Capstone Project

Brave Like Me

As a graphic design student with a psychology minor, I sought to merge the two and create Brave Like Me—a heartwarming children’s book featuring seven lovable animal characters, the Brave Buddies, each navigating a unique mental health experience.

Mental health is something I've always hoped to de-stigmatize. To better understand how to approach it meaningfully, I conducted a survey exploring concerns around mental health representation. With nearly 60 participants, 53.8% reported having experienced mental health challenges, yet 61.5% didn’t feel a genuine connection to the entertainment they consumed. This reinforced my goal for Brave Like Me to foster deeper recognition and belonging. Through the Brave Buddies, children and caregivers can reflect emotionally—seeing their experiences not as flaws, but as strengths.

Unlike other works, Brave Like Me builds lasting relationships with its characters, inviting readers to grow alongside them. The series creates a community where design becomes movement.

TOOLS: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Snap lens studio

Owls are nocturnal, linking naturally to sleep issues.

Sloths move slowly and sleep a lot, symbolizing low energy and withdrawal.

Puppies are energetic, easily distracted, and impulsive.

Bees are structured, organized, and routine-driven.

Bunnies are alert, jumpy, and easily startled.

Foxes are clever but unpredictable—representing mood swings.

Chameleons adapt and see the world differently, like dyslexic thinkers.

In developing the Brave Buddies,I drew inspiration from children’s book illustrations that feature simple, geometric designs complemented by select organic shapes. I curated a bright color palette to evoke a youthful, energetic tone and applied it consistently across all seven characters. To maintain a sense of neutrality and universality, I intentionally avoided detailed facial expressions. This allows readers to project their own emotions onto the characters, fostering a more personal, authentic connection.

The overall style of the book is minimal, clean, and cohesive, with consistent illustration throughout. The writing is tailored to a K–2nd grade audience, using an empowering and accessible tone. To help further de-stigmatize mental health, I intentionally avoided using the term “mental health disorder” where possible. I view mental health as a shared human experience—not something abnormal or indicative of weakness. Additionally, all characters were designed as non-binary, allowing children to connect with them based on emotion rather than gender. This sense of neutrality was central to my goal of fostering an authentic emotional connection between the readers and the story.

#12163F

#EF3E4F

#FEEC90

#8AD3DB

#8476B7

#CEDE59

@brave_like.me

To build momentum ahead of the book’s launch, I created a series of promotional instagram posts aimed at engaging parents and guardians. Each post was thoughtfully designed to reflect the visual identity of the book, incorporating its established color palette and patterns to ensure a cohesive and recognizable brand presence.

The Snapchat lens serves as an interactive feature designed to help children engage more closely with the characters. I created a custom frame featuring one of the Brave Buddies, allowing kids to take photos as if they were meeting the character in person—bringing a playful, meet-and-greet experience to life through augmented reality.

To enrich the experience for children, I wanted to provide a tangible takeaway, as tactile elements are especially meaningful at a young age. Bookmarks featuring each of the seven Brave Buddies offered a realistic and engaging solution, allowing children to choose their favorite character. On the back of each bookmark is a personalized note from the character, sharing how they live bravely through their own experiences—offering encouragement and inspiration to the reader.

Looking ahead, I hope Brave Like Me can grow into a broader campaign that supports mental health awareness within school communities. The vision includes partnering with educators and community groups to foster connection and peer support. As a fun and tangible extension of the series, I also plan to create plush versions of the Brave Buddies, giving children a physical way to connect with the characters and their stories.

DEMO REEL →