Building the KOTAverse to commemorate a decade of KOTA
In 2023, the KOTA design agency, established 10 years ago, decided to celebrate its milestone with an updated website and a standalone microsite called the KOTAverse. This innovative project was developed by a female developer, although her specific name is not mentioned in the search results.
The KOTAverse was developed using Three.js, a library for creating intricate 3D worlds. The design team, which includes Matt, Margo, Nicola, and the original author, was inspired by the portfolio of Cyd Stumpel, a creative Web Developer based in the Netherlands. They collaborated with Cyd on the development of the KOTAverse.
The requirements for the KOTAverse included being highly interactive, using cutting-edge web technology, having a big and bold design, showcasing the agency's history, and showing where they are now. To achieve this, Lenis was used for the virtual scrolling, making the scroll feel smoother, while Greensock's GSAP library was used to add similar easings to the (dis)appearance of elements in the KOTAverse.
The KOTAverse is a unique experience, with an interactive dynamic visual timeline at its core. Each event in the timeline can be clicked on, inviting users to delve deeper and explore more about each significant moment. The timeline was built using Three.js, adding to the immersive nature of the KOTAverse.
One of the most intriguing features of the KOTAverse is the 'Who We Are Now' section. This section features five content types that the agency is most proud of and finds interesting to share. Margo suggested that these content types be represented as 'elements' with the fifth element, Our team, being the most important. Each element is represented by a 3D shape using the agency's brand colours.
Another interesting feature is the depiction of the team members as Top Trump cards in the KOTAverse. Nicola had this idea, adding a playful touch to the microsite. The cards shown when "Going deeper" in the KOTAverse were created using 'plain' CSS 3D animations.
The 'Who We Are Now' section is contained within the KOTAverse orb (the signature blob) and offers an immersive, in-depth exploration of the agency's current identity and ethos. James, the Creative Director at KOTA, expressed happiness with the final outcome of the KOTAverse project.
As of 2024, the agency has a team of 15 talented individuals. The KOTAverse is live and can be accessed at its designated URL. The design team is considering a concept where the user can drag around exploring these elements in the KOTAverse. This would provide an even more interactive and immersive experience for users.
The KOTAverse is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the KOTA design agency. It showcases their history, their current identity, and their ethos in a unique and engaging way. Whether you're a fan of the agency or just interested in exploring a cutting-edge 3D world, the KOTAverse is definitely worth a visit.
