PRISMACOLOR+
PRISMACOLOR+
Redefining Prismacolor’s Digital Identity for a Drawing Education App
Redefining Prismacolor’s Digital Identity for a Drawing Education App
Prismacolor, a brand beloved by millions of artists worldwide, has long been the go-to for creatives seeking to bring their ideas to life. When they approached us with their vision for Prismacolor+, a video content app teaching drawing techniques with their colored pencil products, we saw an opportunity to revitalize their digital presence and engage a new generation of artists.
We set out to create a platform that offers an engaging experience to guide aspiring artists and spark their creativity throughout their artistic journey. The final product was designed and built for iOS and Android. Though it wasn’t launched, it marks the beginning of Prismacolor’s digital transformation.
Prismacolor, a brand beloved by millions of artists worldwide, has long been the go-to for creatives seeking to bring their ideas to life. When they approached us with their vision for Prismacolor+, a video content app teaching drawing techniques with their colored pencil products, we saw an opportunity to revitalize their digital presence and engage a new generation of artists.
We set out to create a platform that offers an engaging experience to guide aspiring artists and spark their creativity throughout their artistic journey. The final product was designed and built for iOS and Android. Though it wasn’t launched, it marks the beginning of Prismacolor’s digital transformation.
My Role
Design Lead
Tech lead, Backend Engineer
Simon Ingeson
Mobile (iOS) Engineer
Jay Canty
Mobile (iOS) Engineer
Sam Skinner
Mobile (iOS) Engineer
Richard Pressler
Mobile (Android) Engineer
Ivan Toplak
Mobile (Android) Engineer
Nestor Marsollier
Mobile (Android) Engineer
Phil Carlson
Backend Engineer
Ali Halim
Time
Sep 2023 to Jan 2024
Challenges
Challenges
We were tasked with transforming Prismacolor’s physical brand presence into a seamless digital app experience within nine months. The challenge was to preserve its brand essence while introducing digital innovations that stayed true to its identity. It was crucial to balance creative expression with the app's ability to handle complex content through a design that was approachable and easy to navigate.
We were tasked with transforming Prismacolor’s physical brand presence into a seamless digital app experience within nine months. The challenge was to preserve its brand essence while introducing digital innovations that stayed true to its identity. It was crucial to balance creative expression with the app's ability to handle complex content through a design that was approachable and easy to navigate.
Business Goals
Business Goals
By creating an app, Prismacolor aimed to evolve beyond being an art supply company, positioning itself as an innovative, forward-thinking brand that inspires artists and establishes itself as an industry leader in creative education. Through the app, it offers drawing lessons using Prismacolor products to demonstrate its expertise and drive product sales through digital channels.
By creating an app, Prismacolor aimed to evolve beyond being an art supply company, positioning itself as an innovative, forward-thinking brand that inspires artists and establishes itself as an industry leader in creative education. Through the app, it offers drawing lessons using Prismacolor products to demonstrate its expertise and drive product sales through digital channels.
Approach
Ran branding workshops to define design direction
We facilitated branding workshops to explore design direction. Together, we established a visual design language that aligned with brand attributes and elevated Prismacolor beyond its physical representation.
Prioritize and Design MVP Features
We worked together to define MVP values and identify essential features. Our goal was to deliver an impactful launch that provides immediate value and drives conversions, while setting the stage for future growth.
Define Content and Product Strategy
We collaborated with the Prismacolor team to develop a cohesive content and product strategy. This clarified lesson offerings and shaped an intuitive architecture that guides users in exploring and engaging with lessons.
Brought the app to life with agile teamwork
Over six months, we worked with a team of X developers in agile sprints to bring the app to life. By delivering production-ready designs and QA, we successfully launched the app on iOS and Android.
Approach
Ran branding workshops to define design direction
We facilitated branding workshops to explore design direction. Together, we established a visual design language that aligned with brand attributes and elevated Prismacolor beyond its physical representation.
Prioritize and Design MVP Features
We worked together to define MVP values and identify essential features. Our goal was to deliver an impactful launch that provides immediate value and drives conversions, while setting the stage for future growth.
