Context
Photo essays and image-heavy stories needed better ways to display multiple images without overwhelming the page. The existing options forced awkward compromises between image size and scroll length.
How might we create a gallery experience that handles mixed aspect ratios elegantly while giving readers control over their viewing pace?
Process
- Studied gallery patterns across news sites, portfolios, and photo platforms
- Interviewed photographers and visual journalists about their needs
- Prototyped swipe, click, and hybrid navigation patterns
- Tested with real content to ensure layouts worked with varied aspect ratios
- Refined touch interactions for mobile devices
Solution
A carousel component that intelligently adapts to content—portrait images get more vertical space, landscapes expand horizontally. Navigation supports both swipe gestures and click targets, with optional captions and image counts.
Outcomes
- Adopted in 30% of new stories within first quarter
- Average time spent on gallery sections increased by 40%
- Positive feedback from photo-focused customers
Learnings
- Auto-advancement was polarizing—making it optional was the right call
- Keyboard navigation mattered more than expected for accessibility
- Thumbnail previews helped users understand gallery length upfront