What if a Website was Inspired by an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly?

Butterflies or Lepidoptera are distinguished by their coloration and the life stages they go through in becoming a fully fledged butterfly. Known for their attractive coloration and patterns, they can be used as inspiration for the design of a website. In this post, I go over what a website inspired by an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) might look like.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly flies in mid-western and eastern North America east of the Rocky Mountains and is distinguished by its yellow and black coloration, as well as its large size. Beyond the monarch butterfly, is it likely one of the more recognizable butterflies in eastern North America. West of the Rocky Mountains is a companion butterfly that looks similar called the Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). In the northern parts of the range, is another look alike called the Canadian Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis), which the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail sometimes hybridizes with.

The lifecycle of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail begins with green to greenish-yellow eggs that are laid on the leaves of the host plants. Often these are members of the Magnolia Family (Magnoliaceae), such as tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), the Rose Family (Rosaceae), such as wild black cherry (Prunus serotina), or the Basswood Family (Tiliaceae), such as basswood (Tilia americana). Rarely they can also be hosted by tree species In the spring the larva or caterpillars come out.

At first the larva are brown and white look like bird droppings as a form of camouflage. Later they become green and white and have two large eye spots to scare predators. The adult butterflies have a wingspan of 2.5 in (6.4 cm) to 5.5 in (14.00 cm) and fly from March to October.

A website inspired by butterflies would have a blend of visual appeal and user-friendly features. The tone would be one of elegance, transformation, and lightness as they in the air. The butterfly website would capture the users attention but not be overwhelming and have easy navigation. Overall the website would bring about a sense of beauty, grace, and tranquility with a unique and memorable design leaving a lasting impression on users. Below is a summary of how to create a beautiful and functional website inspired by the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

• Website Visuals
  • Color Palette: Dominant colors of the website would be yellow and black, inspired by the colors of the butterfly’s wings. Accents of blue to mimic the hindquarter coloration and maybe some orange from females could be used for buttons or highlights.
  • Background: Subtle patterns deriving from the wing scales of the eastern tiger swallowtail could be used. Alternatively, a blurred image of a forest or meadow that is the habitat of the butterfly could provide a nature-inspired backdrop.
  • Font: A slightly whimsical font with a touch of elegance could complement the overall design.
  • Imagery: Images and graphics used would feature the eastern tiger swallowtail, flowers, and natural elements typical to its habitat. Slow-moving animations of butterflies flying across the screen could be used.
  • Layout: The layout of the website would be clean and uncluttered, with content “floating” on the page, much like a butterfly flits through the air.
• Website Features
  • Navigation: Navigation buttons could be shaped like leaves or flower petals. A “flutter” animation could play on hover.
  • Content Sections: Sections could be divided by subtle lines or graphical elements inspired by the veins on a butterfly’s wings. For example, a nature photography website that shows images of butterflies with wing-shaped frames.
  • Interactive Elements: Interactive elements like image galleries could mimic the opening and closing of butterfly wings. An example could be a nature conservation website that has a fluttering butterfly leading users to different sections.
  • Loading Animations: A small animation of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly could be used as a loading or transition effect.
  • Micro-interactions: Subtle animations could be triggered by user actions, like a trail of sparkles following the cursor or leaves rustling when scrolling.

The colors used in an eastern tiger swallowtail website would be implemented using the yellow and black of the wings in a harmonious and balanced way. Yellow would be the predominant color with black providing contrast. Blue and orange would be used for accent colors. How the colors would be used include:

