BIO - Reimagining a New Era of Design Biennials
As the world’s oldest design biennial, BIO needed a digital platform worthy of its history and ambition. We redesigned BIO.si into a modern, bilingual experience with clearer navigation, accessible archives, and a flexible structure that can evolve with each new edition.
Bringing 60 years of design history into one digital experience
BIO’s existing website no longer reflected the relevance of the biennial or the depth of its archive. Content from past editions was difficult to explore, navigation had become unintuitive, and the platform made it harder to promote future editions to a global audience.
The challenge was to create a platform that could connect BIO’s history with its forward-looking identity—without letting the archive overwhelm the current programme.
Designing a framework that could change with every edition
We started by reviewing the existing platform, archive structure, navigation, and content requirements before moving into product discovery and UX/UI design.
The key was to design a system rather than a one-off event website. Content needed to remain consistent and accessible across editions, while still giving each biennial enough visual freedom to establish its own identity.
A digital home for past, present, and future editions
We redesigned and developed BIO.si as a responsive, bilingual platform that brings the biennial’s archive and current programme into one coherent experience.
- /Accessible archives — Historical content is structured so visitors can explore decades of exhibitions and design work without losing context.
- /Clear content navigation — Modular content blocks, stronger hierarchy, and simplified navigation make complex exhibition material easier to discover and understand.
- /Edition-ready visual system — The platform provides a consistent foundation while allowing the identity of each new biennial to come through without requiring the website to be rebuilt.
- /Responsive bilingual experience — The new website works across devices and supports both Slovenian and English audiences, making BIO more accessible internationally.
Together, these elements created a platform that preserves BIO’s design heritage while giving future editions a flexible digital foundation to build on.
The hard parts
The technology behind BIO.si
Vue.js and JavaScript powered the responsive frontend, with HTML5 and CSS forming the core web foundation. Figma supported UX/UI design and prototyping, while Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop were used for supporting visual assets.
the full stack we build in
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Common questions
How did higroup begin with the BIO project?+
We started by analyzing the outdated BIO.si platform, identifying challenges in navigation, archives, and user engagement. Discovery workshops helped shape the vision for a modern, bilingual platform reflecting BIO’s heritage and progressive design philosophy.
What made this project unique?+
The project had to preserve over 60 years of design history while creating a future-proof platform. Balancing accessibility, modern design, and flexible architecture made it a truly distinctive challenge.
How long did it take to deliver the solution?+
The project was completed in structured phases - kick-off, discovery, UX/UI design, development, testing, and support - spanning several months. This ensured each milestone was tested and validated before moving forward.
What technologies powered the new BIO platform?+
The platform was built with Vue.js, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. Design was done in Figma, with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop supporting visual assets. This stack ensured performance, flexibility, and responsive design.
Which services did higroup provide during the project?+
We delivered Design & Discovery, Product Engineering, and Cloud & DevOps services. Our involvement covered UX/UI, development, testing, and deployment - ensuring the platform serves as a modern, reliable digital hub for BIO.