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What Does Gatsby Mean in Website Design?

The term “Gatsby” in website design often evokes images of opulent, highly stylized websites—think roaring twenties glamour meets modern technology. While visually stunning, this aesthetic often overshadows the crucial question: does it actually *work*? At The Company, we believe in cutting through the noise and focusing on what delivers measurable results. Our Zero Noise Marketing philosophy prioritizes sustainable systems over fleeting trends, ensuring your website is not just beautiful but also effective in achieving your business goals.

Many agencies focus on creating visually impressive websites, neglecting the underlying strategy and functionality. This “Gatsby-esque” approach often prioritizes aesthetics over user experience, SEO optimization, and conversion rates. The result? A beautiful website that fails to generate leads or drive sales. We’ve seen this firsthand in our 20+ years of experience working with businesses across diverse industries.

Our 3+1 Blueprint Framework provides a systematic alternative:

  • Assess: We begin by conducting a thorough gap analysis, identifying inefficiencies and missed opportunities within your existing online presence. This includes a comprehensive review of your website’s performance, SEO, and user experience.
  • Strategize: We develop a tailored approach aligned with your specific goals, resources, and budget. This strategy focuses on building a website that serves your business objectives, not just meets aesthetic preferences.
  • Execute: Implementation is precise and systematic, leveraging proven methodologies and best practices. We focus on building owned, not rented, solutions to ensure long-term control and sustainability.
  • +1 Optimize: Continuous monitoring, refinement, and enhancement are crucial for compound growth. We track key metrics to ensure your website consistently delivers results.

Instead of chasing the latest design trends, we focus on building websites that are:

  • User-centric: Designed to provide a seamless and intuitive experience for your target audience.
  • SEO-optimized: Built to rank highly in search engine results, driving organic traffic to your site.
  • Conversion-focused: Strategically designed to guide visitors towards desired actions, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.
  • Measurable: Equipped with analytics tracking to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.

For example, we recently worked with a B2B client struggling with a complex sales cycle. Their previous website, while visually appealing, lacked the functionality to effectively nurture leads and guide prospects through the sales funnel. By implementing our Zero Noise Marketing approach, we redesigned their website to incorporate lead nurturing tools, case studies, and clear calls to action. The result? A significant increase in qualified leads and a measurable improvement in conversion rates.

We believe in leveraging technology to enhance, not replace, human authenticity. AI and automation play a role in our process, but they are always used to support human insight and strategic decision-making. Our commitment to community economic development ensures we support local businesses and contribute to the growth of our community.

For help with designing a website that delivers measurable results and avoids the pitfalls of fleeting trends, give us a call at 613-777-5001.

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“The Bride”.  A an example of an experimental, or concept album project from 2022.  Painted in acrylic. (Private collection)

Building Confidence Through Language: A Guide for the Collector

One of the biggest barriers for aspiring art collectors is not a lack of taste, but a lack of confident language. People know what they are drawn to, but they often struggle to articulate the ‘why’ behind their emotional connection. Providing them with a basic vocabulary can be transformative.

By explaining core artistic concepts, we can bridge this gap. An artist’s newsletter or a gallery brochure could break down:

  • The Architecture of Composition: How lines and shapes lead the eye and create a focal point.
  • The Emotional Weight of a Color Palette: Why a limited, muted palette feels different from a vibrant, high-contrast one.
  • The Role of Value in Creating Depth: How the interplay of light and shadow builds a believable world.

It’s like being given a phrasebook in a foreign country; suddenly, you can navigate and connect with more assurance. Consider Edward Hopper, whose stylized realism simplifies scenes to their emotional core. Understanding this allows a collector to explain why the work feels so dreamlike and memorable. This knowledge doesn’t replace the emotional response; it validates it.

The Dialogue Between Feeling and Form

Great art speaks to us on two levels: the immediate, gut-level emotional reaction and the deeper intellectual appreciation. You might feel the perpetual warmth and light in a Monet, which immerses the viewer in the sensory experience of a moment. Conversely, you might sense the rugged, stoic soul of the landscape in a piece by Canada’s Group of Seven, which evokes a feeling of profound solitude.

These feelings are universal, but the ability to discuss why we feel them builds a stronger connection. From a marketing perspective, this education slots perfectly into the buyer’s journey. During the “comparison” phase, an artist who also educates their audience is building a relationship of trust and authority, making the final “decision” more likely.

Conclusion: A Bridge of Shared Understanding

Art, in its purest form, is an act of communication. Whether through the calculated narrative of a storyteller or the freeform expression of a poet, the artist extends an invitation to the viewer. By providing the language to understand this invitation, we empower collectors to move beyond simple preference and into the realm of true appreciation. It transforms a simple transaction into a meaningful connection, where the viewer doesn’t just own a piece of art—they become part of its ongoing story.


About the Author

Jaeson Tanner is a Marketing Thinker at Zero Noise Marketing and a narrative artist once in a blue moon. You can see his work on Instagram at @jaeson_tanner.