How Happy Monday Creative approaches UX/UI, brand, illustration, and pattern design projects from start to finish.
Design Process for UX/UI, Brand, Illustration & Pattern Work
At Happy Monday Creative, every project begins with understanding — not assumptions. Whether the work involves UX/UI design, brand identity, illustration, or surface pattern design, the process is grounded in strategy, clarity, and thoughtful decision-making. My work is rooted in strategic UX/UI thinking that connects user needs with business goals.
This approach ensures creative work is not only visually compelling, but purposeful, usable, and built to solve real problems. Over 25+ years of experience across digital products, brand systems, and large-scale illustration projects have shaped a process that is both flexible and reliable.
I also frequently partner with agencies as a white-label design resource, providing senior-level UX/UI, brand, and illustration support when additional expertise is needed.
This design process guides every project — from UX/UI and brand systems to illustration, maps, and surface pattern design — ensuring work that is thoughtful, strategic, and built to last.
The Five Phases of Our Design Process
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Before any design begins, we step back to understand the bigger picture. Who is this for? What problem are we solving? What does success look like? This phase informs UX decisions, brand direction, and illustration style so that the work aligns with real goals, not guesses.
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In UX/UI and brand work especially, structure comes before aesthetics. User flows, content hierarchy, and system thinking guide the foundation of the project. Even illustration and pattern work follow this logic — ensuring visuals support the experience rather than decorate it.
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This is where visual storytelling comes to life. From interface design to brand identity to illustrated maps and patterns, every visual element is built with intention. Color, typography, composition, and illustration style all work together to communicate clearly and consistently.
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Great work happens through collaboration. Feedback, testing, and refinement are built into the process, allowing ideas to evolve into polished, effective solutions that feel aligned for everyone involved.
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Final deliverables are prepared with longevity in mind — design systems, organized files, scalable patterns, and assets that teams can confidently use long after the project is complete.