I was honored to receive the Ohio Eminent Scholar Award from the Design Department for this work.
Research Insights
Using a mix of primary research, like interviews, and secondary research, including literature reviews, media scans, and user personas, I refined the structure and intention of my toolkit. Here are the three key insights that shaped its development:- Users need directions on how to use all parts of toolkit, so
make sure to provide enough directions.
- Keeping users engaged with the product by interacting with users through touch points- websites, community posts, etc.
- Making sure users explore emotional healing through art while addressing cultural identity challenges.
Brand
Using the design principles listed below, I created a comprehensive brand identity for Artelier:- Educational: Provides adolescents with guided creative activities that help them explore and understand their cultural identity, while also teaching mindfulness techniques
- Light-hearted: Offers fun and engaging art activities that
encourages creativity and self-expression in a relaxed,
pressure-free environment
- Relaxing: Uses calming mindfulness exercises and
creative art activities to help adolescents relax
and express themselves independently
- Empathetic: Addresses the emotional and cultural challenges adolescents face with supportive activities that promote personal growth and self-connection at their own pace
For the brand identity, I chose the name Artelier because the name conveys a sense of craftsmanship, creativity, and a space for personal expression, all of which align well with the toolkit’s goals.
Design Context
This visual provides step-by-step instructions on how a user would physically interact with this toolkit and provide visual and written instructions for each art activity
ToolkitI chose to contain all my guided materials and art supplies in a mailer box, that would ideally be ordered online and delivered to users’ doorsteps.
Instructional Guide
The instructional guide gives users directions to help initiate the art-making process. It includes both written and visual instructions to help clarify any potential questions.
Website
The homepage provides an inviting, clear introduction to the Artelier toolkit, outlining its purpose and key features, with a clear call-to-action. Its design prioritizes simplicity and emotional connection to show how the toolkit supports creativity, mindfulness, and cultural exploration.The shop page delivers a seamless, user-friendly purchase experience for the toolkit (delivered to the user). It features product images, a detailed contents list, and testimonials to ensure a direct purchase path.
Promotional Materials
As a secondary application of my brand, I purposefully chose a pencil case, tote bag, and enamel pins as fun add-ons to the toolkit. Documentation
This document entails all the research, design iterations, and solutions that I explored for my thesis project in one semester.Final Thoughts
This project, Artelier, is deeply personal, stemming from my own desire for a creative space to process emotions and identity during my teen years. It merges my passion for emotional wellbeing, identity, and creativity into a thoughtful toolkit designed to genuinely support teens through the process of growing up.Designing Artelier over the past year solidified my passion for empathetic brands and their ability to foster meaningful connections.