Five design concepts for the organization's web presence
A dark, cinematic approach that treats the RRF's history like a museum exhibition. Dramatic full-screen layouts, dark/light skin options, and a design language purpose-built for historical institutions.
For over 160 years, standing with the families of New York's uniformed services members killed or injured in the line of duty.
"To provide relief for families of the uniform services who have been killed or injured while in faithful discharge of official duty in the City of New York."
A polished, professional look with a split-layout hero, structured content sections, and a clean visual hierarchy. The workhorse choice — built for a committee that wants easy, ongoing self-management.
For over 160 years, the Riot Relief Fund has supported the families of New York City's uniformed services members killed or injured in the faithful discharge of duty.
"To provide relief for families of the uniform services who have been killed or injured while in faithful discharge of official duty in the City of New York."
Direct support to families of fallen and injured officers
Funding first responder training programs
Preserving the legacy of the 1863 Draft Riots
A minimal, content-first approach that loads fast and stays out of the way. Clean typography, generous whitespace, and a focus on readability. The ideal starting point for a lean, static site that can scale later.
Supporting the families of New York City's uniformed services members since 1863. One of the oldest civic welfare organizations in America.
"To provide relief for families of the uniform services who have been killed or injured while in faithful discharge of official duty in the City of New York."
Forget "sections on a page." This approach treats the entire Riot Relief Fund story as a single immersive narrative — like a longform magazine feature or a museum audio tour in web form. Visitors scroll through the story chronologically, from the draft lottery of 1863 through to today. The site is the story.
On a sweltering Saturday morning in July 1863, a blind-folded clerk at 677 Third Avenue reached into a wooden drum and began drawing names. Each slip of paper condemned a man to serve in Mr. Lincoln's army — or to pay three hundred dollars for the privilege of staying home. For a city already seething with anger over a rich man's war, the lottery was the match dropped into the powder keg.
What followed would become the largest civil insurrection in American history outside the Civil War itself. And from its ashes, a group of citizens would forge an institution that endures to this day.
"The riot is said to have assumed vast proportions, and the city is virtually in the hands of the mob."Daily State Gazette, Trenton, N.J. — July 13, 1863
What if the website looked like it was printed in 1863? This approach uses a period-authentic newspaper broadsheet layout — masthead, column rules, dateline, drop caps — to create an experience that is immediately, viscerally of its era. The medium becomes the message: you understand the RRF's age before you read a single word.