Before starting this project, I didn’t realize how much thought actually goes into designing something as simple as a newsletter or a website. I’ve always seen brands like Dip Top Ice Cream as just fun and visual, but going through the process myself made me understand how intentional every decision really is.
The first step in my process was creating wireframes, which at first felt kind of pointless. They were super plain, just boxes, labels, and basic structure. But once I got into it, I realized they actually helped a lot. Instead of focusing on colors or images right away, I had to think about layout, hierarchy, and how someone would move through the design. It made me plan out where everything should go, like the header, sections, and images, before making it look good.
After that, I moved into creating the comps, which was definitely my favorite part. This is where everything started to come together. Since I’ve been rebranding Dip Top, I wanted the design to feel bright, summery, and a little nostalgic. I based everything around my “Strawberry Sunset” flavor of the month. I used soft pinks and red tones to keep it light and cohesive. I also focused on keeping the layout clean and easy to follow, especially in sections like the specials, where I used a grid to organize the content.
For the newsletter, I wanted it to feel like something people would actually open and enjoy, not just a piece of information. I included sections like the featured flavor, monthly specials, and a “Behind the Scoop” section to give the brand more personality. I tried to balance visuals with text, so it didn’t feel too crowded, and I made sure the most important content stood out first.
When designing the website mockup, I followed a similar structure but expanded it into a full scrolling page. I focused a lot on the header section because that’s the first thing people see. I made it bold and eye-catching, with Dip Tops strong headline. From there, I kept the flow consistent by repeating the same colors, fonts, and spacing throughout the rest of the page. This helped everything feel connected as one brand instead of separate pieces.
One thing I learned from this project is how important consistency is in design. Using the same colors, fonts, and style across both the newsletter and website made everything feel more professional and believable. I also realized how important spacing and alignment are because small details like that can make a big difference in how polished something looks.
Overall, this project helped me understand the full design process, from planning to final product. It showed me that good design isn’t just about making something look nice, but about creating something that is organized, intentional, and easy for people to engage with. Working on Dip Top made the process more fun, and it felt like I was creating something real instead of just an assignment.