Cool Beans
Plant-based cooking workshop UX, branding and advertising campaign
ROLE
Conducted contextual inquiry user research (observation and interviews) to identify a key community pain point, leading to the development of a workshop concept as the proposed solution. Designed the workshop’s visual identity and promotional campaign across print and social media.
DESIGN BRIEF
Cool Beans was developed in response to anthropological research into Bristol’s plant-based community, with a focus on the Redfield and St George area. User research showed lack of diverse and nutritious plant-based options when dining out as a key pain point for this community. Such findings highlighted an opportunity to design a community workshop that could support local food businesses in improving their plant-based offerings, while strengthening collaboration between businesses and the local plant-based community. Aside from the design of the workshop experience, it was necessary to develop a distinctive visual identity that would help promote the project and increase its visibility amongst businesses and the plant-based community.
DATE
2025
UX, UCD, BRANDING & SOCIAL MEDIA
TOOLS
Illustrator, Canva, Premiere Pro, Figma
KEY RESULT
I designed an accessible and welcoming community cooking workshop concept. The workshop model was structured to create mutual value, rewarding volunteers for sharing their plant-based recipes with discounts, while supporting businesses improve their plant-based offerings and serving as a means of self-promotion.
A fun distinctive visual identity was developed to support the workshop, featuring a playful bean mascot to reflect the project's enthusiasm for tasty and exciting plant-based food. To drive awareness and participation, a series of online and offline promotional materials were designed to clearly communicate the benefits of taking part in the project, for both businesses and community volunteers.
01 User Research & Workshop UX
02 Visual identity
NAMING: To create an effective design project, it was necessary to give it a name that would help the local community identify the initiative. The name COOL BEANS refers both to legumes (a source of plant-based protein) and to an English expression that conveys enthusiasm. As such, it fits the workshop’s personality and is easy to remember.
VISUAL IDENTITY: consists of a mascot (a “cool”-looking bean) and a leafy texture that references plants. The green tones represent a connection to nature, while the pink represents commitment and adds a playful touch.
A stamp with the cool bean mascot was developed to help identify the business who take part in the workshop: Cool Beans Committed, and invite members of the plant-based community to try their new recipes.
03 Promoting the workshop
The workshop had two target audiences: local food businesses and members of the plant-based community.
Different marketing materials were created to encourage participation and awareness from each group including a flyer, poster, a promotional video for Instagram and social media posts.
Promotion to Local Business Owners
A flyer and an Instagram single post was designed targeting business owners of local pubs, restaurants, and cafés.
The design highlights the benefits of participating in the cooking workshop (like attracting new clients!) to encourage their involvement and motivate them to make their menus more plant-based friendly and exciting!
Promotion to the local plant-based community
To encourage members of the local plant-based community to take part in the workshops and teach their favourite recipes, the following promotional materials were created:
POSTERS: to be displayed in key neighbourhood locations, help reach members who are less "digital" native.
INSTAGRAM POST with a carousel highlighting the benefits Volunteers will enjoy if they collaborate in the workshops, achieving a wider reach and encouraging social sharing.
EMAIL DESIGN: a Welcome email will be sent to those who sign up, together with a follow-up email to confirm time/date for their next workshop.
VIDEO: a short promotional video was designed for social media (Instagram reel), presenting the project in a friendly and engaging tone to spark interest, boost participation and increase the project's visibility.
Project Credits
Workshop research, concept, visual identity and marketing applications (physical and digital) by Marta Andres as part of an Anthropology module at university (UOC)