Cinematic hero section concept for a next-gen e-book platform. Built using MidJourney for unique visual storytelling and Framer for high-end web implementation.
Horizon Reads: A Dreamlike E-book Marketplace Concept
Overview
Horizon Reads is a conceptual Hero Section for a next-generation e-book marketplace. Moving away from the traditional, cluttered interface of digital bookstores, this concept focuses on the emotional and transformative power of reading. The goal was to create an immersive, "dreamlike" entry point that invites users to treat knowledge as a grand adventure.
My Role
Visual Designer: Concept creation, art direction, and UI layout.
Framer Developer: Translating the high-fidelity visual concept into a web-ready hero section.
The Challenge
Most e-book platforms look like spreadsheets – they are functional but lack soul. The challenge here was to design a landing page that captures the feeling of getting lost in a story, while maintaining a modern, high-tech aesthetic (SaaS-style) that appeals to modern digital readers.
The Solution: Metaphorical Visual Storytelling
I designed a hero section that uses magical realism to bridge the gap between physical books and digital horizons.
Key Design Elements:
Cinematic Visuals: The central image of a paper boat sailing out of a moss-covered book serves as a powerful metaphor for the "new horizons" that knowledge provides.
Elegant Typography: I chose a sophisticated serif typeface for the headline to evoke a sense of tradition and authority, balanced with a clean sans-serif for navigation.
Glassmorphism & Depth: The navigation bar and the primary CTA ("Start your adventure") utilize glassmorphic effects, adding a layer of modern transparency and depth that complements the dark, atmospheric background.
Dreamlike Atmosphere: A deep, midnight-blue palette combined with soft spotlighting creates a focused, premium environment that minimizes distractions and emphasizes the core message.
The Result
A high-impact, visual-first hero section that functions as a brand statement. This concept demonstrates how storytelling-driven UI can significantly increase user engagement and brand perception in the competitive digital publishing space.
Original background image generated with MidJourney ⛵
Downloadable file:
Background hero section Horizon Reads.png
Behind the scenes look in Framer
Menu asset in Framer
Tech Stack
Framer: For web implementation and layout.
AI-Driven Art Direction: I utilized Midjourney to generate the core metaphorical imagery. By crafting precise prompts, I achieved a "magical realism" aesthetic that perfectly aligns with the brand’s vision of discovery, ensuring a 100% unique visual asset that stands out from generic stock photography.