Au Naturel

I designed Au Naturel as a quiet photography gallery built around images I genuinely loved. At the time, I was really drawn to photography that captured people in their rawest, most honest state, and I wanted the interface to give that work room to breathe.

I had a list of photographers whose work kept catching my attention. I followed them closely across Instagram and Patreon, saved the images that stayed with me, and eventually decided to build a collection of my favorites from them.

As a designer, the project became an exercise in curation as much as interface design: how do I present sensitive, expressive photography without making the UI feel louder than the work?

Intent

The goal was not to build a traditional gallery, but to create a space where the images could be experienced with intention. It needed to feel personal, but still composed.

Rather than adding interface elements, I focused on removing them, allowing composition, light, and form to define the experience. This was not the place for UI gymnastics.

Design System

I built the layout around controlled asymmetry. Images vary in size and placement, creating a visual rhythm that guides the user naturally through the page.

• Irregular grid structure
• Large negative space
• Muted typography
• Custom reactive cursor
• Dark, neutral palette

This approach shifts focus away from the interface and toward the content itself.

Interaction

Interaction is subtle and intentional. I avoided abrupt transitions, favoring smooth, continuous motion. The goal was guidance, not “look what my cursor can do.”

• Scroll-driven movement
• Hover-based focus feedback
• Soft transitions between states
• Minimal UI interruption

A custom cursor and hover states are used to guide attention without overwhelming the user.

Motion

Motion plays a key role in shaping the experience. I let elements move at slightly different speeds, creating a sense of depth and continuity.

The scroll behavior is designed to feel fluid and responsive, allowing users to move through the gallery at their own pace.

Outcome

The result is a quiet, immersive environment where design supports the work rather than competing with it. No shouting. No clutter. Just enough structure to make the experience feel considered.

Au Naturel demonstrates how restraint, motion, and structure can be used together to create a more considered digital experience.

Credits

Featuring selected works from photographers I was following and collecting from at the time.

Stack

• Vue.js
• TailwindCSS
• GSAP
• Locomotive Scroll
• SASS