Russell Design

Challenge
In the wake of the disaster at the World Trade Center, a group of families of some victims banded together to open a small storefront they call the Tribute Center. Changing exhibits honor the victims and the survivors featuring personal stories with high emotional content. Our challenge was to share these stories in a powerful way online with a larger audience.

Solution
Our team was immediately moved by those stories and by the sincerity and dedication of the client team. For budgetary and timing purposes, the project has developed in stages. The site is full of faces of real people with their own words in text and audio. It feels authentic because it truly is.

The small physical area of the Center necessitates a short life for most exhibits. The website provides a way to keep them in front of the public. Mini-sites recreate and preserve the well-curated displays in words, sound and images, including photographs and video. A message board was needed as a means to schedule volunteers. An online store was developed. With its compelling content, the site has become an effective vehicle for fundraising, and also ensure, that these stories continue to be told.

An opening sequence with sound establishes a strong emotional tone for the site.

The harrowing events of 9/11 are summarized in a timeline.

A minisite recreates one of the museum’s temporary exhibits.

Many visitors to the Tribute Center leave moving commentary on their visits.

The site provides a effective way to elicit and facilitate donations.