Developing KOTAverse as a commemoration for KOTA's decade-long journey
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In an exciting leap forward for web design, the KOTA Design Agency has unveiled its latest creation - the KOTAverse, a standalone microsite that offers an immersive, interactive journey through the agency's history and current state.
Built using cutting-edge web technology, the KOTAverse was inspired by the WebGL component called Blob Mixer and the portfolio of Cyd Stumpel, a creative Web Developer based in the Netherlands. The design team, including Matt, Margo, Nicola, and James Piper, aimed to create a unique and engaging experience for visitors.
The timeline in the KOTAverse does not consist of traditional HTML elements; every pixel is calculated on a canvas element. This approach allows for a more dynamic and responsive design, enhancing the user's experience.
The KOTAverse features five content types, or 'elements', that represent the agency's current identity. Each element is represented by a 3D shape using the agency's brand colours. The fifth element, 'Our Team', is considered the most important, showcasing the 15 talented individuals who currently make up the KOTA Design Agency team.
To make the KOTAverse highly interactive, the development team calculated if the mouse is overlaying a certain pixel. This allows for elements to become interactive when the user hovers over them.
The cards shown when you "Go deeper" in the KOTAverse were created using plain CSS 3D animations. These animations add a touch of elegance and smoothness to the user's journey through the microsite.
Virtual scrolling in the KOTAverse is made smoother with Lenis, while Greensock's GSAP library was used to add similar easings to the (dis)appearance of elements.
The 'Who We Are Now' section of the KOTAverse is contained within the KOTAverse orb and offers an immersive, in-depth exploration of the agency's current identity and ethos.
The animated blob in the background of the KOTAverse responds to the scroll direction and speed, adding a dynamic element to the user's journey.
In 2023, the agency decided to celebrate its 10-year anniversary with an updated website and a separate microsite, called the KOTAverse. Cyd Stumpel was contacted to develop the KOTAverse microsite, showcasing their creative Web Development skills.
The KOTAverse was built using Three.js, a library for creating intricate 3D worlds. This choice of technology allows for the creation of a truly unique and engaging user experience.
The KOTAverse is now live and accessible to the public. To explore the KOTAverse, visit www.kotaverse.com. For more information about Cyd Stumpel, visit cystumpel.nl.
The KOTA Design Agency continues to push the boundaries of web design, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and creativity. The KOTAverse is a testament to this commitment and a must-visit for anyone interested in the future of web design.
