John Bellany

In Autumn 2023, I had the opportunity to work on an fantastic project - the creation of a website dedicated to the Scottish artist John Bellany. Commissioned by a local art collector, this website was not only envisioned as a digital gallery but also as an engaging platform for both art enthusiasts and collectors. Launched in November 2023, it stands as a testament to Bellany's profound impact on contemporary art.

The client, a passionate collector of Bellany's work, approached me in October 2023 with a clear vision: to create a website that serves as a comprehensive resource on John Bellany. Their aim was to cultivate a space that not only facilitates the sale of Bellany's art but also builds a community around his legacy.

John Bellany's artwork, deeply entrenched in his Scottish roots, narrates the human experience through a lens blending the real and surreal. His works are an exploration of life's dualities - hope and despair, tempest and tranquility. It was crucial that the website encapsulated this essence.

I chose the Squarespace e-commerce platform for its seamless integration with Stripe, ensuring a smooth transactional experience. The website features multiple informative pages about Bellany’s life and art, a News & Blog section for ongoing updates, a contact form for easy communication, and a mailing list sign-up to foster community engagement.

Web Design Approach

The core of my web design approach for the John Bellany art website was to create an online space that truly reflected the essence of Bellany’s art. To achieve this, I carefully analysed his artworks to understand and extract the predominant colour palette used by the artist. This study informed my design decisions, allowing me to craft a website aesthetic that was harmonious with Bellany’s art style, without overshadowing the artwork itself. The use of these colours created a visual coherence throughout the site, providing visitors with an immersive experience.

A critical aspect of the design was the creation of a custom vector logo. This logo was crafted based on John Bellany’s signature, serving as a unique, recognisable emblem for the website. Its incorporation not only personalised the site but also created a direct visual connection to the artist, enhancing the authenticity of the platform.

Furthermore, the website layout was strategically designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing. Attention was given to the placement of images and text, ensuring that each piece of Bellany’s art was showcased prominently and informatively. I ensured that the website was responsive, providing an optimal viewing experience across various devices, an essential factor in modern web design.

SEO Strategy and Implementation

For the SEO aspect of the project, a thorough keyword research process was undertaken prior to the development of the website. This involved identifying key terms and phrases that potential visitors might use when searching for information related to John Bellany and his artworks. I used advanced SEO tools and techniques to gather data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and related search terms.

Armed with this information, I strategically structured the website’s content and metadata to align with these identified keywords. This included optimising headings, titles, meta descriptions, and alt texts with relevant keywords, ensuring that they were naturally integrated into the content.

Beyond basic on-page SEO tactics, I also focused on creating high-quality, engaging content for the website. The News & Blog section was particularly crucial in this regard. By regularly updating this section with relevant and informative articles, I not only provided value to visitors but also created fresh content that search engines favour, aiding in better ranking.

Additionally, I ensured that the website’s technical SEO aspects were meticulously addressed. This included optimising site speed, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and securing the site with HTTPS. These technical elements are crucial in providing a positive user experience and are highly valued by search engines.

Fast SEO Results

The SEO efforts paid off remarkably quickly after the website’s launch. I observed a significant improvement in the website’s ranking for important keywords related to John Bellany and his artwork. This early success in search engine rankings is a testament to the effectiveness of my comprehensive SEO strategy, combining thorough keyword research, content optimisation, and technical SEO.

Outcome and Reflection

The website has become a pivotal resource for Bellany enthusiasts and collectors. It's gratifying to see how swiftly it gained traction in search engine rankings, reflecting the effectiveness of my SEO strategy. Personally, this project was not only a professional accomplishment but also an enriching journey into Bellany's world, deepening my appreciation for his art.

The John Bellany art website stands as a successful fusion of art, technology, and commerce. It's a digital homage to Bellany’s legacy, and a platform that connects art lovers and collectors. This project highlights my ability to create websites that are not only functional and visually appealing but also deeply resonate with the subject matter they represent.