Katie approached me two weeks before the release of their debut narrative nonfiction book, seeking a much-needed upgrade to their outdated Squarespace 7.0 website—originally built over eight years ago. I quickly migrated all existing content, transitioned the site to a modern Squarespace 7.1 template, and implemented custom HTML and CSS to enhance the site's visual appeal and performance.

Beyond just the technical upgrade, I helped shape a refreshed brand identity that reflected the themes of their new work. As a queer, sex-positive author writing about intimacy after sexual assault, Katie needed a space that was both professional and approachable—one that honored the sensitivity of their subject while also embracing their bold, empowering voice. The final site balances clean structure with vibrant, expressive design elements that feel personal, affirming, and forward-thinking.

The original design featured excessive white space and was cluttered with dense blocks of text, lacking clear breaks or engaging visual elements to guide the reader. At the time, Katie had limited visual assets to include, which contributed to a static and uninspired feel. Additionally, the oversized images on the homepage and about page dominated the screen, pushing key information below the fold and requiring unnecessary scrolling. Overall, the design felt flat and outdated—far from the vibrant, impactful presence needed to support their book launch.

The redesign of Katie’s website centered around the launch of their upcoming book, Tell Me What You Like. To create a cohesive visual identity, we incorporated key elements from the book throughout the site — including the cover’s color palette, the display font used for Katie’s name, and the internal book typeface as the site’s body text. We also highlighted select insights and testimonials to help readers connect with the book’s themes and impact. To reduce visual fatigue and enhance engagement, I added imagery pulled from Katie’s published writing, breaking up large blocks of text and adding depth to the site experience. The final result is a bold, professional, and queer-forward website that reflects Katie’s voice as a journalist and author. We successfully launched the redesign just days ahead of the book’s release.