To underscore Aesop’s uncompromising pursuit for perfection, Pollen created a website that explores its tiniest details.

Aesop’s Taxonomy of Design by Pollen is a designer’s dream come true. It’s also a very clever way of inviting everyday people to explore Aesop’s site and absorb what the brand stands for.

Strategically, it gives users the chance to discover what makes Aesop one of the world’s most distinct and unique companies.

The interactive website deconstructs the design of Aesop boutiques all over the world, from its signature Adelaide store with a ceiling made from 7,560 glass bottles, to the Millenia Walk store in Singapore, which features an installation made from 30 kilometres of coconut husk…

…note the word “absorb” used earlier – this attention to detail underpins Aesop’s promise.

“We wanted to reflect Aesop’s uncompromising pursuit for perfection and its understated minimalist aesthetic, while still providing a high level of usability,” explained Brett Mitchell, director of Pollen.

The site includes filmed interviews with Aesop’s notable collaborators, photography, stories, videos and quotes, which are searchable by store, designer, features and materials.

Thirty-eight Aesop stores currently feature on Taxonomy of Design, and the taxonomy will grow as Aesop continues to catalogue its remaining stores.

“Taxonomy of Design is a true collaboration between Aesop and Pollen. Together, we’ve created a platform that appears minimalist at first glance, yet is cleverly architected to encourage exploration,” Emma Forrest, digital program manager at Aesop, noted.

Each element has what Pollen calls a ‘buoyancy’ formula, allowing the most recent content to float to the top of the taxonomy, keeping the content fresh and allowing the team at Aesop greater control over the order of elements.

Strategically, it gives users the chance to discover what makes Aesop one of the world’s most distinct and unique companies.