Define Content and Product Strategy
We collaborated with the Prismacolor team to develop a cohesive content and product strategy. This clarified lesson offerings and shaped an intuitive architecture that guides users in exploring and engaging with lessons.
Defining Digital Identity
Defining Digital Identity
Our approach to Prismacolor+ was centered on balancing innovation with the brand's creative legacy. Every design decision was carefully made to elevate Prismacolor beyond its traditional boundaries, bridging the digital gap to deliver a more dynamic and engaging experience.
Our approach to Prismacolor+ was centered on balancing innovation with the brand's creative legacy. Every design decision was carefully made to elevate Prismacolor beyond its traditional boundaries, bridging the digital gap to deliver a more dynamic and engaging experience.
GRADIENT
Many people associate the CMYK gradient with the Prismacolor brand, and we wanted to maintain that strong, recognizable identity. We knew from the beginning that the gradient motif had to remain central to our brand. However, we expanded its flexibility by introducing new color combinations, making it more suitable and accessible for digital formats.
INTERACTIVE
We have introduced playful, interactive elements and animations to create moments of delight. Our goal is to use these moments to encourage users to explore and cultivate an environment that engages and inspire our users.
DARK THEME
Inspired by Prismacolor’s signature packaging, we expanded the brand’s identity through a dark-themed digital experience. Rather than using stark black, we introduced a range of grays to create a more sophisticated feel while still allowing the artwork and motifs to shine on screen.
GRADIENT
Many people associate the CMYK gradient with the Prismacolor brand, and we wanted to maintain that strong, recognizable identity. We knew from the beginning that the gradient motif had to remain central to our brand. However, we expanded its flexibility by introducing new color combinations, making it more suitable and accessible for digital formats.
INTERACTIVE
We have introduced playful, interactive elements and animations to create moments of delight. Our goal is to use these moments to encourage users to explore and cultivate an environment that engages and inspire our users.
DARK THEME
Inspired by Prismacolor’s signature packaging, we expanded the brand’s identity through a dark-themed digital experience. Rather than using stark black, we introduced a range of grays to create a more sophisticated feel while still allowing the artwork and motifs to shine on screen.
Appreciating the Products
Appreciating the Products
While the lessons are taught online, one of our key challenges was to create a sophisticated digital representation of Prismacolor’s iconic products—one that maintains their premium feel without appearing overly digital or artificial. It needed to look real enough for users to connect with, inspiring confidence in the product and encouraging purchase.
While the lessons are taught online, one of our key challenges was to create a sophisticated digital representation of Prismacolor’s iconic products—one that maintains their premium feel without appearing overly digital or artificial. It needed to look real enough for users to connect with, inspiring confidence in the product and encouraging purchase.
COLOR SWATCHES
Prismacolor's customers are deeply loyal to Prismacolor products and highly sensitive to color accuracy. We wanted users to experience the same depth and richness of color in the app as they do with the physical pencils. Through experimentation, we developed textured digital swatches that authentically replicate the look and feel of the color swatches featured on Prismacolor's distinctive packaging.
COLORED PENCILS
We carefully studied the colored pencils to capture their shape, texture, and tips, and then translated these details into digital components that seamlessly integrate across the app. Our goal is to provide users with a tactile experience on screen, allowing them to connect with the authenticity of the product and bridge the digital and physical worlds as they embark on their creative journey.
COLOR SWATCHES
Prismacolor's customers are deeply loyal to Prismacolor products and highly sensitive to color accuracy. We wanted users to experience the same depth and richness of color in the app as they do with the physical pencils. Through experimentation, we developed textured digital swatches that authentically replicate the look and feel of the color swatches featured on Prismacolor's distinctive packaging.
COLORED PENCILS
We carefully studied the colored pencils to capture their shape, texture, and tips, and then translated these details into digital components that seamlessly integrate across the app. Our goal is to provide users with a tactile experience on screen, allowing them to connect with the authenticity of the product and bridge the digital and physical worlds as they embark on their creative journey.
