Chicago Symphony
Art Direction, Web Design, UI/UX, Design Language Systems
Agency
Material+
I worked alongside Creative Director Mike Park to redesign the Chicago Symphony Orchestra website (cso.org). The project followed a full rebrand that included updates to the logo, typography, color system, photography, and layout principles. Ultimately, the website became the first real-world expression of this new identity.
Our task was to translate the refreshed brand into a functional digital experience. Along the way, we had to identify exactly where the new visual system needed to flex or evolve once applied at scale. Working with a small team and a constrained budget, we prioritized efficiency and clarity. We established a core set of foundational templates designed to easily expand into a broader design language system for the entire site.
Early in the engagement, we conducted a detailed review of Google Analytics and Hotjar data alongside a landscape audit of peer institutions. This surfaced behavioral patterns, content friction points, and opportunities that informed both structure and prioritization.
Many of the interactive moments were designed and prototyped in Figma to clarify intent early and ensure alignment across design and development.
Results
We delivered the project with a small, highly efficient team of four, allowing us to stay focused, move quickly, and maintain profitability for Material throughout the engagement. The client is highly satisfied with the outcome and the clarity it brings to their evolving digital presence.
We are currently working closely with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra team and their development partners to guide implementation. With the site set to launch soon, our focus is on maintaining consistency across all pages. To support this, we developed an extensive design language system (seen just above) to streamline execution and ensure the final build stays perfectly aligned with our original vision.
[Site still in development URL coming soon]