MOTHER’S DAY

BARNES & NOBLE | PAPER SOURCE Illustration, Typography, Pattern Design, Product Design & Development, Print & Product Production

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ACRYLIC FLOWER COASTERS & HOLDER SET

Project Summary

The Acrylic Flower Coaster Set is a versatile and charming design inspired by the timeless floral motif for Mother’s Day. Featuring four stackable coasters with a matching holder, this product combines beauty and functionality, making it a perfect addition to any home.

Design Brief

Develop a trinket dish or catchall tray to appeal to customers shopping for thoughtful gifts.
Designed to be sold at both Barnes & Noble and Paper Source stores.
Customer data from previous years indicated a preference for higher-priced items in this category.

My Design Thinking Process

To meet the needs of both retailers, I focused on creating a product that was simple yet unique to appeal to their shared customer base.

Inspiration

For Mother’s Day, flowers are a recurring theme. Rather than illustrating flowers, I decided to take a fresh approach by shaping the product itself into a flower.

Idea #1: A die-cut flower shape to highlight this concept visually and tangibly.

While brainstorming, I wanted the design to stand out among the single trinket dishes typically offered. During market research, I discovered stackable dish sets, which provided both functionality and a premium feel. This inspired me to develop a set-based format that aligned with the brief’s request for a higher price point.

Idea #2: A stackable design to elevate value and appeal.

Concept Development

Bringing the Design to Life
From Concept to Creation

After reviewing my concept sketches, we pivoted the design to a coaster set instead of a trinket dish. The raised edges of the coasters make them versatile enough to double as small trinket dishes, offering additional functionality for the customer.

You can find this set in stores and online, renamed as the Acrylic Scalloped Coaster Set, available in additional colorways as part of the core collection!