This project is a digital manifestation of the 2025/2026 holiday card by Karri Huhtanen. Continuing a tradition of annual Christmas cards that dates back to 1996, this collaboration transformed a series of seven images into an interactive experience.
Phase 1: Establishing the Core
We began with the fundamental requirement: a web-based gallery for seven square images. We established a "loop-aware" logic ensuring that after the final image in the sequence, the viewer is seamlessly returned to the beginning of the story.
Phase 2: Structural Professionalism
The project was organized into three distinct files: HTML for structure, CSS for presentation, and JavaScript for logic. We implemented a preloading script so that all images load in the browser's memory immediately, preventing any "flicker" or delay during navigation.
Phase 3: Enhancing User Experience (UX)
Recognizing that many viewers would be on mobile devices, we added custom JavaScript to detect horizontal gestures, allowing users to swipe through the narrative. We also implemented visual feedback—a subtle "push" effect—to make the digital card feel tactile and responsive on touchscreens.
Phase 4: Aesthetic and Narrative Identity
We implemented a "Dark Mode" aesthetic using a pure black background and a Champagne Gold border to match the warmth of the holiday lights. To ensure accessibility, we crafted detailed descriptive text for each image, reflecting on the 2026 theme of digital surveillance and companionship.