Kris Marubayashi
Kris Marubayashi is a contemporary ceramic artist.
Website Redesign
Project Overview
Project Type: Redesign, Portfolio Website
Role: Web Designer & Developer
Tools: Figma, WordPress
I redesigned Kris’ portfolio website to create a more modern, visually engaging space for her work. The focus was on improving navigation, elevating the presentation of her ceramics, and giving her a site that feels more aligned with her artistic identity. The goal of this project was to redesign the website so it can better showcase her portfolio and reflect the character of her handmade work.
The Challenge
The original website felt outdated, difficult to navigate, and didn’t highlight the artistic quality of her pieces. The main challenge was to create a digital space that felt as personal, warm, and tactile as her ceramics. We reviewed the existing site structure together, streamlining it down to only what mattered most to her audience.
The Process
A Collaborative Journey
I believe that for an artist, a website redesign isn’t just a technical task—it’s an act of translation. My process with Kris was rooted in active listening and a deep respect for her creative legacy.
To get a better understanding of Kris’ process, I spoke with her about her artistic workflow, the materials she uses, and how she wants viewers to experience her work online. One key aspect of the redesign was creating clean, intuitive navigation so users could focus on her artwork without distractions.
We looked at a decade of work and grouped it into meaningful “Series.” We moved away from a year-by-year list and toward a narrative of her artistic evolution, gallery type view.
I opted for a dark layout inspired by the original website to ensure that the art pieces truly stand out. Given that many of the ceramics feature earth tones, a deep neutral gray was the ideal choice, complemented by a vibrant orange-terracotta accent color.
The Outcome
Final Result
Related Projects
Startup: My Rental Spot
Role
UI/UX Designer / Design Lead / Product Manager
Contribution
Led a team of five to design a high-fidelity platform extension. I established a centralized UI style guide to ensure consistency and streamline the team’s workflow, while personally designing the mission-critical login and signup flows to optimize user onboarding.
Chef Jon Lee Redesign
Role
Web Designer / Developer / Brand Strategist
Contribution
Created the brand identity of Chef Jon Lee website.