• Project

  • Region

  • Industry

Student Jaimie McKay Repositions The Needle Minder as a Contemporary Quilting Platform

Student Jaimie McKay Repositions The Needle Minder as a Contemporary Quilting Platform

The Needle Minder began as an exploration of what quilting and hobby craft can feel like when the visual language is reframed for a new generation. Quilting often carries associations of nostalgia, softness, and tradition. I wanted to challenge those expectations by creating a brand identity and e-commerce experience that feels bold, contemporary, and full of personality. The goal was to build a space where younger makers feel seen and invited to participate, and where the history of craft meets the energy of modern digital culture without losing its sense of care.

The foundation of the project was grounded in research. I looked closely at how younger crafters shop, what inspires them, and where traditional quilting brands fail to meet their expectations. I built personas and mapped user flows to understand how people navigate the process of finding tools and materials online. From that insight I shaped a brand language that leans into color, scale, and playfulness. The design uses oversized type, saturated color, and layered patterning that feels more aligned with digital expression than conventional quilting aesthetics. The result is a visual system that feels stitched together in spirit even when the forms are graphic and modern.

The site design uses repetition, texture, and pattern to mimic the feeling of assembling a quilt. The homepage becomes a patchwork of imagery and typography. Every section is treated as a tile within a larger composition, which creates a sense of movement and discovery as the user scrolls. Photography reinforces the tension between handmade objects and digital styling. Tools and materials are presented in bright, expressive scenes that position them as creative instruments rather than simple supplies.

The Needle Minder offers a refreshed interpretation of quilting culture. Instead of something quiet or antique, it becomes something lively and expressive. The project allowed me to blend identity design, research, and interactive thinking into a cohesive system that celebrates craft while inviting new audiences into the tradition.





CREDIT

  • Agency/Creative: Jaimie McKay
  • Article Title: Student Jaimie McKay Repositions The Needle Minder as a Contemporary Quilting Platform
  • Organisation/Entity: Student
  • Project Status: Non Published
  • Agency/Creative Country: United States of America
  • Agency/Creative City: Julian, CA
  • Project Deliverables: 2D Design, Animation, Brand Creation, Brand Design, Brand Mark, Brand Naming, Brand Strategy, Branding, Creative Direction, Design, Graphic Design, Icon Design, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Logo Design, Research, Typography, User Experience, User Interaction, Web Design
  • Industry: Retail
  • Keywords: WBDS Student Design Awards 2025/26 , E-commerce, Web Design, Branding

FEEDBACK

Relevance: Solution/idea in relation to brand, product or service
Excellent
Vote
0
Good
Vote
1
Bad
Vote
0
Implementation: Attention, detailing and finishing of final solution
Excellent
Vote
0
Good
Vote
1
Bad
Vote
0
Presentation: Text, visualisation and quality of the presentation
Excellent
Vote
0
Good
Vote
1
Bad
Vote
0