Gleam: Crafting a Digital Home for Handmade Jewelry

Gleam: Crafting a Digital Home for Handmade Jewelry

🌟 Project Overview

Project Name: Gleam Role: UX/UI Designer Timeline: 1 Week Tools Used: Figma

Gleam is a small business that sells handmade jewelry. The goal of this project was to design a website that brings the warmth, elegance, and intimacy of handcrafted art into the digital space.

🔥 The Spark: A Vision for Something Special

The fictional founder of Gleam had a simple yet powerful goal​​​​​​​: create a space online that truly reflects the care and creativity behind each handcrafted piece of jewelry. She told me, "My jewelry is personal. I want my website to feel that way too."

That single sentence shaped everything that came next.

🚫 The Problem

Gleam needed more than an online store. It needed a complete experience:

✅ Tell the story behind each handcrafted item

✅ Build trust with first-time visitors

✅ Make shopping simple and joyful

✅ Reflect the warm, boutique feel of a real jewelry store

🌈 The Design Approach

My approach focused on three pillars:

💫 Visual Storytelling

High-quality imagery, soft fonts, and gentle transitions brought the emotion of Gleam's jewelry to life.

📲 Seamless Shopping Experience

Clean navigation, intuitive filters, and a three-step checkout process ensured users could browse and buy with ease.

🎨 Brand Personality

I used a warm, earthy color palette and micro-interactions to add subtle delight while reinforcing the handcrafted vibe.

The Impact (Fictional)

If this were a real project:

- 40% increase in orders due to easier navigation

- Visitors say: "It feels like shopping in a boutique!"

- Stronger brand trust and increased return visits

What I Learned

- How storytelling elevates user experience

- The power of micro-interactions in emotional branding

- How thoughtful UI choices create a premium feel for handmade products

Let's Work Together!

Creating this case study helped me explore how small businesses can shine online. If you’re looking for someone to design a thoughtful, beautiful experience for your brand—I’m here to help.

📧 Let’s chat about your project!

ashimiuamuda@gmail.com

Available for freelance UI/UX design gig and full-time roles.