Role: Lead Graphic Designer, Signage Designer, Documentation
opportunity
Every purchase at the Habitat ReStore helps fund affordable housing for families throughout the Coastal Empire, but the shopping experience wasn't making the same lasting impression as the organization's mission. Outdated branding, a confusing store layout, and limited visibility made it difficult to attract new shoppers and help them understand the impact of their purchases. Our challenge was to create a brighter, more intuitive retail experience that welcomed the community, told Habitat's story, and inspired people to come back again.
Goal
I had the privilege of leading the graphic design team throughout the project, creating a brand system that balanced storytelling with everyday functionality. My goal was to design a flexible signage and branding system that improved navigation for shoppers, simplified updates for staff, and strengthened the connection between the ReStore experience and Habitat's mission.
process
Every meaningful design starts with listening. As a team, we worked closely with Habitat staff to understand the ReStore experience: how shoppers moved through the ReStore, where they encountered confusion, and how they connected with Habitat's mission. Through customer journey mapping, shopper flow studies, and signage prototypes, we tested ways to make the experience more intuitive and engaging.
As the graphic design lead, I compiled and documented the final design solutions into a comprehensive process book and style guide that allowed the Habitat to carry our system into production and adapt them for future needs.
Outcome
Our work helped transform the idea of a ReStore refresh into a tangible vision the Habitat team could move forward with. From the visual identity to the signage system and store flow, each element worked together to create a clearer vision for how the space could better support both shoppers and staff. By documenting our recommendations into a complete design system, we helped equip the Habitat team with the confidence and resources needed to bring the next chapter of the ReStore to life!
