I was asked to concept a temporary digital presence in order to build anticipation and buzz for the launch of a new media source, with a mission to reignite independent journalism and investigative reporting. “With several of the best investigative journalists working in the industry today, we are not only squarely focused on accountability, we are also reinventing the way news is gathered and delivered online.”

In a crowded media space where many companies today are accountable to advertisers, owners, or outside interests, this new media source aims to separate itself from the rest of the pack and bring back a style of journalism that garners respect, trust and restores integrity to investigative journalism.

To support this new company’s alternative approach to reporting, news delivery and the practice of journalism, I was asked to create a digital experience that was a departure from the typical news sources we’ve become accustomed to. Specifically, I was tasked with striking a balance between a site that could manage close to the volume of content on par with most major news sources, however with a more personable tone and the approachability of a blog-based format.

The examples below demonstrate two visual directions that have subtle differences mostly in site functionality.

Life Afterlife is a conceptual project that I have been developing over the years, modestly intended to be executed on a scale as grand as that of a Christo piece, but unlike a Christo, this piece would be far more permanent.

The original germination of the idea actually occurred to me while in flight, looking out the window just days after watching episode 9 of the final season of Six Feet Under. Specifically, the discussion of how the body of Peter Krause's character Nate, should be buried. This led to a series of thoughts around the question of the "finality" of our inevitable demise and whether that removal of individual humanity that we all must face, could not also be a contribution on the behalf of humanity at the same time.

What follows are some initial ideas, thoughts, questions and challenges that I'm working through to try to solidify the details around a project of this scale.