumble upon unexpected artistic treasures. "Search" provided a powerful, advanced filtering system that would satisfy even the most specific art enthusiast.
The advanced search functionality was particularly innovative. We created a system that allows users to dive deep into the archive, filtering by multiple criteria, exploring cross-media collections, and uncovering connections between artworks that might have remained hidden in a traditional archive.
Throughout the process, we remained committed to maintaining the distinct identity of the Baltic Archive. The design needed to feel both part of the main Baltic website and uniquely its own - a delicate balance we carefully crafted to ensure a seamless yet distinctive user experience.
Our approach went beyond mere technical implementation. We saw this as an opportunity to make art more accessible and to break down the barriers that often make art archives feel intimidating or exclusive. By creating intuitive navigation and powerful search tools, we hoped to inspire more people to engage with art, to explore, to discover, and to be curious.
The result is a digital archive that does more than store art - it tells stories, creates connections, and invites exploration. Users can now dive into Baltic's rich collection with unprecedented ease, whether they're looking for a specific piece or simply hoping to be inspired.
For us, the Baltic Archive project represents more than a successful digital platform. It's a testament to our commitment to making art more accessible, more engaging, and more alive in the digital world.
Explore the magic: https://archive.baltic.art/
