A multi-page website for an international architecture forum in Kazan, built around large-scale typography, a dynamic grid, alternating light and dark sections, and graphic motifs inspired by the culture of Tatarstan.
Role
Web / UI Designer
Scope
Design concept development within the team, visual direction, UI design, and responsive layouts
Year / Market / Stage
2025 / International / Launched
Visit the website:
https://forum-kazanysh.ru/en
KAZANYSH
The final concept is built around large-scale typography, an unconventional grid, and expressive alternation between light and dark screens.
The website creates a strong sense of scale through oversized headings, generous negative space, asymmetric compositions, and shifted elements that reference the way architectural volumes are constructed.
A cool mint tone is part of the visual system and reinforces the project’s local cultural character. Together with fine linear patterns, it connects the contemporary interface with the visual heritage of Tatarstan.
The result is a modern international visual language that still maintains a clear connection to the place where the forum is held.
The website creates a strong sense of scale through oversized headings, generous negative space, asymmetric compositions, and shifted elements that reference the way architectural volumes are constructed.
A cool mint tone is part of the visual system and reinforces the project’s local cultural character. Together with fine linear patterns, it connects the contemporary interface with the visual heritage of Tatarstan.
The result is a modern international visual language that still maintains a clear connection to the place where the forum is held.
Visual Direction
Architectural Monumentality and a Distinct Local Identity
Kazanysh is an international architecture forum in Kazan that brings together architects, urban planners, experts, and representatives of the professional community.
The website needed to serve several purposes at once: introduce the forum and its key directions, present the programme and speakers, publish news and broadcasts, support the open call, provide a venue map, and organise practical information for visitors.
The main challenge was to create more than an informational resource — a complete multi-page website with a strong visual identity, capable of handling a large amount of diverse content within one coherent system.
The website needed to serve several purposes at once: introduce the forum and its key directions, present the programme and speakers, publish news and broadcasts, support the open call, provide a venue map, and organise practical information for visitors.
The main challenge was to create more than an informational resource — a complete multi-page website with a strong visual identity, capable of handling a large amount of diverse content within one coherent system.
Challenge
Bringing a Large International Forum into One Digital System
he project was developed by a team of three designers within a limited timeframe.
At the initial stage, each designer explored a separate visual direction. This allowed us to quickly test several interpretations of the forum’s character and select the strongest system.
The final concept brought together three key ideas:
architectural scale → typographic dynamics → the cultural context of Tatarstan
Once the direction was selected, the visual system was extended across the website’s main pages.
At the initial stage, each designer explored a separate visual direction. This allowed us to quickly test several interpretations of the forum’s character and select the strongest system.
The final concept brought together three key ideas:
architectural scale → typographic dynamics → the cultural context of Tatarstan
Once the direction was selected, the visual system was extended across the website’s main pages.
Concept Development
Several Visual Directions Within a Short Timeframe
Typography became one of the main tools shaping the website’s identity.
Large headings shift beyond the conventional grid, appear on different levels, and interact with negative space. This creates a sense of freedom and movement while keeping the interface structured rather than chaotic.
Fine linear patterns appear in the background, extending the graphics of the forum’s logo and referencing traditional Tatar ornamental motifs. They act as an additional visual layer, adding depth, connecting individual sections, and reinforcing the project’s local identity without relying on literal decorative references.
This way, the national context becomes part of the interface structure rather than an ornamental layer added on top.
Large headings shift beyond the conventional grid, appear on different levels, and interact with negative space. This creates a sense of freedom and movement while keeping the interface structured rather than chaotic.
Fine linear patterns appear in the background, extending the graphics of the forum’s logo and referencing traditional Tatar ornamental motifs. They act as an additional visual layer, adding depth, connecting individual sections, and reinforcing the project’s local identity without relying on literal decorative references.
This way, the national context becomes part of the interface structure rather than an ornamental layer added on top.
Typography, Grid & Local Motifs
Contemporary Graphics Rooted in Architecture and Local Context
The website includes a wide range of functionally different sections: the forum programme, speakers, news, broadcasts, open call, venue map, and informational pages.
Each content type required its own presentation logic, while all pages still needed to feel like parts of the same system.
The main unifying elements were:
Each content type required its own presentation logic, while all pages still needed to feel like parts of the same system.
The main unifying elements were:
- a consistent typographic hierarchy;
- a dynamic modular grid;
- alternating light and dark sections;
- a mint-toned palette;
- linear background patterns;
- a consistent approach to photography.
Multi-page System
One Visual Language for Different Types of Content
