Niké Vopalecká
Musical Artist Squarespace Website
Niké is a talented singer, songwriter, and arranger on a mission to write music that brings you a piece of home.
Did you notice we have the same last name? Well, Niké is one of my amazing sister-in-laws! And she was just a dream to work with. Not only is her musical work brilliant, but she is dedicated, professional and just kind human.
Project Scope⟡ 5-Page Multilingual Squarespace Website
⟡ Languages: English & Czech
⟡ Lite Branding: Typography & Color Palette
In collaboration with Niké, I had the joy of designing a 5-page Squarespace website that showcases her debut album and dynamic portfolio as a singer, songwriter, arranger, and artist.
If you are longing for music with powerful storytelling, bold harmonic choices and honest vocal delivery (her voice, gosh, her voice!), then you may just love Niké’s album, “Another Garden”.
The Challenge
Niké was looking to refresh her website in connection to her new album release and to resonate with who she has become as a professional in her field of music. We moved her website from Wordpress to Squarespace since Niké wanted to feel confident to make updates herself (and Squarespace makes it easy to do).
Niké’s Website Vision
Niké was inspired by other websites that were clean, simple, organized but with a good vibe.
One of the main goals was to showcase her new album but also create a space for her dynamic portfolio. As her body of work ebbs and flows, her website needs to allow her to adapt and shift her content easily on the site.
Website feeling/vibe: Cozy (but in a professional way) / Not cluttered / Open / Accessible, you can just walk in and feel welcomed / Addictive!
Key Steps We Took
We had several strategy calls to clarify the website goal/s and which one to focus on.
We designed a clear website visitor journey that people would first be invited to experience her new album and then have the opportunity to view her portfolio, learn more about her, or sign up for her newsletter
From the offset, Niké had a general idea for color palette and typography but we refined it together using the branding questionnaire, Pinterest inspirations, and her new album’s branding.
NIKé VOPALECKÁ“Working with Catherine on my website was just phenomenal.
She is so kind, organized, communicates well and goes above and beyond. I really appreciated her attention to detail and all the resources she provided up front and all throughout the process which helped me ask myself the right questions and understand what I'm really looking for in my website.
Making or renewing a website has always been a very stressful process in the past. With Catherine, the process was so fun, well-paced, creative and focused on what matters. She is a fantastic guide.
I also appreciate Catherine's understanding and flexibility when certain preferences or plans change, she was always down to experiment, talk through ideas, provide great advice as well as keeping me accountable to my original vision and purpose. She is very calm and so easy to work with. I would recommend a 100%!”
My favorite part of the website design journey
What I enjoyed most about working with Niké is how we collaborated. I would bring a suggestion and she would run with it (or not!) and make it her own.
It’s always a joy to work with another creative. It was especially inspiring to talk through how to make the visitor experience feel more personalized and special–like adding the album booklet or changing the text to first person. (Creating amazing experiences for website visitors makes me just love my work even more.)
Plus, I got to listen to the debut album while I was designing. Talk about a muse.
I’m cheering for you, Niké! May your music bring people a piece of home, just as you have for me.
Final thoughts & an invitation
This project reminded me that an artist website doesn't have to do what's always been done–which is usually to focus solely on the artist and portfolio of work.
What if we flipped the script a bit, and let the website create an experience for the fans, collaborators, and potential clients? What if we shifted the spotlight from the artist to the reader and truly connect with people and invite them to experience our work?
| Ready to transform your creative work into a website that feels as inviting and professional as you are? Let's explore how we can showcase your work in a way that truly connects with your audience.
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I walk into the room / dim with only a small light / revealing a piano, a woman / in starlight
for a moment / her eyes meet mine / I feel her kindness / harmonized with might
the music begins / she moves the keys / pure, bright
I close my eyes / breathing deep / listening
slowly / her voice rising / revealing new mercies / from the depths of night / with movement of soul / she carries mine / upward to the light
the push and pull / the paradoxes / that make her –
live bright in a world / that is not her home / fighting for the ones / who are not her own
the earth is harsh / but look!
she whispers / a calling, a glimmer / light
the push and pull / the paradoxes / that make her –
hope in the dark / her voice of song / is calling us to flight / towards the true light / and to fight for / morning
each syllable leaning / towards the rhythm / of grace / following the victorious beat / exulting eternal glory / not her own
the push and pull / the paradoxes / that make her –
a warrior queen / gentle in strength
sunshine in the dark / dreamer in daylight
I see this dreamer / with a piano and mic / her hands helping us belong / her soul creating a song / her voice telling us / stay strong!
the push and pull / the paradoxes / that make her –
a dreamer of today / of tomorrow
I listen / breathe deep / open my eyes
her smile meets mine / as she collects her notes / in the twinkle of light
before she begins / again