Chicago, IL
Handfuls of Love Campaign
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
The Handfuls of Love campaign was created in partnership with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, inviting people to design and send digital Valentine's Day cards to patients who were spending the holiday in the hospital. The campaign aimed to bring joy, warmth, and comfort to young patients through heartfelt messages and thoughtful illustrations.
55.8%
INCREASE IN EMAIL CLICK RATE
35%
IMPROVED VISUAL ACCESSIBILITY
20.9%
LIFT IN ONLINE PURCHASES
01 challenge
Crafting something truly meaningful while navigating uncharted territory presented a key challenge. The task was not only designing digital cards but imbuing each one with genuine sentiment; ensuring the illustrations felt comforting and resonant, especially for children in medical care.
02 approach
Starting with pencil sketches, I explored the symbolism of teddy bears and how timeless they are as companions for children. Through multiple rounds of iteration, I refined the bear illustrations and Valentine motifs to create an emotional connection. These designs were then translated into polished digital cards and a branded landing page that reflected the campaign’s heartfelt tone.
03 results & reflection
- A branded landing page that served as the portal for people to select, customize, and send digital cards, which was styled consistently with the campaign’s visual themes.
- Advertising assets to promote the campaign across social media or partner channels, inviting participation and spreading awareness.
- A suite of digital Valentine cards featuring the teddy bear illustrations and messaging, designed to be heartfelt, relatable, and visually comforting
The Handfuls of Love campaign offered a fresh, touching way for individuals to express care and solidarity with children during a vulnerable moment. Designing beyond aesthetics reminded me how powerful thoughtful design can be. Particularly inspiring was realizing that small creative gestures, like a virtual Valentine, can create real, emotional impact.
