About Project
Wander Glow is an elegant e-commerce website built for a handcrafted candle brand targeting mindful, design-conscious consumers. The project was a collaborative effort between my partner and me, with the aim of designing and launching a fully functional, mobile-responsive online store from scratch using Next.js and Figma. This project showcases my ability to combine visual design and development practices while aligning business strategy with user needs.
- Design a visually appealing, conversion-focused website for a lifestyle candle brand
- Ensure the site is fully responsive, accessible, and optimized for both mobile and desktop users
- Integrate key business tools like Google Analytics and Mailchimp for performance tracking and marketing
- Translate real-world user needs into functional design through research-backed decisions
Process
- Business & Market Research
- We began by conducting SWOT analysis, competitive research, and audience profiling to inform brand positioning. We also explored trends in direct-to-consumer product websites, identifying best practices in layout, storytelling, and usability.
- User Personas & Journey Mapping
- To guide design decisions, we created user personas and mapped out the customer journey—from discovery to checkout. These artifacts helped shape the content hierarchy and flow across the site.
- Design & Iteration
- As the lead designer, I created mood boards and multiple design iterations in Figma using pre-built Next.js components. I explored various versions of the homepage, product listing, and about page to find the best balance between aesthetics and usability. Feedback sessions with my partner helped refine the design direction and optimize user flow.
- Visual System & Branding
- I designed a visual system that reflects Wander Glow’s calming, minimalist brand identity—using soft, natural tones, custom icons, and refined typography to evoke warmth and trust.
- Front-End Collaboration
- While my partner handled most of the coding, I contributed as a secondary front-end developer, implementing key tools such as:
- Google Analytics for tracking user behavior and conversions
- Mailchimp integration for capturing newsletter signups and building a subscriber base I also assisted with basic layout adjustments and responsive testing.
- Testing & Launch
- We conducted responsive testing across devices and browsers to ensure a seamless experience. The final site was deployed on Vercel and optimized for performance and SEO.
Outcome
The result was a fully functional, mobile-friendly e-commerce website with a strong visual identity and smooth user flow. The project illustrates my ability to combine UX research, visual design, and front-end knowledge to bring a branded digital product to life.
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