branding | packaging | marketing | interior design | conceptualization
Fettle mending cafe is a coffee shop at which people are educated about sustainability, & provided space and resources to mend their own clothing. This project is my graphic design senior capstone. The concept stems from a personal interest in sustainability, research about fast fashion waste, as well as research about local coffee shops.
Background Research
The basis of this project was researching overarching issues on global, national, and local levels. Globally, I chose to focus on one of the United Nations 17 Goals for Sustainable Development - responsible consumption and production. When researching this topic, I found staggering data about fast fashion waste and its global effects.
On a local level, I took interest in community spaces, researching local coffee shops and giving out surveys to determine what an ideal space would look like.
The Idea
Combining these topics I came up with Fettle, a cafe that provides a communal space for people to learn about mending and reduce their personal textile waste. The shop would provide an intentional space for people to sit down and have a drink and use communal materials to help fix their clothing. It would serve as a location for community events, such as classes and partnerships with local craft groups, as well as a place for someone to drop by to simply grab a coffee and a treat.
The Goals
- create a welcoming communal space
- inform/educate people on mending, sustainability, & the advantages of reusing and upcycling
- encourage community participation in sustainable fashion
Conceptualization
fettle (verb) - to trim or clean the rough edges, to make or repair
Service Blueprint
The service blueprint outlines the experience of an average customer at Fettle.
The Mending Kit
Why Hand Mending? Fettle would have a primary focus on hand mending, as it is quiet, personal, creative, and there are many approaches style-wise.
The Mend-it Kit is a pre portioned kit of supplies that can be sold in store as a quick and easy way for people to access the supplies to mend most general clothes. It is risograph printed using soy-based ink on kraft paper to ensure that the packaging can be composted when it is done being used. The kit would be sold in the cafe.
Website and Marketing
The Space
The interior of Fettle is based on survey research of ideal coffee shops in Bozeman. I gave out a survey to 28 people in five local coffee shops. They expressed their desire for a bright and cozy environment with a focus on balancing group and personal seating. I incorporated these ideas into a space that also serves as room to host community mending events.