CELEBRATING ARTWORK
Celebrating artwork is a key theme we sought to highlight within the app. We encourage artists to upload and document their creative process, sharing their journey and appreciating each step. By fostering a community of inspiration and creativity, we aim for users to discover the full potential of Prismacolor products and the artistry they enable.
Celebrating artwork is a key theme we sought to highlight within the app. We encourage artists to upload and document their creative process, sharing their journey and appreciating each step. By fostering a community of inspiration and creativity, we aim for users to discover the full potential of Prismacolor products and the artistry they enable.
COLOR SWATCHES
Prismacolor's customers are deeply loyal to Prismacolor products and highly sensitive to color accuracy. We wanted users to experience the same depth and richness of color in the app as they do with the physical pencils. Through experimentation, we developed textured digital swatches that authentically replicate the look and feel of the color swatches featured on Prismacolor's distinctive packaging.
COLORED PENCILS
We carefully studied the colored pencils to capture their shape, texture, and tips, and then translated these details into digital components that seamlessly integrate across the app. Our goal is to provide users with a tactile experience on screen, allowing them to connect with the authenticity of the product and bridge the digital and physical worlds as they embark on their creative journey.
Inspire, Create, Celebrate
Inspire, Create, Celebrate
We understand that at the core of this app’s design lies a meaningful learning experience. Partnering closely with the Prismacolor team, we poured our creativity and expertise into creating a journey that brings true value to artists and inspires them to grow with confidence.
We understand that at the core of this app’s design lies a meaningful learning experience. Partnering closely with the Prismacolor team, we poured our creativity and expertise into creating a journey that brings true value to artists and inspires them to grow with confidence.
EXPLORE, INSPIRE
Starting out as an aspiring artist can feel intimidating, so we crafted an intuitive explore page that makes the journey approachable. Users can discover lessons by type, artist, or topic through visually distinct card carousels, each showcasing in-progress drawings that highlight the creative process's beauty and embrace imperfection. Every design element is thoughtfully chosen to reduce hesitation, making that first step feel inviting and accessible.
Starting out as an aspiring artist can feel intimidating, so we crafted an intuitive explore page that makes the journey approachable. Users can discover lessons by type, artist, or topic through visually distinct card carousels, each showcasing in-progress drawings that highlight the creative process's beauty and embrace imperfection. Every design element is thoughtfully chosen to reduce hesitation, making that first step feel inviting and accessible.
LEARN
With learning at the core, we set out to make our online learning experience feel engaging and supportive. We crafted a clear, intuitive lesson structure with chapter cards that allow aspiring artists to explore at their own pace. Each lesson consistently combines video tutorials and sketching exercises to create a natural, guided flow from learning to creating. Understanding that art is not a linear journey, we designed with flexibility in mind, giving users the freedom to revisit techniques or jump ahead to new skills.
CELEBRATE
Every accomplishment deserves recognition, which is why we’ve reserved vibrant colors and playful elements to celebrate each milestone. We use magenta from the Prismacolor palette to highlight achievements in progress bars and checkmarks, fostering a sense of pride. When a lesson is completed, we celebrate the moment with a cheerful achievement sheet featuring gradients and lively icons to make it truly exciting! These thoughtful details celebrate growth and inspire artists to fully embrace their creative journey.
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© Copyright CreativeOutsider 2025. All rights reserved.
Got a project? Get in touch at:
hello@thecreativeoutsider.com
© Copyright CreativeOutsider 2025. All rights reserved.
Got a project? Get in touch at:
hello@thecreativeoutsider.com
© Copyright CreativeOutsider 2025. All rights reserved.
Approach
Ran branding workshops to define design direction
We facilitated branding workshops to explore design direction. Together, we established a visual design language that aligned with brand attributes and elevated Prismacolor beyond its physical representation.
Prioritize and Design MVP Features
We worked together to define MVP values and identify essential features. Our goal was to deliver an impactful launch that provides immediate value and drives conversions, while setting the stage for future growth.
Define Content and Product Strategy
We collaborated with the Prismacolor team to develop a cohesive content and product strategy. This clarified lesson offerings and shaped an intuitive architecture that guides users in exploring and engaging with lessons.