• Dominant Colors
  • Vibrant Yellows: Yellow is the most prominent color on the butterfly’s wings and can represent sunshine, energy, and positivity. On a website, it could be used for backgrounds, large headings, or key interactive elements to draw attention. Different shades of yellow could be used to create depth and visual interest and evoke feelings of happiness, optimism, and encourage communication. For instance, some yellows that could be used include:
    • Bright Yellows
      • #FFFF00: A bright yellow that mimics the midday sun and is energetic and attention-grabbing.
      • #FFEA00: A less intense yellow than that above and is little easier on the eyes.
      • #FFEE88: A buttery yellow that gives a softer look.
    • Golden Yellows
      • #FFD700: A golden yellow that gives a sense of luxury and warmth.
      • #FFC300: A rich deep gold that has a hint of orange that can be used in concert with orange accents.
      • #F0E68C: A khaki type yellow that is ideal for subtle backgrounds or accents.
    • Deep Black: The black stripes of the swallowtail’s wings provide contrast and definition. On the website, black can be used for text, borders, icons, and navigation elements to ground the design and improve readability. Blacks can add a touch of sophistication, power, and elegance. They can also provide a sense of mystery and intrique. Some example black colors include:
      • True Black & Near Blacks:
        • #000000: The blackest of the black colors. This black absorbs all of the colors of light and provides the strongest contrast. It can be used for headings and important text to give the strongest contrast to the yellow background.
        • #181818: An off-black color that is slightly lighter than the true black above and is softer on the eyes. It can be used for body text or smaller elements.
        • #282828: The matte black has gray overtones and is less harsh than the pure black.
      • Blacks with Cool Undertones: These colors can be used for backgrounds and patterns.
        • #202124: This black has a subtle blue overtone and has a cool feel. It can be used with other blue accents in the website and for elements you want to recede slightly.
        • #36454F: This is a charcoal black color that has a hint of blue/green. It is a good choice if you want a softer black and more depth.
• Accent Colors:
  • Sky Blue: Representing the blue on the eastern tiger swallowtail’s hindwings, which is especially prominent in the females, can add a cool calming touch to the website. This color could be used sparingly on the website for buttons, links, or subtle background accents. These colors can be used to create a sense of depth and dimension, while creating a calming and peaceful atmosphere promoting trust and tranquility.
  • Hints of Orange: In some cases the females of the eastern tiger swallowtail will have orange spots on their hindwings. Hints of orange could be used for hover effects, notifications, or small design elements. The use of orange stimulates creativity, enthusiasm, and encourages action.

The background of the website influences the overall mood and atmosphere. The background can be inspired by the habitat and wing patterns of the eastern tiger swallowtail with the color palette discussed previously. In all uses of background, be sure to maintain adequare contrast in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2 AA). Also make sure that the background complements the content and does not compete with it. Some examples include:

• Subtle Patterns:
  • Wing Scales: A very subtle pattern mimicking the microscopic scales on the eastern tiger swallowtail’s wings could add a feeling of texture and depth while not being a distraction. This could be achieved with a very faint, repeating pattern in shades of yellow and black, or even a noise texture with a slight iridescent effect.
  • Vein-like Lines: Thin lines that are inspired by the veins of the eastern tiger swallowtail could be used as flowing lines in the background. These lines could be a slightly darker or lighter shade of yellow than those used in the base color, in order to create a sense of movement and organic form.
• Nature-Inspired Images:
  • Blurred Backgrounds: A blurred image of forest, meadow, or garden could provide a serene and natural backdrop to the website. The blur would keep the focus on the website’s content while still evoking the butterfly’s habitat.
  • You can use the Bokeh Effect: The bokeh effect uses soft, out-of-focus circles in shades of green and yellow. This can create a dreamy and magical atmosphere that is reminiscent of sunlight filtering through leaves.
• Dynamic Backgrounds:
  • Slow Animations: A very subtle animation of leaves swaying in the breeze, clouds drifting across the sky, or even a single butterfly flying in the distance could add a touch of dynamism and life to the background.
  • Parallax Scrolling: This type of scrolling could be used to create a sense of depth and immersion in the scene.

An example of a website using the above would be one with a soft yellow background with a subtle pattern inspired by butterfly wing scales. While you scroll, a blurred image of a sunlit meadow slowly moves in the background, creating a sense of depth and tranquility.

