Grain & Co.
Grain & Co. is a multisensory design brand rooted in the art of material storytelling. Specializing in visual identity systems that transcend the flat and the digital, it reimagines branding through texture, tactility, and surface expression. The project was developed to address a gap in the current branding landscape: many modern visual identities lack a physical presence, creating an opportunity for a consumer appetite for authentic, tactile brand experiences.
Year
2025
Industry
Experiential Design, Industrial Design
Conentration
Branding, Product Design, Visual Identity
Duration
6 weeks
The brand's core idea arose from an analysis of the need to bridge the gap between physical materials and digital simulations, fostering an understanding of how materials convey emotions and values. This focus enables Grain & Co. to curate meaningful interactions, from pebbled leather and brushed steel to simulated velvet and soft gradients, across lifestyle objects, physical materials, and digital interfaces.
Field Research
This field research defines the framework for Grain & Co., a multisensory design brand focused on material storytelling and tactile brand experiences. It addresses the opportunity to create physical presence in a digitally saturated landscape, targeting design-conscious consumers who need authentic, high-quality material intelligence to bridge the digital and physical realms. The entire project aims to transform the brand identity through texture, tactility, and surface expression.
How might we?
How did I get here?
Research: Problem discovery, Understanding P2P Payments, Blockchains, and User Interviews.
Prototyping: Lo-fi sketches, User flows, Iterate quickly.
Design: Vibrant and youthful, Fairness-focused UI, Minimal and dynamic.
Testing: Usability testing, Feedback-driven, optimized engagement.
Industry Research
P2P payments in the U.S. are growing fast, but users still juggle multiple apps, such as Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App. These platforms don’t always talk to each other, causing friction. Blockchain is changing that. With its secure, decentralized infrastructure, it enables faster, cheaper, and more connected payments, no middlemen, no limits
User Research:
U.S.-based users, especially students, want one app that connects it all. They’re tired of switching platforms, dealing with delays, and worrying about fees. Users value simplicity, speed, and trust. Mesh meets these needs, bringing all P2P tools together with the power and transparency of blockchain.
P2P Money Transfers
PP2P money transfer apps have revolutionized how we handle our finances, making transactions quick, easy, and convenient. But how exactly do these apps work, especially when powered by blockchain? Here’s a brief overview:
Architechure Diagram: Blockchain-Based P2P flow
This diagram shows how Mesh enables secure, decentralized peer-to-peer payments using blockchain. The sender encrypts and signs the transaction, which is then verified and recorded by a blockchain network before reaching the receiver, ensuring transparency, immutability, and trustless exchange. Through user and market research, we found that while most users didn’t fully understand blockchain, they deeply valued what it enabled: fast, low-cost, and reliable transfers. This insight led us to design lx.mi with blockchain as the invisible engine, powering ethical, seamless money flow rooted in cultural values of fairness and abundance.
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