Website for Crime Fiction Novelist Elin Falk

Web design for an author tablet mockup
This project was created as a fictional author website for Elin Falk’s debut novel Det som sjön gömmer. The aim was to design a cinematic and atmospheric digital experience that reflects the mystery, emotion, and stillness of the story. The website is built to feel immersive and narrative-driven, where visuals, motion, and typography work together to pull the user into the world of the book.

Challenge

Elin Falk – Det som sjön gömmer is a fictional author website concept created to showcase my ability to design atmospheric, narrative-driven web experiences for literary and storytelling brands. The goal was to create a visually immersive digital presence that reflects the mysterious tone of the novel Det som sjön gömmer, where the lake, memory, and disappearance shape both the story and the design language. The website is designed to feel like stepping into the world of the book rather than just browsing it. The main challenge was to translate a sense of suspense and emotional depth into a structured user experience. I worked with layered visual storytelling, combining cinematic imagery, subtle motion, and carefully balanced typography to maintain clarity without losing atmosphere. The homepage opens with a hero section featuring a reader holding the book, overlaid with title and key information, supported by a clear call-to-action. This leads into an immersive section with a looping lake video background, paired with the book cover and an invitation to read the first chapter. Further down, the author section introduces Elin Falk against a muted, warm-toned background to contrast the darker narrative elements, creating a more personal and grounded moment within the experience. A newsletter section encourages ongoing engagement, followed by reviews that build credibility and emotional connection.

Design

  • Muted, earthy colour palette combined with dark, mysterious backgrounds to reinforce the lake-inspired atmosphere
  • Cinematic hero section featuring a reader with the book and a subtle text overlay for strong emotional first impression
  • Lake video background to create a sense of movement, depth, and narrative mood
  • Soft transitions between sections to maintain flow and a calm, atmospheric browsing experience
  • Texture-inspired footer resembling a wooden pier to subtly connect the design to the novel’s setting

Development

  • Built in WordPress using Elementor
  • Fully responsive design optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
  • Smooth scroll animations and subtle transitions to enhance user experience
  • Basic on-page SEO setup including headings, metadata, and image optimisation