Tajh Rust, an artist’s portfolio.
Overview
Tajh Rust is a visual artist based in New York. Through figuration and abstraction, he explores the relationships between black identity and space. Focusing on the user’s journey and experience through the site, it was important to create functionalities that allowed Tajh’s audience to see the intimate moments in his paintings.
Projects like these give me the freedom to push creative boundaries beyond corporate or institutional constraints, allowing space for true innovation and the opportunity to bring bold ideas—and dreams—to life.
tajhrust.com
Designed by Albert L. Hicks IV and myself for our joint studio Ayem.
1. Ideation
This project operated on a tight timeline, with a hard launch deadline to coincide with the artist’s exhibition. As part of a community of artists, we understood the importance of balancing aesthetic simplicity to let the work speak for itself with the practical needs of an artist’s portfolio. Beyond showcasing his art, Tajh needed a platform that could communicate his background, highlight press coverage, and attract potential buyers or galleries interested in exhibiting his work.
With these goals in mind, we focused on creating a clean, elegant site enhanced by thoughtful interactions. One of my favorite features is the magnifying glass on the landing page, allowing viewers to explore the fine details of his featured pieces—a subtle yet impactful tool designed for art enthusiasts who appreciate craftsmanship up close.
2. Mobile Experience
We aimed to optimize the mobile experience by allowing the artwork to take center stage while maintaining enough breathing room for a clean, elegant presentation. Knowing that both desktop and mobile experiences would be equally important for an artist’s portfolio, we designed the mobile view to feel like a refined exhibition cheat sheet—showcasing the works alongside key details like pricing. This approach not only created a visually appealing archive of the artist’s work but also made it effortless to browse by category or year, blending accessibility with aesthetic impact.
