Well Armed Projects
Creative Ammunition
Overview
I wanted to challenge myself by applying my design skills to turn some of my passions into a business. The vision was to create a streetwear brand that embodied the ethos of being well-armed with creativity, knowledge, hustle, and community. It started as an accessory brand, fusing elements of sneakerhead culture, 90's rap, and Bay Area influence to create unique pieces that resonate with an intended target market of similar interests.
Role
Brand Owner / Creative Director
Outcome
Working on Well Armed Projects pushed me to deepen my knowledge in typography, color theory, and graphic design while learning the complexities of running a business on the fly. I had to learn about marketing strategies, consumer engagement, and vendor relationships. Designing across various mediums honed my understanding of different materials and printing techniques. Balancing creativity with market trends, community needs, and marketing insights, I developed a more agile and adaptable approach. This journey significantly enhanced not only my design skills but also my business acumen.
Projects
Each item produced for Well Armed (Projects) was categorized as a "project" strategically designed to resonate with the brands target audience. Here's how the catalog evolved.
Well Armed began with accessories. The first phone cases launched were influenced by iconic sneaker models. These accessories gave our customers a way to carry a piece of their favorite sneaker culture in their daily lives. The elephant print was by far the most popular design.
Next, we introduced keychains - another nod to the sneaker culture that inspires us. Our customers appreciated these, viewing them as an accessible way to express their affinity for our community along with some additonal utility.
We then expanded our accessory line with the introduction of snapbacks. Taking cues from local Bay Area sports teams, we incorporated elements of their design into ours, creating snapbacks that were a perfect blend of sports culture and our unique brand aesthetic.
Finally was the project to supply the demand of apparel starting with t-shirts. Each design a reflection of the brands values and influences including sneaker culture, hip-hop, and local bay area themes.
Ultimately what I've learned, by Well Armed diversifying the product range it opened avenues to a wider audience and showed me firsthand the power of a strong community in propelling a brand's growth. Shifting gears from an accessory-focused brand to an all-encompassing streetwear label has been an enriching experience, prompting me to elevate my design skills. At its core, designing products that resonate with our community has been key to my evolution as a designer and increased my cache of creative ammunition.
