Opportunities/Challenges

Dark Slope had a website, but it didn’t reflect who they were—or where they were going. The website didn’t accurately reflect the level of sophistication present in Dark Slope’s work nor the state of the art facility being unveiled. Paper Crane helped them to show off their space, equipment and expertise in a highly visual format that helped them to present themselves as a leader in North American media production.

Working with a tight timeline to match the studio’s launch, Paper Crane designed an experience that reflected the immersive nature of Dark Slope’s product by focusing on a highly visual, media rich website balanced with performance and usability.

The Solution

We approached the website as an extension of the Dark Slope experience. Their work is captivating, premium and on the leading edge of technology. We worked closely with their team to ensure the site was an embodiment of the visually rich experience Dark Slope is known for. We focused on encouraging the user to explore while accurately informing them of the options for studio rental and capabilities. This resulted in a build that left a memorable mark.

Part of creating this solution, included:

• Webflow Build: Gave the team flexibility and ease of management moving forward as well as design-forward capabilities
• 3D Elements & Motion: Used dynamic interactions and 3D visuals to echo their tech-forward identity
• Media Optimization: Incorporated a variety of video and image assets without sacrificing load times
• Intuitive Structure: Organized content logically so users could easily explore productions, technology, and space offerings
• Modular CMS: Created a structure to easily manage and add new projects or studio features as they grow
• Creative Freedom: Avoided traditional, conversion-focused layouts in favor of a design system that celebrated innovation

Results/Outcomes

Quantitative Results

• Metrics to be added once available, but early indicators include:
• Dramatically reduced bounce rate post-launch
• Increased time-on-site and user engagement with interactive elements
• Streamlined backend management of assets and content

Qualitative Results

• Elevated brand perception as a premium, forward-thinking production partner
• A stronger narrative around the value and uniqueness of the Dark Slope studio
• Positive internal feedback from staff and collaborators who now feel the site finally “feels like us”

Conclusion/Key Takeaways

This wasn’t just a redesign—it was a reinvention.

By building a site that matched the creativity and complexity of Dark Slope’s offering, we helped them take their place as a leader in immersive media production. The project proved that when your product is an experience, your website should be one too.

This project was successful because we aligned deeply with the client's vision and audience and embraced flexibility and playfulness while staying grounded in UX. This resulted in a platform that can scale with the studio's future.