Holistic Retail Brand

Designing a holistic wellness education platform to empower users with tools and knowledge for self-healing.

Introduction

The 13th Mirror project aimed to create a digital platform that empowers individuals to take charge of their mental, physical, and emotional well-being through holistic education and natural wellness products. Keona Hughes, the founder of 13th Mirror, envisioned a warm, inviting, and vibrant online presence that would reflect the brand’s core mission of helping users align with their highest good. From brand discovery to web development and visual storytelling, I worked to create a foundation for growth and community engagement.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Brand Identity
  • UX Research
  • UX/UI + Web Design
  • Photography
  • eCommerce Site

The Problem

Before partnering with me, 13th Mirror lacked a cohesive digital presence that clearly communicated its offerings or reflected its founder’s passion for holistic healing. The challenge was to build a visually appealing and user-friendly platform that aligned with the brand’s core message of empowerment while providing clear navigation for educational content, blog posts, and wellness products.

The Design Process

To ensure the design resonated with the brand’s mission, I began with a collaborative discovery session. This included understanding Keona’s personal journey, exploring her vision for the brand, and brainstorming how to translate these elements into a meaningful online experience. The design process involved:

  • Brand Identity: Establishing a warm and inviting aesthetic that conveyed authenticity and care.
  • Visual Storytelling: Using vibrant photography and soothing color palettes to create a sense of calm and inspiration.
  • Web Development: Ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience across all devices.
  • Frequent feedback sessions with Keona ensured that the final product captured the essence of 13th Mirror.

Research

Extensive research informed the strategy for 13th Mirror. I analyzed competitors in the wellness and holistic education industry to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. Insights from consumer behavior studies highlighted the importance of blending education with commerce, making it easier for users to learn about wellness practices while exploring related products. Additionally, I studied popular wellness blogs and educational resources to identify design elements that would resonate with a target audience seeking holistic solutions.

User Personas

To guide the design and content structure, I developed two key user personas:

  • A wellness enthusiast seeking to expand their knowledge of holistic practices and discover products that support their journey.
  • Someone experiencing specific health challenges, looking for accessible education and natural remedies to take control of their well-being.

These personas ensured the website catered to users at different stages of their wellness journey, providing both actionable insights and easy access to products.

Wireframing and Prototyping

The wireframing phase focused on creating a logical and intuitive structure for the website. Key priorities included:

  • Clear Navigation: Designing a user flow that seamlessly guided users to educational resources, blog posts, and product offerings.
  • Prominent CTAs: Strategically placing calls-to-action for blog engagement, product exploration, and mailing list subscriptions.

During prototyping, I incorporated vibrant visuals, animations, and interactive elements to bring the design to life. Usability testing with stakeholders ensured that the final experience was both functional and inspiring.

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What I Learned

This project reinforced the importance of deeply understanding a brand’s mission and target audience to create an authentic and impactful design. I learned how to balance education and commerce in a way that feels natural and engaging. Additionally, working closely with a passionate founder like Keona taught me the value of storytelling in creating a brand that truly resonates with its audience. The experience strengthened my ability to design platforms that not only look beautiful but also foster meaningful connections with users.