Made Home Web Design

Made Home is designed as a digital marketplace highlighting NYC local food artisans by combining e-commerce with storytelling. The core principle is to offer a clear, engaging, and accessible platform that showcases the craftsmanship and unique qualities of homemade products. The design draws inspiration from community-driven marketplaces and aims to connect small-scale makers with broader audiences through an intuitive and visually rich experience.

The main focus was to create an intuitive and visually engaging platform that makes discovering and purchasing local homemade food products easy and enjoyable. The design aimed to balance functionality with storytelling to highlight each artisan's unique offerings. Ultimately, the goal was to foster a stronger connection between consumers and small-scale food makers by enhancing accessibility and user experience.

Future plans include expanding the platform's features to support broader categories of handmade goods and integrating more community engagement tools. There is also a focus on enhancing personalization and scalability to better serve both artisans and consumers, ensuring the design remains adaptable for evolving user needs and market trends.

The idea for Made Home was sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I witnessed many small businesses closing their doors. One particular story stood out: a former bakery owner in Brooklyn who began selling her homemade bread from her home. I was moved by her resilience and creativity, and it made me wonder how more people could discover and support makers like her.While farmers markets and local artisan pop-ups thrive offline, I noticed a lack of digital platforms tailored for these kinds of small-scale food producers. I was inspired by the connection these vendors create in person – through handmade products and personal stories – and wanted to translate that warmth into a digital experience.As I researched, I found that most e-commerce platforms focus heavily on transactions and often overlook the emotional value of buying locally made products. That’s when the idea of combining commerce with storytelling became central. I wanted to create a space where users could not only shop, but also understand the people and processes behind each product. The design focused on using layout, photography, and typography to elevate each artisan’s voice, while maintaining a smooth and intuitive shopping experience.

User behavior research played a key role in shaping the visual hierarchy and navigation of Made Home. I studied how people browse and interact with online marketplaces, especially those looking for local or handmade goods. Many users want quick access to product information but also appreciate storytelling when it is presented in a non-intrusive and visually appealing way.This insight led me to design a layout that allows for seamless scanning while embedding moments of narrative. I prioritized clear navigation with consistent placement of menus, filters, and product categories to reduce friction and create familiarity. I also looked into how users make purchase decisions and noticed that emotional cues such as photos of makers or short backstories greatly influenced engagement. So I structured the interface to let those elements stand out without disrupting the overall shopping flow.

The inspiration to center each artisan’s story came from witnessing how deeply people connect with the individuals behind the products. During the early stages of the pandemic, I saw many small business owners lose their storefronts, yet some found new ways to keep going from their own homes. One story that resonated with me was a former bakery owner in Brooklyn who started selling bread from her kitchen. Her story was powerful, and I realized that people are often drawn not just to what is made but to who made it and why.This shaped my design process from the beginning. I focused on building a structure where storytelling would feel natural and integrated into the browsing experience. Each product page includes space for a short narrative, photos of the maker, and design elements that support personal connection. I approached the interface not just as a catalog, but as a storytelling tool that builds trust and community through visual and emotional cues.