THE CHALLENGE

Hanko, a picturesque city surrounded by the Baltic Sea and renowned for its sandy beaches, is a favorite destination during the summer months. But as the seasons change and the crowds thin, winter presents a unique challenge—for the city and the local entrepreneurs who depend on tourism.

The city of Hanko needed a website that would inspire visitors to experience the charm of Hanko year-round. The goal was to showcase not just the beauty of the landscape but also the vibrant local services—restaurants, hotels, tour guides, and more—that make Hanko a destination worth visiting in every season.

THE APPROACH

In our initial workshop with the client, we explored their vision for the website’s structure and visual identity. It became clear that inspiration was key—Hanko’s website needed to captivate and engage users in the same way as their favorite travel content on platforms like Instagram. The future of travel inspiration is intensely visual, driven by photography and intuitive navigation. Rather than resisting this trend, we embraced it.

The website was designed as a seamless, image-led experience. Users can browse stunning visuals, read short captions, and click (or tap) on what sparks their curiosity. Thematic journeys guide users through Hanko’s offerings, all leading to service-oriented pages—whether that’s a list of cozy cafés, boutique hotels, or winter activities. Importantly, there’s no single path; multiple routes allow users to discover the same content organically, creating a dynamic and exploratory feel.

The visual design builds on Hanko’s existing branding but was refined for the digital medium. The color palette was pared down to two sunny hues, evoking warmth and light, while the typography paired a nostalgic Art Deco-inspired headline font with a clean, understated grotesque for balance. This cohesive, visually driven approach sets the site apart from typical tourism websites, making the experience as inspiring as the destination itself.

THE OUTCOME

The new website for Hanko redefines how the city presents itself to visitors, offering an experience as dynamic and inviting as the destination itself. By combining stunning imagery with intuitive navigation that inspires exploration, the site captures the essence of Hanko across all seasons.

The thematic journeys and visually focused design enhance user engagement, making it seamless and enjoyable to discover local services such as restaurants, hotels, and guided tours. This fluid browsing experience encourages curiosity, guiding users to uncover all that Hanko has to offer in a natural and inspiring way.

The visual identity builds on Hanko's established strengths, blending sunny hues, nostalgic typography, and modern design principles into a cohesive and engaging digital presence. Most importantly, the new website invites users to experience Hanko year-round, helping the city and its local entrepreneurs better connect with their audience year-round.