Forged by fire
Project overview
Forged From Fire is an interactive storytelling website that revives the ancient art of Wootz knife making blending craftsmanship, history, and modern UX design.
Our goal was to preserve a dying artisanal process through immersive digital media combining 3D modeling, cinematic interviews, and scroll-based animations into an emotionally engaging web experience.
The project bridges traditional heritage and modern interaction design, transforming a centuries-old forge process into a visually rich, accessible narrative.
Final Project Logo Deigned below
Problem Statement
Traditional craft documentation often lacks emotional engagement. Existing knife-making websites focus on commerce, not culture they inform but fail to immerse.
Key Problems Identified:
- Lack of interactivity and narrative flow in craft-related websites
- Absence of emotional storytelling or sensory engagement
- Static, text-heavy presentations that fail to attract younger audiences
- Poor cross-device experience and visual hierarchy
Opportunity:
Create a digital tribute to craftsmanship, one that merges storytelling, UX design, and modern technology to make users feel the heat, rhythm, and artistry of Wootz steel.
Goals & Objectives
- Design an immersive, scroll-based website that narrates the Wootz forging journey.
- Blend 3D modeling, video, sound, and photography into one cohesive UX.
- Preserve the art of knife making using modern digital tools.
- Craft a responsive and accessible site that educates, moves, and inspires.
Research & Discovery
1. Literature & Benchmark Review
- Studied Mingei Project (EU cultural preservation) and digital heritage initiatives.
- Benchmarked immersive storytelling sites: Atmos by Leeroy, Digital Cover, 35mm One.
- Identified storytelling patterns: cinematic tone, dark interface, scroll-triggered visuals.
2. Primary Research
Conducted interviews with Andrei Petrocenco, a Wootz knife maker, exploring:
- His 9-step forging process
- Personal philosophies (“The knife chooses the user”)
- Emotional connection between maker and material
3. User Surveys
Targeted Reddit and Facebook craft communities (35+ responses).
Insights:
- High engagement with video and interactive 3D content
- Preference for scroll-based narrative over menus
- Strong emotional response to authentic, cinematic experiences
Primary Persona
Name: Zoë Martins
Age: 25
Occupation: Graphic Designer / DIY hobbyist
Goals:
- Learn about crafts through visual, interactive storytelling
- Explore design tools and materials in an intuitive way
Pain Points:
- Craft websites feel outdated and too technical
- Wants immersive, modern storytelling instead of static tutorials
Motivation:
“I want to feel the craft not just read about it.”
Information Architecture
The website was structured around the chronological forging process, designed as a linear narrative flow.
Sitemap Overview:
- Home – Cinematic hero with intro video and tagline
- The Process – Scroll-triggered forging journey with 3D and video
- Gallery – High-res visuals and behind-the-scenes photos
- About Andrei – Documentary interview
- Blog – Informative articles linking design, steel, and craft
- Creators Page – Academic and personal background
- Contact – Community outreach and collaboration
Design Approach
Visual Direction
Inspired by fire, metal, and memory.
A dark cinematic aesthetic contrasted with ember orange accents reflects the forge’s atmosphere.
Visual System:
- Color Palette: Charcoal black (#171717), Ember orange (#FF8C00), Steel blue (#4682B4), Off-white (#FFF2E4)
- Typography: Alumni Sans (clean + technical); Ethnocentric for video graphics
- UI Motifs: Smooth parallax scrolls, motion-triggered reveals, 3D hover states
Wireframing & Layout
- Initial sketches translated into digital wireframes in Figma
- Focused on linear storytelling with minimal navigation friction
- Mobile-first design tested early for performance and readability
3D Modeling & Animation
- Created five 3D knife models (Butcher, Chef’s, Folding, Peeling, Steak) in Blender
- Used UV unwrapping and baked textures from real knives
- Animations created for knife dropping, rotation, and throwing sequences
Motion Design
- Integrated GSAP + ScrollTrigger for parallax and scroll effects
- Scroll-based video playback simulates forging rhythm
- Added Lottie animations for sparks and ember transitions
Interactivity & Development
Stack:
- WordPress (Elementor Pro) – Core CMS + motion builder
- HTML / CSS / GSAP / JQuery / Lenis – Scroll interactivity
- Spline 3D – Knife rotation and dart-throwing game
- YouTube, Premiere Pro & CapCut – Hosting and editing media content
Core Features:
✅ Scroll-triggered storytelling
✅ 3D model interactivity (rotate, throw)
✅ Responsive design for desktop & mobile
✅ Accessibility: captions, alt text, motion toggles
Usability Testing
Tested with 10 users + feedback from Reddit communities.
Positive Findings:
- Scroll animations felt natural and “cinematic”
- 3D models encouraged interaction and curiosity
- Emotional voiceovers deepened user connection
Improvement Areas:
- Minor scroll lag on mobile
- Requested slower transitions and clearer CTAs
Outcome
Forged From Fire successfully delivers an immersive educational experience that merges heritage and technology.
Results:
- Seamless motion and storytelling through web interactivity
- Positive engagement from craft communities
- Balanced aesthetics and accessibility
- Proof-of-concept for heritage preservation via digital media
Impact
Forged From Fire redefines how we preserve craftsmanship not as an archive, but as a living, sensory narrative.
It proves that digital storytelling can honor heritage while embracing innovation.
“Some stories aren’t written on paper, they’re forged in flame, sweat, and steel.”
Watch Some videos created for the site
Reflection & learning
Throughout the creation of Forged From Fire, I learned that translating a physical craft into a digital experience requires an experiential approach to UX design. It’s not enough to simply show a process, the design must evoke the emotion, rhythm, and sensory depth of the craft itself. I discovered how motion design plays a crucial role in helping users understand complex physical actions while also deepening their emotional connection to the story. Additionally, I learned that simplicity and pacing are essential to maintaining engagement; every scroll and transition should feel deliberate, giving users space to absorb both the visuals and the meaning behind them.
Looking ahead, my next steps include developing a fully interactive 3D “Design Your Knife” configurator, allowing users to explore materials and forms hands-on. I also plan to introduce an AR version to simulate live workshop demonstrations, bringing users closer to the forging experience. Finally, I aim to collaborate with museums and artisan schools to expand the project’s educational impact and preserve traditional craftsmanship through immersive digital storytelling.
