Hello, this is Lake and Moon Design.
In this post, we’d like to share a case study of a “tourism information website” we created for a certain temple, a project we joined as part of the team through an agency.
For this project, we handled everything from design and coding to the implementation of a static website designed with post-launch maintainability in mind.
A key feature of this project is that the website is linked to the “tourism brochures” distributed on-site.
We also made a point of ensuring we could consistently support the project—from experience design through implementation—even in cases where the agency or client was unable to finalize every detail of the design.
Complementing the brochure’s information and enhancing the experience
Tourism brochures are a highly reliable medium that remain in the hands of people who have actually visited the location or picked one up at a tourist information center.
However, the space available in a brochure is limited, and there are constraints when it comes to conveying information that involves the “passage of time,” such as video or audio.
In designing this website, we focused on how to utilize video and other elements unique to the web while maintaining compatibility with the brochure.
“People learn about a place from the brochure and then come to love it through the website. That’s the kind of seamless handoff we wanted to create.”
If the brochure serves as the “trigger,” then the website is the place that provides the deeper sense of satisfaction that follows.
By clearly defining these respective roles, we aimed to create a smooth flow from print to digital, and ultimately to a return visit to the destination.
Visual Organization to Put Video in the Spotlight
When composing the design, my primary focus was on “subtracting information.”
The YouTube videos that the temple has carefully accumulated over many years possess an overwhelming “dynamic” energy that photos and text alone cannot fully convey.
I deliberately excluded decorative graphics and complex animations, opting instead for simple animations and generous white space. This white space is not merely empty space; it serves as a “background” to highlight the tranquil atmosphere of the site conveyed by the video, and as a “path” to naturally guide the viewer’s gaze toward the scenery, which is the main focus.
When asked, “Why is this space necessary here?” we derive the rationale by working backward from the atmosphere of the location itself.
This is the design philosophy that Lake and Moon Design holds dear.
Built as a static website designed for use while traveling
From an implementation standpoint, we have chosen to build this as a static site that does not rely on a system.
There is a clear reason for this, derived from actual usage scenarios.
Tourists often check information on their smartphones while holding a brochure in one hand.
Even while on the move or in areas with unstable signal reception, they should be able to quickly and effortlessly find the information they need without any stress.
“Pages load instantly while traveling. Sometimes, that simple act is the best form of hospitality.”
The fast response times and light load unique to static sites are not merely a technical choice, but a consideration born from our pursuit of convenience for travelers.
Summary: Connecting Media and Accurately Conveying Appeal
Through this project, we were reminded of the importance of deeply understanding the role each medium plays and connecting them through technology.
From the tactile experience of holding a brochure to the dynamic experience of the web, and finally to the real-world action of actually visiting the temple. Within this sequence of events, we provide a “reason” backed by logical justification through design and implementation.
Accurately transferring the inherent charm of that place into the vessel of the web. I hope that this kind of “meaningful creation” will help foster new encounters with visitors.
- I want to create a website that works in tandem with brochures and other print materials
- Are you wondering how best to showcase the appeal of tourism or your region on the web?
In such cases, we may be able to provide comprehensive support from design through implementation. Please feel free to reach out, even for a brief consultation.