OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND
The goal of this project was to research, conceptualize, and design a strong identity for a brand and design a mobile application.
PROBLEM/PROMPT
How can I create an experience that will feel personal, and authentic, and yet have it still feel luxurious?
CHALLENGE
The direction I decided to go for this project was by taking inspiration from other popular brands with similar values. Through this I decided my target audience would be primarily women, however, my main goal was to create a product and brand that anyone could enjoy. I wanted the core mission of the brand to reflect inclusivity and self-love because those are values that are important to me and my work as a creative.
Starting off this project, I researched several other self-care brands to gain a better understanding of this industry. I wanted my brand to be as realistic and sophisticated as possible as if these products actually existed in the world and were being marketed. I made sure to research various styles of similar brands, values, history, and previous products that have been marketed in this industry. I evaluated the aspects of skincare and online shopping that I enjoyed and from there made several mood boards, sketches, and mind maps that all reflected where I wanted to push this project. I think it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the brand or industry you are creating for during the creative process. I also believe sketching is KEY to beginning any successful project.
Once I had my brand brief created, it was time to begin designing the mobile application. For this process, I started with researching (again). The research for this portion of the project focused on online shopping platforms and mobile sites. I wanted to get a better scope of understanding of the functionality of mobile applications. From there I drew out each page and button on my app and connected each function accordingly. Once I had my first draft completed, I asked three random individuals whom all identified within my target audience to test it out. This experience allowed me to see where I missed steps or could improve and add functions to my prototype. Once I was satisfied with the Wireframing, I began actually designing the application with Adobe XD.
In the process of creating this brand and mobile application, I was tasked with understanding how users interact with products. This project taught me just how unique the user experience is and that not only is appearance a key factor in design but so is functionality. I was able to bridge a gap between branding and user interface through exploration and research. Taking the learning and experience I have had from this project I would love to have had more time to get to know my target users even more and potentially even broaden the range of the audience to encompass all identities.