case study : design

The Today Show - The Complete A-to-Z of Skin Care

Overview

The Today Show ran a series of alphabetized articles on skin care called “The Complete A-to-Z Guide to Skin Care”. The series features a set of illustrated alphabet, with each letter representing a topic on skin care. Full article and illustrations can be seen here - https://www.today.com/style/skin-care-glossary

TASK

I was asked to design the set of illustrated letters, which should be legible, fun, and clearly address the topic it represents. They also have to look coherent in color and style when viewed all together.

A - Acids & Actives

B - Blackheads

C - CBD Oil

D - Dermaplaning

E - Expiration Dates

F - Free Radicals

G - Gluten-free

H - Hyaluronic Acid

I - Ingestibles

J - Japanese Skin Care

K - Korean Skin Care

L - Laser & LED

M - Microneedling

N - Natural, Organic & Clean

O - Oils

P - Probiotic & Prebiotic

Q - Quit Overdoing It

R - Retinol

S - Serum

T - Toner

U - UVA & UVB

V - Vegan

W - Water

X - Exfoliation

Y - Your Skin Type

Z - Zero Waste

Process

I pitched 3 styles in the initial stage of the project. For each style I included a completed color version for one letter, as well as black and white sketches for the rest of the alphabet. The concepts for each letter are the same across all 3 styles, so that the stylistic differences would be clear for client. The 3 styles are based on different typefaces, and range from more legible to more illustrative.

Outcome

The client chose the more legible, sans serif approach. Illustrations are contained mostly within the letter shape. Illustrative elements such as the liquid shapes are used throughout the set, reminiscent of skin care products. The final alphabet set is featured on today.com.