While the colors and patterns of the butterfly are the most obvious inspirations, the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly can relevant to typography as well. Some ways to reflect this include:

• Broad Font Types to Consider
  • Elegant Fonts: The swallowtail is a graceful butterfly and the font can reflect this with flowing lines and refined shapes.
  • Whimsical Fonts: The light and airy qualities of the butterflies can be expressed with fonts that have a touch of playfulness and subtle flourishes.
  • Clear Fonts: Fonts used in body text must be legible and easy to read.
• Font Styles to Look At:
  • Script Fonts: Script fonts mimic handwriting and evoke a sense of elegance and sophistication. However, they should be used sparingly for things such as headings or special accents. Script fonts can be found on Google fonts, Adobe fonts, Font Bundles, and Creative Market. Some examples include:
    • Classic Script Fonts:
      • Alex Brush: A font with flowing, brush-like strokes and excellent readability.
      • Great Vibes: A font with a formal, calligraphic feel, with beautiful swashes and flourishes.
      • Sacramento: A font with a vintage charm having delicate loops and a slightly bounct baseline.
      • Edwardian Script: A font with classic penmanship having elegant curves and refined letterforms.
      • Allura: A font with a romantic feel having flowing strokes and a slightly condensed style.
    • Modern Script Fonts:
      • Pacifico: A font with a relaxed, beachy, vibe having thick, rounded letters.
      • Dancing Script: A lively and energetic font with bouncy letters and a casual feel.
      • Kauschan Script: A font having a bold, hand-drawn style with unique character.
  • Serif Fonts: Serif fonts have small decorative strokes at the ends of the letters. These fonts overall give a classic, timeless feel and works for both headings and body text. To keep with the theme of the website, those with flowing serifs should be used such as:
    • Classic Serif Fonts:
      • Garamond: A font known for its readability and organic feel.
      • Times New Roman: A font that has a traditional look and is widely used.
      • Playfair Display: A high-contrast font with a calligraphic quality that can be used for heading and titles.
      • Lora: A contemporary and romantic font that has good readability for body text.
      • EB Garamond: A open-source version of Garamond font that has a modern feel.
    • Modern Serif Fonts:
      • Merriweather: A serif font that is known for its screen readability.
      • Noto Serif: A universal Google font.
      • PT Serif: A clean and modern screen readable font.
      • Source Serif Pro: An open-source serif font that has a sturdy feel and is suitable for headings and body text.
      • Crimson Text: A bookish font that had excellent readability for long-form content.
    • Unique Fonts:
      • Bodoni: A high-contrast font with thick and thin strokes.
      • Didot: A font similar to Bodoni with more contrast.
      • Trajan Pro: A font that is inspired by Roman inscriptions.
      • Baskerville: A font that has classic and modern features with good readability.
  • Sans-Serif Fonts: Sans-serif fonts are known for their clean, modern look, and excellent readability, They are often used on websites since they generally comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). When choosing a font be sure to consider the tone of the website and try pair it with another font to create visual interest.
    • Minimalist Fonts:
      • Helvetica: A classic font that is used for its clarity.
      • Arial: A font that offers excellent legibility.
      • Roboto: A Google font that has excellent readability.
      • Open Sans: A versatile font that has numerous readability platforms.
      • Lato: A clean and modern sans-serif font with a warm and inviting feel.
    • Approachable Fonts:
      • Poppins: A geometric font with a rounded appearance.
      • Nunito: A rounded font that is warm and well-suited for websites.
      • Source Sans Pro: A versatile font that is designed for user interfaces and has excellent legibility.
      • Raleway: A font with a thin weight that is perfect for headings and titles.
      • Quicksand: A font with a playful, quirky feel that is suitable for websites.
    • Modern Fonts:
      • Montserrat: A geometric sans-serif font with a strong, modern feel, suitable for headings and bold statements.
      • Oswald: A condensed sans-serif font, ideal for headlines and impactful text.
      • Futura: A geometric sans-serif font with a classic, timeless feel, often used in design and branding.
      • Impact: A high-impact sans-serif font, perfect for attention grabbing headlines and short text.

No butterfly website would be complete without having imagery of this majestic swallowtail. Images should be of high-quality and bring out the qualities of the butterfly. Some types of imagery to consider include:

• Photographs: Having high-quality photos of eastern tiger swallowtails in thier natural habitat would add to the overall atmosphere of the website. For instance, close-ups of the wings with an emphasis on the intricate patterns and colors, would captivate viewers. Images of flowers they pollinate such as lilies, milkweed, or others would reinforce the connection to nature.
• Illustrations: Hand-drawn illustrations or digital art of butterflies could add a unique and artistic feel to the website. They could be realistic or abstract and show the essence of the swallowtail in a creative way.
• Graphics and Icons: Icons and graphical elements inspired by the butterfly’s shape, wings, or patterns could be used for navigation, buttons, or decorative accents.

