Based in Los Angeles, Upgrade empowers agencies, brands, and technology companies with tailored go-to-market strategies, leveraging innovation and efficiency to drive sustainable growth in today’s competitive digital landscape.
Client
upgrade
My role
web design
location
los angeles
I designed a phased website launch in collaboration with BX Studio, starting with a teaser site and evolving into the full design. The client wanted the website to feel nostalgic, evoking the early days of the internet, so I explored two styles: 90s Microsoft and early 2010s Apple. The client loved both, which led to the idea of launching the teaser in the 90s Microsoft style and then “upgrading” it to the polished, modern feel of Apple.
part 01
Teaser website
The teaser was inspired by late 90s Microsoft, packed with references to that era—pixelated icons, a cloud background that struggles to load, and a design full of familiar Microsoft details. It captured the quirky, nostalgic feel of the early internet.
part 02
Website
The full website was designed as an evolution, inspired by Apple’s 2010s design style. Clean, refined, and carefully crafted, it adapted elements from apps like Keynote, Finder, and the old iTunes Store to fit Upgrade’s brand. As a playful touch, there's a hidden feature: the red “Downgrade” folder links back to the 90s Microsoft-style teaser.
