Design Philosophy
The Hvar Island website design captures the beauty of this Croatian destination through balanced visual storytelling and user-friendly navigation. The design reflects Hvar's unique blend of Venetian architecture, lavender-filled hills, and crystal-clear waters.
Rather than following standard tourism website templates, I created a design that mirrors Hvar's own aesthetic: clean, timeless, and naturally beautiful without being excessive. The layout prioritizes minimalism, vibrant and harmonious colors, clean typography. The overall design connects authentically to Hvar's character, making the website feel genuinely representative of the destination.
Color Palette
The color palette draws from Hvar's natural surroundings: blues from the Adriatic Sea, coral tones inspired by island sunsets, and greens and purples reflecting the lavender fields and Mediterranean plants. Neutral colors ensure everything remains easy to read and well-organized throughout the site.
Adriatic Blue
Primary Color
Coral Sunset
Secondary Color
Island Green
Accent Color
Lavender Field
Accent Purple
Coastal Turquoise
Turquoise
Typography
The typography uses Playfair Display for headings and Raleway for body text. Playfair Display adds a touch of elegance that hints at Hvar's history, while Raleway keeps the content easy to read with a relaxed feel that matches the island's atmosphere.
Playfair Display (Headings)
Discover Hvar!
Raleway (Body Text)
Croatia's sunniest island awaits your visit.
Layout and Visual Elements
The website uses a clear visual structure with large hero images at the top of each page to create an immediate sense of place. Content appears in card modules with subtle animations and soft shadows that add depth without being distracting.
Images are balanced for both visual impact and fast loading times. Strategic white space around content improves readability while echoing Hvar's open landscapes. The navigation stays in place as users scroll, making it easy to access different sections while keeping the design clean and focused on showcasing the destination.
Content Strategy
The content highlights real experiences - the scent of lavender, relaxing at harbor cafés, and finding secluded beaches loved by locals. By focusing on these authentic moments rather than typical tourist spots, the website creates a more personal connection. Brief, descriptive text leaves room for visitors to imagine themselves experiencing Hvar like locals rather than tourists.
Citations
- Content created based on research from various travel resources including Croatia's official tourism website and Lonely Planet's Hvar Island guide.
- Color palette developed using Mediterranean coastal imagery and the natural colors of Hvar's landscape, refined through Coolors.co for harmonious combinations.
- Typography: Playfair Display and Raleway from Google Fonts.
- User experience patterns adapted from contemporary travel website best practices, with emphasis on mobile-first design and intuitive navigation.