There are many ways to the use the imagery types described above. Some examples include:

• As Hero Images: A large image of an eastern tiger swallowtail could be used as a hero image to immediately set the tone and setting of the website.
• Background Images: Subtle images showing the eastern tiger swallowtail’s habitat, such as a blurred forest or meadow, could further reinforce the atmosphere of the website and provide depth.
• Galleries and Slideshows: Having a gallery or slideshow of the life stages of the eastern tiger swallowtail (from egg, caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly) could be a visually engaging way to tell a story.
• Interactive Elements: Images could be used for hover effects or you could have animations of the butterfly’s movements.

The layout of the website determines how users interact with the content. Below are some possible principles and layouts in the theme of an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly.

• Principles:
  • Open Space: Eastern tiger swallowtails fly through the open space of the air and as such your website should have a sense of openness to it. Try to avoid clutter and allow content to have space around it.
  • Flow and Movement: The layout should naturally guide the user’s eye through the content, mimicking the flight of the butterfly. Visual cues such as lines, shapes, and whitespace should be used to create a sense of movement and direction.
  • Asymmetry: Asymmetry should be used to duplicate the flitting nature of a butterfly flying. However, some symmetry should be used to replicate the symmetrical patterns of the wings.
  • Visual Hierarchy: A clear visual hierarchy should be used to guide the user’s eyes to the most important elements.
• Layout Elements:
  • Grid System: The use of a grid system can be used to provide structure and balance to the website.
  • Diagonal Lines: Diagonal lines can be used to mimic the angle’s of the butterfly’s wings and create a sense of dynamism. These lines can be used in dividers, background patterns, or image placement.
  • Overlapping Elements: Try to overlap elements to replicate the overalapping wings of the butterfly. Overlapping elements can include images, text boxes, or other design elements.
  • Whitespace: Ample whitespace should be used to create a feeling of being in the open air and giving the feeling of an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly flying through the air.

• A large hero image of an eastern tiger swallowtail in flight that is positioned off-center to create asymmetry.
• Diagonal lines guiding the eye down the page to different content sections.
• Content blocks with varying widths and heights, overlapping slightly to create depth.
• Having ample whitespace between elements, allowing the design to breathe.
• A footer with a subtle leaf pattern, grounding the design and providing a visual connection to nature.

Just at the hero image sets the tone of the website, the navigation menu can further reinforce the theme.

The navigation style of the site should be intuitive and clear to replicate the ability of the eastern tiger swallowtail to effortlessly navigate the air. Labels should be clear and concise and lead users to desired actions. The ample use of whitespace lends itself well to minimalist theme, All of the elements should be visually integrated to the overall design of the website.

• Menu Structure: The most effective choice is a horizontally aligned navigation bar in order to provide a clear categorization of menu items,
• Button Design: Instead of standard rectangular buttons, try to use shapes that are inspired by nature such as leaves or flower petals for navigation buttons.
• Hover effects: Hover effects on the navigation buttons such as a gentle color change, a soft glow, or a fluttering animation could be used.
• Dropdown Menus: Dropdown menus could expand smoothly when clicked.

• Homepage: A horizontal navigation bar with buttons shaped like leaves, each labeled with a main section. When hovering over a menu item, it gently changes color or has a subtle animation of a butterfly flying across the screen.
• Gallery Page: A vertical sidebar could have thumbnail images of various host plants of the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. Clicking on an image goes to the corresponding gallery.

Below are some ideas on designing website content sections that have an eastern tiger swallowtail theme.

• Section Dividers:
  • They have Subtle Lines: Instead of harsh and stiff lines, use delicate, flowing lines to separate content sections. These lines could be in a slightly darker or lighter shade of yellow to copy the wing color, or have a gradient of yellow into black or blue.
  • Use Leaf or Petal Shapes: Stylized leaf or petal shapes could be used as dividers, adding a hint of nature and visual interest. An example would be the Landscape Design Studio webpage, where an orange sulphur butterfly is used as a divider.
  • Use Wing Vein Patterns: Inspiration could be taken from the veins on the butterfly’s wings to create divider patterns.

