Obsidian
A void-dark editorial site for a Cologne tattoo atelier that treats permanent ink as a magazine-worthy craft.
The concept
The brief. Obsidian wanted a website that felt as considered as the ink it produces — not a generic studio template with a price list. The atelier needed to show off its custom work, introduce its three resident artists and route serious clients into an enquiry-first booking flow rather than walk-ins.
The approach. We built a void-dark, editorial layout in near-black and oxblood with a fine film grain, pairing Cormorant Garamond display headlines against Space Mono labels for a magazine-meets-machine tension. A masonry photo gallery carries the portfolio, an oversized manifesto line anchors the studio’s “forever” ethos, and a scannable artist roster leads into a structured enquiry form.
Why it works. The restraint reads as confidence: high-contrast photography does the selling while the type system stays quiet and precise. Every section funnels toward a single, qualified enquiry path, so the site attracts the right clients instead of chasing volume.
A closer look at the details
Selected work gallery
A masonry grid lets every piece breathe at its own scale, so blackwork, fine line and portraits all read at full weight.
- Masonry photo grid
- High-contrast monochrome
- Lazy-loaded imagery
Manifesto statement
A single oversized line states the studio's ethos: a tattoo is forever, so the work is never rushed.
- Cormorant display type
- Generous negative space
- Oxblood accent kicker
Artist roster
Each artist is listed with their signature styles, turning the team into a clear, scannable directory.
- Named specialisms
- Hairline divider rows
- Space Mono labels
Desktop view
Scroll inside the frame to explore the full page ↑
On the phone
Every concept is designed mobile-first and adapts cleanly to every screen size.
Concept designs with fictional brands, created to showcase our design and engineering — not paid client projects. Photos via Pexels.