Eco-Livin Case Study
July - Sep 2020
Role
Design Consultant
(Freelance)
Deliverables
Branding, Visual Design,
Web Design & Development
Creating a visual identity and website for a wallet-friendly eco-commerce brand
Client
Eco-Livin is a new company based in the Netherlands that aims to reshape the future by selling sustainable everyday household products online at affordable prices.
Challenge
With a logo and the products ready to be sold and packaged, they quickly needed to start selling, and they needed to do it with a style that fits their brand values.
Solution
I designed a soft, human/earthy visual identity in order to reflect their environmentally-conscious business model. With a quick turnaround required, I utilised simple themes and plug-ins in Wordpress which enabled Eco-Livin to launch their eco-commerce journey as soon as humanly possible.
Design Process
01
Discover & define
First, I discussed the project scope and researched avenues in how to successfully visually represent the brand as required and launch online in the quickest and best way possible.
02
Visual identity
I started researching the eco-commerce landscape and defined a colour scheme and overall visual language to use across the site.
03
Templates in Wordpress
At the same time as post-producing some product shots, I researched and chose a simple Wordpress template and plug-ins that would allow for a swift dev process.
04
Content optimisation
Alongside the client, I proposed we restructing the content to tell a smoother story and provide a better overall user experience.
05
Website design & dev
Prioritising the desktop version, I designed mock pages and after the client's approval, integrated everything in the chosen template and plug-ins.
06
Test, launch & refine
I tested all site functions (payments, account creation, wish lists, receipts, etc) and launched accordingly after basic refinements to the responsive design of the site.
A soft visual touch with natural balance
I created a pallete to align with the environmental-consciousness of the business, using soft, natural and friendly tones to get users to feel that “comfortable” vibe.
The darker, more earthy colours provides that vital contrast for a sense of visual balance (as the laws of nature also dictates).
On-brand & impactful
images across the site
Using rounded edges to frame carefully selected visuals and pre-existing product shots, added to Eco-Livin’s natural theme.
I carefully sourced stock images for the website that had to match the content properly as well as the colour profile to suit the identity. It took a loooong time, but it was worth it.
Moving forward...
This was a great but very challenging project, and I was lucky enough to be allowed by the client, the freedom to be as creative as I can within the wordpress template and the allocated time, budget and content. It reminded me of having to play football with bags and coats as goal-posts, we just make do and play :)
The greatest challenges were choosing and integrating plugins and then changing the styles to suit the brand. Without enough time to research, it was difficult to know whether I chose the best option.
That being said, I believe I did my best in the circumstances. Unfortunately, the client decided to put the business on hold for now, so hopefully, Eco-livin v2 would eventually launch and become the go-to brand for sustainable living.