• Content Organization:
  • Have a Clear Hierarchy: Headings, subheadings, and bullet points could be used to organize content and make it easy to scan.
  • It has Visual Flow: The user’s eye should be guided through the content using visual cues such as whitespace, images, and directional lines.
  • There are varied Content Blocks: Long blocks of text should be broken up with images, videos, or quotes to keep the user engagement and avoid the “wall of text” effect.
• Visual Interest:
  • Content Elements should Overlap: Content blocks should be allowed to overlap to create depth and visual interest, mimicking the overlapping wings of the butterfly.
  • Alternative Backgrounds should be Used: Alternating background colors, patterns, or backgrounds inspired by nature should be used to create visual distinction. Again, the Landscape Design Studio website is an example of this.
  • You can use Animations: Subtle animations could be added to content sections. For example, a gentle fade-in effect when the user scrolls or a slight movement of elements on hover.

• About Us Section: Use a script font for the heading with a paragraph of text about the website’s mission. Following this is a stylized leaf divider separating the text from a gallery of team member photos.
• Services Section: Each service could be presented in a separate content block with a pale yellow background. The blocks themselves are arranged in a slightly overlapping pattern with a wing vein pattern used as a divider between them. On hover, the block gently expands and a call-to-action button appears.

Since the eastern tiger swallowtail is a creature of motion flying through the air, having interactive elements on the website is appropriate. Below are some examples of interactive elements that could be used.

• Image Galleries: High-quality images of eastern tiger swallowtails could be used in a dynamic gallery. Users can click through the images, zoom in for details, or even rotate them to see the butterflies from different angles. An example would be a gallery that mimics the opening and closing of butterfly wings as users navigate through the images.
• Animations: Subtle animations could be used throughout the site. For example, when a user hovers over an image of a flower, a butterfly could gracefully fly to it to land. On scrolling, elements could gently fade in or slide into view mimicking the butterfly’s gentle flight through the air. An example would be a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly as a loading or transition effect.
• Use of Interactive Maps: If you have a website that is location-based, an interactive map could be used to learn about habitats or sightings of the eastern tiger swallowtail in the area.
• Quizzes or Polls: Users can be engaged with the use of quizzes or polls related to eastern tiger swallowtails or butterflies in general or nature itself. This can be a fun way to educate visitors and encourage interaction and memorability of the site.
• Forms with Dynamic Feedback: Use of dynamic forms instead of static forms. For example, as users fill out a content form, the form fields could subtly change color or animate.

• Have Purposeful Interactions: Make sure that interactive elements serve a purpose, enhance the user experience, and do not cause a distraction from the main theme.
• Subtlety: Interactions should be subtle, elegant, and reflect the gracefulness of the eastern tiger swallowtail. Do not have flashy or jarring animations.
• Performance of the Website: Interactive elements should load quickly and not impact the performance of the website.
• Accessibility of the Website: Make sure that the elements are designed with accessibility in mind and have color contrast, alternative text, and the elements are able to be tabbed through.

• Homepage: An interactive map showing the distribution of the eastern tiger swallowtails across North America could be used. Users could then click on different regions to see local information and photos.
• About Us Page: An amimated timeline showcasing the history of the organization or business, with each milestone marked by an eastern tiger swallowtail icon that animates on hover.
• Education Section: Use a quiz testing user’s knowledge of butterfly facts, with correct answers rewarded with a short animation of an eastern tiger swallowtail emerging from a chrysalis.

By weaving together these design elements – the vibrant colors, the graceful typography, the nature-inspired imagery, and the intuitive layout – you can create a website that truly embodies the essence of the eastern tiger swallowtail.

Imagine a website that greet visitors with a soft yellow glow, reminescent of the sunlit meadows where the butterfly dances among the wildflowers. The navigation, shaped like delicate leaves, invites further exploration of the website. Content section, divided by flowing lines and wing-like patterns, present information with clarity and grace.

This design approach demonstrates the power of drawing inspiration from nature. By carefully observing and translating the characteristics of the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly into a digital experience, you can create a website that is not only aesthectically pleasing but also emotionally resonant and memorable.

This post originally ran on the Silphium Design LLC website.