TRU RED™ Expert Guidance
Notebook Collection for Staples
OVERVIEW
Staples, the leading office retailer, was looking for a way to innovate in the notebook category, a best-selling yet crowded space. The goal was to develop a unique product collection that introduces new features and provides guidance for all notetakers while establishing Staples’ unique POV in the category, informed by why people take notes and what they do with them through human-centered research and co-design.
ROLE
Product Designer
Product Strategy, User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping
& Testing, Pitching
With Birsel+Seck
Inspired by the notetaking styles of da Vinci and Darwin, there's a notebook that's perfect for you. So no matter how you jot down ideas,you'll find a journal that helps elevate them.
Insights from Research
There are different kinds of note-taking objectives:
- learning and retaining,
- creating and explaining,
- documenting and reminding
People need guidance
Note-taking expands your mind
Note-taking stimulates
- mental well-being
- organizes thoughts
- advocates reflection
- helps process
To solve this need, we have focused our primary experience design on the physical product and have bridged this experience into the digital world.
Your story begins virtually, where you can check which note-taking style best suits your specific needs. Once determined, you will be transported back into the real world, where you can start creating your own stories with a pen and notebook in hand.
Opportunity Area
How might we create a note-taking system that provides the notetaker with guidance through both a physical product experience, as well as a digital one?
User Groups
Creative Professionals
Designers, writers, artists, dancers, bloggers, filmmakers, photographers, art directors...
Business Professionals
Managers, consultants, C-level, entrepreneurs...
Education
Students, teachers, professors, researchers, scientists...
Everyday Life
Life coaches, parents, planning experts...
all of whom have unique needs, tasks & goals to accomplish...
Design Principles
Stimulation
It will help you expand your mind with its note-taking tools and systems
Inclusion
Note-taking tools and guidance is not just for students, business professionals, or creatives
- it is for everyone
Personalization
Staples recognizes that everyone has their own note-taking style and helps accomplish goals and tasks by personalizing each experience
Mental Wellness
Note-taking evokes mindfulness and helps note takers remain present while keeping perspective. It presents an opportunity for emotional catharsis and helps the brain regulate emotions. It provides a greater sense of confidence and self-identity.
A debut store brand product collection that combines beautiful materials with useful features, content, and guidance to help all notetakers retain information, create new ideas, and take action - from creatives to list masters to writers. We believe that note-taking expands our minds and helps us gain mental clarity.
TRU RED™ is specifically designed to help note-takers gain mental clarity and guide them through their note-taking journey. This product line bridges everyday notes and in-depth journaling to promote mental well-being.
Product Development
4 Ways, Same Goal
STARTER JOURNAL SERIES
Perfect for to-doers, goal-setters, and new notetakers.
EXPLORE JOURNAL SERIES
Perfect for creators, ideators, and notetaking trailblazers.
MASTERY JOURNAL SERIES
Perfect for experienced scribers and next-level notetakers.
POCKET JOURNAL SERIES
Perfect for on-the-spot brainstormers and on-the-go notetakers.
Connecting the Digital with the Physical
STEP 1
The online tool helps you determine which journal is best suited for you.
STEP 2
You purchase your notebook and in it, you will find guiding principles that will accompany you throughout your entire notebook journey. Even when you think you're ready to finalize and close your book.
