Design reference 82 · Avant-garde & experimental
Strata Descent
Depth is both the navigation and the argument of the archive.
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Design specification
Idea. Depth is both the navigation and the argument of the archive.
Composition. A continuous geological section descends from chalk through ochre and rust to blue-black. Depth markers and embedded artefacts replace a conventional page grid.
Navigation and complete example. Descend through six invented layers of a former railway site, examine a found object in each and collect a cross-section of findings.
Responsive and inclusive behaviour. Depth markers stay in a narrow rail; content occupies the remaining width. All strata have labelled anchor links, so scrolling distance is optional. All controls are native buttons or labelled inputs. Movement is discretionary, no sound starts automatically, reduced-motion preferences remove transitions, and a direct index exposes the same content.
Adaptation. Use depth for meaningful chronology or scale, not merely a long scroll. Clearly distinguish fictional findings from research evidence. Retain the relationship between navigation and content. Do not reduce the reference to a generic hero followed by interchangeable cards.
Research. [Neal Agarwal — The Deep Sea](https://neal.fun/deep-sea/). These are conceptual precedents, not copied artwork, source code, branding or text. All diagrams and sample writing in this specimen are original, fictional material.
Files for a coding model
Reference images
- Desktop — 1440 × 1000 viewport
- Phone — 390 × 844 viewport
- Supporting state — 1440 × 1000 viewport
- Full page — 1440 × 1000 viewport
Supporting routes
Reuse
Use and adapt the original code and specifications for personal or commercial work under MIT. Keep applicable font and photo notices. The ZIP includes the complete runnable reference and its local assets.