Design

Creators
Thinkers
Strategists
BRAND DESIGN PACKAGE DESIGN SURFACE DESIGN

OUR MIDWEST MANTRA

Kay James Design is a woman owned, award winning design studio with Midwestern roots. We deliver purposeful design solutions that connect with the hearts and minds of consumers. Our best in class processes are grounded in research. With decades of experience, we serve leading CPGs and industries—such as personal care, food & beverage, household and automotive. While our home is in the Midwest; we are Global in how we work. Whether you’re launching a new disruptor brand, renovating an established brand or seeking unique seasonal or special packaging, our pragmatic approach and world wide network allows us to offer you diverse perspectives and fresh creative results.

DESIGN CREATORS

Tripled Sales

Background:

We design with purpose and used our proven design thinking strategy to help the Kleenex® brand with their annual, limited edition, Back-to-School cartons.

Solution:

Our work tripled sales for this retailer, YOY.
We brought forward relevant carton artwork, shelf popping packaging and best in class product imagery for an elevated ecomm shopping experience. To further elevate the value of the purchase, we gave each carton a second life with instructions to transform each carton into a crafty activity.

•  Creative Promotional Compaign Ideas
•  Brand Packaging that Pops
•  Consumer Based Print & Pattern
  In-Context Product Renders for Digital Shelf

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Consumer Centric Representation

Background:

Our most important Design Thinking Phase is the Discover Phase. For this women’s wear brand development we looked at consumer insights and shopping behaviors, dug into category audits, and developed a point of view on fashion aesthetics across generations.

Solution:

We uncovered a key consumer group that felt misrepresented by current clothing lines. As a result, we proposed and executed two new Women’s Wear lines specifically to two key generations.

•  Consumer Centric Mindset
•  Generational POV
•  Brand Identity
  Brand Persona

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Delivering to
Your Brand Promise

Background:

Upholding and communicating the cloth-like promise of Viva® towels was our main objective to accomplish during the print refresh. We created new patterns leveraging fabric textures and stitches and utilized our manufacturing mindset to challenge how the prints were applied to the substrate.

Solution:

We delivered a more cloth-like aesthetic with edge-to-edge printing, which elevated Viva® to be the category leader in towel prints.

•  Print & Pattern
•  Trend Research
•  Texture Experts
 Functional Communication
 Manufacturing Minded

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DESIGN STRATEGISTS

The Brands
We Serve

The Brands We Serve

Our Services

Strategic Design

Market Research

Trend Forecasts

Consumer Insights

Brand Design

Architecture

Brand Marks

Assets

Guidelines

Packaging Design

Line Extensions & Refreshes

Limited Edition & Seasonal

New Concept

Benefit Iconography

Global, National & Private Label

Surface Design

Print & Pattern

Illustration

Emboss & Functional Cues

Limited Edition & Seasonal

Production Design

Adaptation Guidelines

All Panel Layouts

Mechanical Art Files & Rep Skus

Vendor Managed Services

Our Process

Design Thinking is the standard of how we work. It is defined as a non-linear, iterative process that our team uses to understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions to prototype and test. It is a highly collaborative, effective and relevant creative process that delivers with a purpose, drives quick decisions, improves speed to market and prevents costly rework. We begin with an upfront, extensive investigation which allows us to offer our clients the necessary clarification and definition that specifies desirable, feasible and viable design solutions. Along the way, we facilitate collaboration and integrate feedback early and at all stages of development. The result is focused design that places consumers at the heart of everything we do.

Our Team

We know that no project is the same! That is why our team is a group of unique individuals with a diversity of skills, talents and interests. This allows us to be nimble and accommodate each project needs. Whether you’re seeking a new brand refresh, reimagining your portfolio, needing print ready files or managing your brand assets, we will work as an extension of your team—pairing you with the right talent to get the job done.

DESIGN CONNECTION