CONCEPT & ARTWORK
HOLIDAY 2020 & 2021
What began as a simple request for a holiday monogram concept quickly grew into one of the Home division’s most successful gifting programs. The goal was clear: create something beautiful and personal that would spark joy during the holidays—something that felt like a small discovery and a thoughtful gesture, all in one.
To get there, I immersed myself in research, collecting hundreds of lettering references—from ornate historical alphabets to expressive modern scripts. I wanted each monogram to feel timeless yet fresh, with character and charm that reflected both heritage and contemporary design sensibilities. The final 2020 assortment included 12 hand-lettered monograms, each uniquely crafted and applied to gifting items such as candle vessels, journals, and hydration bottles. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, with guests praising the collection in glowing online reviews.
Encouraged by its success, we expanded the program in 2021 to include all 26 letters and updated color palettes. The collection not only struck an emotional chord with guests but also delivered exceptional business results, ultimately becoming the most profitable gifting statement in the Home category, with over $30 million in combined sales.
TIME LAPSE VIDEO ON PROCREATE
In my sketchbook, I started exploring different fruits using watercolor, graphite, and ink — I really wanted to capture the organic textures and natural imperfections that come through when working by hand. My goal was to keep some of that raw, tactile feel in the final artwork to create a sense of depth and dimension that felt authentic and inviting.
Once I had built out the initial artwork portfolio, I shared it with our leadership team. From there, we went through a truly collaborative process, discussing how the artwork could best bring our summer vision to life. After thoughtful conversations and feedback, we decided to move toward a cleaner, more graphic aesthetic for the season. This direction felt fresh, modern, and aligned with the playful spirit we wanted to convey — and it also helped us connect with an even wider range of guests.
It was a great example of how creative exploration and team input can come together to shape a final product that’s both exciting and approachable.THE FINAL PRODUCT
The images shown here represent a small selection of the full artwork and product development created for the 2021 season. I curated this assortment to highlight some of the most impactful designs — the pieces that not only anchored the collection but also appeared across multiple product categories.
This project exceeded all our expectations, achieving outstanding sales results and resonating deeply with guests. It also generated strong buzz on social media, helping to strengthen SunSquad’s brand presence and celebrate its playful, colorful spirit. In stores, the collection created a vibrant, joyful experience that added a much-needed burst of color and fun — perfectly capturing the essence of summer.
