Safehouse is a conceptual non-profit organization I created for my senior show at the University of Wisconsin Stout. The goal was to provide a safe and non-judgemental environment for adolescents who self harm.
Safehouse provides kits for teens in the form of discrete bags, about the size of a pencil pouch. Inside, there are tools for them to avoid self harm including a red pen, notebook, snap bracelet, and a Get Safe brochure. There are also items like bandaids, gauze, and wipes to help keep themselves clean if they do self harm. Temporary tattoos are also included to help cover old scars. Many people feel embarrassed to go in public with scars of self harm, and Safehouse wants them to feel good about themselves even if the past has been tough.
Mini business cards for Safehouse. Small and discrete so they're easy to have on hand.
Logo stickers. Who doesn't love a good sticker?!
Teens are provided a notebook and red Safehouse pen inside their kits. These can be used to write, draw, rip, tear, or scribble in - whatever helps them cope with what is causing them to want to self harm. The red pen also doubles as a tool to draw on skin. This is a common way to "harm" oneself with actually harming. The user draws or scribbles on the area they want to harm as an alternative.
The Get Safe brochure includes alternatives to self harm and ways to cope with the stressor they are going through. Teens are encouraged to "Get Creative" and draw, or "Get Physical" and go for a run. These are small so having this around as a quick reminder is easy.
This is the Safehouse snap bracelet! It is common for those who self harm to wear a rubber band on their wrist and to snap it when they feel the desire to hurt themselves. Each kit comes with one so teens can wear it and snap it as often as they want as an easy reminder that they are not alone and can get through the tough times.
This is the booth I created to present my semester long project.
A close up of the table. Shown here are the bags used for their kits (back right), and all of the items found inside.
This was the most rewarding experience I have ever gone through. I went into the semester wanting to create something to help people in some way. I had never personally dealt with this issue so it took a lot of research and patience. I was so nervous to present such a dark subject, but I couldn't believe the positivity I received at my show. I had people listen to my project with tears in their eyes and thank me for creating something they wish they had when they were younger. That was so worth the semester of little sleep and coffee overload.
Starting with a package of edamame from an everyday grocery store, I created a company, logo, and packaging for a line of healthy snacks. Baransu, meaning balance in Japanese, served as the inspiration for this project. Finding balance in your health and everyday life is what this conceptual company stands for. Simple, clean design lets the product sing. The cone shape makes this all natural snack easy to eat on the go. The print on the inside adds a fun surprise when the package is opened.
Published on Packaging of the World
The focus around Plenti Specialty Gardens was to give the consumer a unique experience with their product. This nature journal style book has 'handwritten' notes and directions on how to create your own pizza garden, watercolor illustrations, and room for the user to add their own notes and drawings as well. What makes this book really special are the three pockets built into the pages that hold the seeds to plant in your garden.
IMAGINATION – IN A PINCH!
Pinched is dedicated to bringing children and parents together in fun and imaginative ways. Open up this container and let the creativity flow! Kids and parents can create three different animals together: an alligator, sheep, and dragonfly.
This project was a fun challenge to create a children's product that was a good blend of fun, modern, and sophisticated, and that parents could enjoy with their children.
Three fun projects for kids and their families to create. Brightly colored boxes are offset with a clean white wrap. Inside is a clear cover with "Pinched" printed on it so you can see all the imagination that is waiting!
A peek inside the kits and their finished product.
This project was inspired by a Kickstarter project for wooden eyewear frames. Bringing wood grain and neon colors together creates the fun and trendy vibe that was envisioned for this company. Shown here are logo variations, business cards, website, and mockups of the logo on the eyewear.
The Mobile Wellness Project is a work in progress. My client, Mary, is in the process of creating this non-profit organization based out of Menomonie, WI. They strive to help both women and men in the area by providing services like makeup application as a way to boost self esteem after a trying period in their life.
Seen here is the logo Mary has chosen. More exciting changes to come!
(Current photography not owned by Ashley Ann Designs.)
Previous versions/ideations of the logo.
Solid Foundations is a home inspection company based out of the Twin Cities that helps homeowners and potential homeowners have peace of mind. Their affordable inspections help their customers make a solid and informed decision.
I had the honor of helping the owner, Earl, when he was just starting his business. I designed his logo, business cards, and brochure to all be cohesive so consumers know they are looking at something from Solid Foundations. This logo gets a lot of exposure as Earl and his partner, Rick, work closely with many Edina Realty Realtors and their clients.
When Ashley Balfanz of Devoted Designs asked me to do her logo, I was thrilled! Being engaged at the time, I was in full wedding mode! I tried to think about what I would want to see in a company as the potential client. I knew I wanted to giver her something simple, modern, classy, and a little bit fun.
A view of her website, featuring the Devoted Designs logo.
