How Diorama Transforms Websites into Award-Winning Experiences
- Miodrag Canovic
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
In the world of digital design, certain websites rise above the rest and earn recognition at international awards. One such project comes from Diorama, the visionary studio that blends storytelling, architecture, and technology. Their bold approach recently earned them the Site of the Month Award at Vice Awards — a showcase of how immersive design can redefine online experiences.
Founded in 2016 by architects Gilberto Bonelli and Gianni Vesentini, Diorama operates out of Milan, Paris, and Krakow, but their reach is global. Known for crafting visionary universes and immersive experiences, Diorama’s work blends artistic direction with cutting-edge technology. Their expertise spans design and creative direction, digital production, communication, immersive installations, branding, and technical production support.
Inside Diorama’s Award-Winning Vision – An Interview with Alberto Pellegrin (Diorama)
What inspired you to create this project?
Our goal was to go beyond a simple showcase website and create an immersive experience, a digital hub that could authentically and engagingly express our identity. We wanted Diorama to be not just visited, but lived. It had to be both an aesthetic statement and a research exercise into the possibilities of digital language.
What was your main goal when starting the design?
We wanted to create something new and distinctive, bringing the 3D world, so central to who we are, directly into the code. Our aim was to show design as an ecosystem where creativity, technology, and storytelling merge, giving as much value to the experience as to the content itself.
How would you describe your design process?
It was an iterative and multidisciplinary process. We alternated phases of visual and conceptual research with rapid prototyping, continuously gathering and integrating feedback to balance aesthetics, usability, and performance.
What was your biggest UX challenge and how did you solve it?
The main challenge was maintaining an experimental interface without compromising clarity of navigation. We solved this through micro-interactions and progressive pathways that guide the user naturally throughout the experience.
Which UI detail are you most proud of?
That we were able to create a digital environment that fully represents us: a container-space that reflects our aesthetic and communicates our vision in every detail.
How did you bring creativity into the project?
We searched for a different kind of language, transforming the site into a place to explore rather than just an informational tool. This way, users don’t simply learn about Diorama, they can experience it directly.
What was the most difficult technical aspect to implement?
Ensuring high performance despite the richness of visual content and 3D animations. We optimised rendering and asynchronous loading to guarantee fluidity even on less powerful devices. Another key challenge was integrating the backend to allow us to update and expand content quickly.
How did you approach SEO and performance optimization?
We worked on two fronts: a solid technical structure with clean code and search-optimized content, and speed optimization through progressive loading and reducing the weight of images and 3D models.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
We wouldn’t change anything: the project reflects exactly what we set out to create. Looking ahead, however, we’d love to expand the site, adding more digital spaces and immersive environments to explore.
About VICE Awards
How did you feel about the scoring (UX, UI, Creativity, SEO)?
We felt the scoring was fair and well-balanced, reflecting the holistic nature of digital design today. It’s encouraging to see awards that value not only aesthetic and creative innovation, but also usability, performance, and SEO: the often invisible aspects that are crucial to the user experience.
What does winning the Site of the Month Award mean to you?
It’s a great recognition of our vision and effort. For us, it validates the idea that a website can be more than a functional tool, as it can become a living, evolving environment. Winning Site of the Month motivates us to continue experimenting with digital languages and pushing the boundaries of what a website can be.
What advice would you give to other designers who want to submit their work?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and show your unique perspective. Awards are not just about technical perfection, but about authenticity and creativity. Focus on what makes your project stand out. Whether it’s a design detail, an innovative approach, or the story you’re telling. Most importantly, make sure the experience feels alive and true to who you are.
Explore the Project
Final Thoughts
The story of Diorama highlights what makes award-winning websites so powerful: the ability to transform a website into a living, breathing experience. By merging creativity, technology, and storytelling, Diorama sets a benchmark for what the future of digital design can be.
Ready to showcase your creativity?
Submit your website today and join the next wave of innovators at VICE Awards.
