Kind Brains
The first three months of a baby’s life lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Kind Brains was created to help parents and caregivers make the most of this exciting window—fostering connection, curiosity, and growth in both baby and caregiver. Collaborating with local pediatricians at Bakersfield Pediatrics and child brain development expert Deborah McNelis of Brain Insights, I helped develop a structured curriculum and video lessons designed to make complex neuroscience feel simple, accessible, and actionable.
Alongside curriculum development, we built the Kind Brains brand identity around connection and discovery—embracing the joy of learning and the wonder of early development. The design fosters engagement, warmth, and exploration, inviting parents to dive into new knowledge and build a deeper bond with their baby in a safe, supportive space.
Though the project was never fully realized, it remains a testament to how thoughtful design and education can come together to empower parents—turning science into an intuitive, exciting journey of connection and discovery.
Brand & Visual Identity
Product Design
Content Design
Curriculum Design
Branding & Brand Book
To bring Kind Brains to life, we crafted a brand identity centered on connection, discovery, and growth. The squiggly logo mark represents both neural pathways and the bond between parent and child, while the jumbled letterforms reflect the movement, unpredictability, and excitement of early development. A warm, nature-inspired color palette balances trust and playfulness, reinforcing the brand’s optimistic, supportive tone.
Beyond aesthetics, this first branding exercise served a functional purpose—establishing a clear visual foundation that streamlined content development, guided product strategy, and ensured consistency across platforms. Every design choice was made to make complex neuroscience more enjoyable and create an experience that feels engaging, intuitive, and empowering for new parents.
Video Lessons
My first project for Kind Brains was an introductory video, laying the groundwork for the program. From there, I scripted and produced 15 educational videos, designed to help parents support their baby’s brain development with confidence.
Collaborating with Deborah McNelis of Brain Insights, I ensured the content was both scientifically accurate and easy to understand. We also conducted user testing with new and expecting moms, using their feedback to refine clarity and engagement.
To make learning hands-free, we used Deborah’s voice for the initial voiceovers. This project blended research, storytelling, and design to create something both insightful and approachable for parents.
Product Design
With new and expecting parents at the heart of Kind Brains, we knew accessibility was key. Through user testing, we found that while parents wanted expert guidance, they needed a way to seamlessly integrate learning into their busy routines.
I led the initial concept for the Kind Brains app, designing an experience that prioritizes flexibility and ease of use. To reduce screen time while still providing valuable support, we shifted from video-based lessons to short-form audio, inspired by parents who preferred podcasts. A night mode was also introduced after users shared they often listened while their baby slept.
One of the biggest design challenges was balancing digital support with Kind Brains’ core value of reducing screen time. Through market and user research, we found the solution: give parents control. The app allows users to choose between screen-based engagement or an audio-only experience, reinforcing a core belief of Kind Brains—parents are capable, intuitive, and know what’s best for their families. Our role is to support, not dictate.
Curriculum Design
Parents barely have time to eat, let alone dive into three months of lessons. But what if they only needed 10 minutes? That question reshaped Kind Brains.
Partnering with baby brain development expert Deborah McNelis, I condensed over 100 lessons into eight core values—boiling down the science into key takeaways parents could absorb in the time they had. From there, we created a scalable structure: a flexible first-day introduction, a one-week deep dive, and an extended three-month curriculum for those who wanted more. This approach made Kind Brains not only practical and adaptable but also more marketable—ensuring parents could engage at their own pace, whether they had 10 minutes or three months.
