QABD
QABD (Queer Archives of the Bengal Delta) is a community-led archive preserving queer Bangladeshi history and culture. Built by and for the community, the archive serves as a vital act of preservation. As a studio committed to resourcing global queer movements, we partnered with QABD to strengthen their brand identity and engineer a digital experience that facilitates safe, intuitive exploration of their growing collection.
Project Team
Branding and UI Design: Zoe Tang
UX Design: Eva Kamenetski
Development: Sofiia Bondarenko and Nata Sheketa
The Challenge
QABD required a platform capable of housing nuanced archival content without overwhelming the user. Drawing on our expertise in information architecture, we knew the site had to balance high-detail metadata with an inviting, accessible interface. Crucially, the archive needed restricted-access infrastructure. Some materials required a secure login layer to ensure sensitive community history is shared with care and consent—prioritising safety over “social” features.
What We Did
We refreshed the visual identity with an archival-inspired system. We paired a classic serif for institutional authority with an inclusive sans-serif for digital legibility. A warm, vibrant palette (red anchored by rich greens, yellows, and blues, balanced with neutral beige) was designed to reflect the energy of a living community project anchored in permanence and care.
We refined the logo to sit more comfortably alongside the updated typography, keeping the mark recognisable while improving overall coherence and readability across digital touchpoints.
On the website, we re-engineered the archive experience for maximum clarity. We introduced a modular layout that supports ongoing updates and streamlined the metadata using expandable UI sections to prevent information overload. For sensitive materials, we implemented a bespoke members area using Ultimate Member. This functions strictly as a secure access layer, ensuring that restricted content is only accessible to approved users, thereby upholding QABD’s commitment to community accountability and safety.
We designed mobile-first, making sure key content blocks reflow cleanly on smaller screens and navigation stays intuitive.
Impact
QABD now possesses a brand and website that feel grounded, energetic, and distinctly archival. By optimising the metadata hierarchy, we have made it easier for visitors to discover materials while providing the team with a structure for sustainable digital growth.
Just as importantly, the restricted-access area serves as an essential tool for digital stewardship. By implementing strategic access controls, we have helped QABD protect sensitive stories, ensuring that queer Bangladeshi history is preserved, protected, and held with the dignity it deserves.
