Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Crafting a digital experience for legendary luxury transportation

From their finest flagship to the true gateway to the Belmond brand.

Live Site

www.belmond.com/trains/europe/venice-simplon-orient-express

Engagement

2017-Present

The Challenge

Gifting guests one-of-a-kind experiences in every corner of our world, Belmond has been a pioneer of luxury travel for over 40 years with no plans to slow down. In fact, the LVMH-owned brand accelerated their luxury train travel offering with a relaunch of the Venice Simplon Orient Express.

A partner of Matter Of Form since 2016, Belmond came to us to architect a website that reflects the magnificence of the experience, inspires and empowers potential guests to click ‘book’ and positions the VSOE as the true gateway product to the Belmond brand.

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Translating Timeless Glamour

A living legend of luxury transportation, the VSOE’s history began during the golden age of travel – such an iconic heritage was essential to explore within the site design.

It also had to appeal to a new kind of luxurian. With an influx of younger high-net-worth individuals flocking to travel as a meaningful way to spend their money, every element of the site – from videography to interactivity – must engage and compel every generation, balancing heritage and new horizons in a perfect equation for timelessness.

Infusing Brand Essence At Every Stop Along The Way

Content and UX working hand-in-hand was key as VSOE guests felt ill-equipped due to a lack of information given prior to boarding. So we mapped the digital experience contextually – identifying opportune gaps for moments of delight, service and conversion and optimal methods for conveying information.

From a visual perspective, taking potential guests through each ‘chapter’ of their journey, connected by a cartographical animation as the user scrolls, mirrored the luxurious means offered by Belmond for continental travel.