Beyond client work: projects driven by curiosity and purpose

Not every meaningful project begins with a client brief.

Some start with an idea you can’t quite let go of. Others grow from a personal interest, a problem you’d like to solve, or simply the desire to create something different.

Over the years, I’ve worked on several projects outside my regular client work. They gave me the freedom to experiment, explore unfamiliar territory, and take on responsibilities that extended far beyond design.

Three of them stand out for different reasons.

Artida — exploring creativity through illustration

Artida began as a space to explore illustration, character design and visual storytelling. I created a family of characters inspired by people, animals, places and everyday activities, combining education and entertainment for children and parents.

Without a client brief setting the direction, I could experiment with personalities, expressions, colour and different visual settings. A character could become part of a story, an animation, a postcard or a T-shirt. Each application gave me another way to explore how an illustration communicates.

The project also took me beyond drawing. I worked on the brand’s website, animation, social media and licensing, and collaborated with printing companies to turn the illustrations into physical products. The creative freedom came with the responsibility of making those different parts work together.

Looking back, Artida was a place to try things, develop a visual language and discover how far one idea could travel across different media.

Explore Artida in Earlier Work.

Planko — turning an idea into a physical product

Planko grew from a practical question: how could planning family life become simpler and more engaging for children as well as parents?

I developed a yearly family planner, called Družinski Planer, with a weekly calendar and a set of activity stickers. Parents could write down commitments, while children could use the stickers to take part in planning shared activities.

The work connected the initial idea, visual identity, page layouts and usability with the realities of a printed product. The calendar needed to be clear, the stickers easy to understand, and the whole experience inviting enough to become part of everyday life.

I also designed the website and communication around the planner and offered shipping. It was an opportunity to experience product development beyond the screen: not only how something looks, but how it is presented, delivered and used.

Explore Planko in Earlier Work — original entry in Slovenian.

Boston Terrier community — when a personal interest becomes a community

Some projects begin with a client brief. Others grow from something much more personal.

My involvement with the Boston Terrier community began with my love for the breed. What started as a personal interest gradually developed into a project that combined many of the things I enjoy doing professionally: web design, visual communication, content creation, and bringing people together.

I worked on the community’s website and communication materials, helping create a space where Boston Terrier owners and enthusiasts could find information, share experiences, and connect with one another.

An important part of the project was also raising awareness about responsible dog ownership and encouraging a better understanding of the breed.

What made this experience particularly meaningful was seeing those connections extend beyond the website. Community gatherings brought people and their dogs together in real life.

The project is no longer active, but it remains a meaningful part of my creative journey.

Looking back, it reminds me that some of the most rewarding projects aren’t measured by how long they remain active, but by the connections they create and the experiences they leave behind.

What these projects taught me

Artida, Planko and the Boston Terrier community gave me room to explore very different kinds of work: illustration, physical product development, digital communication and community-building.

Each started with a personal interest, but each asked me to think about other people. What would make a character understandable? How could a planner fit into family life? What information would help someone make a responsible decision about a dog?

That way of thinking still informs my work today. I start by trying to understand people and the context around them, then connect the disciplines that the project needs. Sometimes that means design on a screen. Sometimes it means a printed object or a reason for people to come together.

These projects remind me why I enjoy moving between those worlds: creating something with a purpose can take many forms.