Strategic design meets thoughtful storytelling. This portfolio showcases a selection of brand, communication, and campaign work—created to connect, engage, and inspire.
Busy Bee Honey is a conceptual small-batch honey brand I created to explore sustainable storytelling, product-led branding, and editorial-style design. For this project, I designed a print-ready brand magazine that could be included in product shipments, used as a seasonal guide, or stocked in local boutiques.
The goal was to create a thoughtful, well-paced editorial piece that blends product storytelling with educational and lifestyle content—celebrating the values of slow living, sustainability, and everyday rituals.
THE CHALLENGE
To create an editorial piece that tells the story of Busy Bee Honey through rich visuals and thoughtful writing. The challenge was to ensure it felt informative but warm, aligning with the brand’s values while also guiding customers through the product experience in a compelling way.
MY ROLE
Concept development and visual direction
Layout design and editorial structure
Brand storytelling and copywriting
Product photography curation or art direction
Iconography and info design
Typography and hierarchy
Visual Identity & Brand Direction
The visual identity of Busy Bee Honey was designed to feel warm, approachable, and grounded in nature. A soft, honey-toned palette pairs with calming hues like cream, sage, and smoky walnut to evoke a sense of comfort and simplicity. Typography combines hand-drawn san serif headlines and script for a personal, artisanal touch. Gentle textures and delicate illustrations: like wildflowers, bees, and honeycomb patterns bring depth and nostalgia to the brand, creating a visual experience that feels as thoughtful as the product itself.
Editorial Structure & Content Plan
The product guide was structured like a seasonal lifestyle magazine, part storytelling, part catalog. Pages were planned to offer a rich reader experience while showcasing the full range of Busy Bee’s offerings. A welcome letter from the founder set the tone, followed by curated features like “Meet the Hive” with tasting notes, recipe ideas, and pairing suggestions. Educational pages on sustainability, pollinator health, and slow beekeeping added depth, while extras like a seasonal planting guide and coupon insert encouraged reader interaction and brand connection beyond the page.
Tone of Voice & Copy Style
Busy Bee’s voice was crafted to feel like a friendly expert—knowledgeable, poetic, and grounded. The tone uses nature-inspired language and gentle rhythms to make content feel both comforting and informative. From full-page features to tiny details like microcopy (“Sweet Tip,” “Buzz of the Season”), the writing balances lyrical storytelling with practical advice. The result is a brand voice that invites readers in, makes learning feel personal, and turns even a jar of honey into a story worth savoring.
Moodboard / Inspiration
A visual foundation rooted in the English countryside: lavender fields, honey drizzles, sun-washed textures, and simple handmade beauty. These references capture the botanical, handcrafted, and rooted spirit of Busy Bee Honey Co.
Logo Development
The brand identity pairs a bold, organic logotype with charming hand-drawn bees and wildflowers. Together, these elements create a timeless yet playful aesthetic that feels as thoughtful as the honey inside each jar.
Color Palette & Typography
Warm and grounded, the color palette evokes the natural surroundings of the Gloucestershire farm—sunshine yellow, butterscotch, wild greens, and smoky walnut. Typefaces combine rustic personality with modern clarity, balancing storytelling charm with editorial polish.
Editorial Product Guide
This editorial guide captures the essence of Busy Bee Honey Co., blending the art of storytelling with the natural beauty of the brand. From the heartfelt introduction by Clara to the sustainable practices behind the business, every page reflects the care and dedication that goes into producing their honey. The design is infused with warmth, nature-inspired elements, and a personal touch, highlighting the connection between the product and the land it comes from. This guide serves not only as a tool for understanding the brand but also as a celebration of the simplicity and charm that defines Busy Bee Honey Co.
REFLECTIONS & RESULTS
This project allowed me to explore the intersection of editorial design, content strategy, and brand voice. It pushed me to think holistically, from the way pages flow to how microcopy supports the reader’s journey. Busy Bee Honey represents the kind of thoughtful, purpose-driven work I love to create, where story, sustainability, and beautiful design come together in harmony.
