As creator of an artist website, you are simultaneously author and architect. This course is for artists and designers who want to create a site to host their work, and for those who are interested in considering the website as a work in itself. This course will explore the design of artists’ websites, from curatorial approaches (Indexhibits) to net art and interactive experiences. Each week will include guest artists and guest critics such as Luiza Dale, Camila Galaz, Ryan Woodring, and Steph Zimmerman to help you improve yout current portfolio and connect professionally.

Whether they act as digital white cubes or considered part of the work itself, artist websites reflect how artists work and engage with the public, while also revealing underlying sensibilities. Design decisions can hint at an artist’s approach to visibility, control, and connection, making the website another layer of the creative process and a unique form of publishing.

Participants will explore different approaches to information architecture, consider how contemporary art is presented in online spaces, sketch their website’s wireframe, and receive feedback from professional designers. Each week features a guest critics to help students improve their portfolio and connect professionally, as we ask together, what could an artist’s website be

Tools:

• Figma, a free, browser-based design tool
  

You’ll leave this class with:

• A website designed in Figma
• Feedback from professional designers to help refine your layout and flow
• A resource guide to help you bring your site online
• A guide to exporting your design to platforms like Squarespace, Cargo, or WordPress
• A step-by-step walkthrough of how to:
  • Code your site using HTML/CSS
  • Buy a domain
  • Set up hosting and publish your site

• Create a basic website framework.
• Learn about various approaches of information architecture.
• Gain perspectives to designing artist websites, including curatorial, net art, and interactive methods.
• Leave with a plan to publish their website live (building, coding, hosting).

Week 1 – Introduction and Historical Context

Explore the evolution of artist sites, analyze key examples, discuss the various functions of artist websites: archiving, promotion, curation, begin gathering references websites. Guest artist: Luiza Dale.

Week 2 – Form is Meaning

Examine different website structures and audience engagement. Begin sketching websites. Guest critic: Camila Galaz from Structured Knowledge.

Week 3 – Apply Design Principles

Focus on visual hierarchy. Explore accessibility and new technologies like blockchain. Finalize sketches for feedback.

Week 4 – Final Crits and Plan Future Development

Present website sketches for critique (guest critics: Ryan Woodring and Steph Zimmerman). Discuss website building and hosting resources. Conclude with plans for continuing development.

My website is a shifting house ... by Laurel Schwulst

Sophie Auger is an artist, designer, and educator. She works in web and printed publication, video installation, collaborative hacking, and alternative photographic techniques. Sophie is an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts and has previously taught at Parsons, the University of Pennsylvania, and Rutgers University.

Index scholarships are designed to benefit underrepresented groups, BIPOC members of our community, and those for whom the class price is not accessible. These need-based scholarships will go to the candidates who best demonstrate why they should be chosen for the free spot to our class based on the following criteria:

• Belong to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the graphic design and creative industries
• Do not have jobs that would pay for these courses as professional development
• Cannot independently afford the class at list price
• Share our value of intentional community

The number of selected applicants chosen is subject to the discretion of Index and the instructor, but every course will select at least one. Apply for a scholarship here. Applications close July 1st.

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