ABOUT THE STUDIO

Our Story

It all started when Camille needed a portfolio website…

In 2018, Camille was studying visual communication design and needed to build her first ever design portfolio. She explored DIY website builder platforms and was instantly fascinated by the powerful, accessible tools enabling anyone to turn designs into live, interactive experiences.

Camille quickly took a deep interest in their potential to promote digital equity, communication, and creativity within her community, a small city away from big tech hubs.

Then, small retail businesses had to sell online…

Inspire Me South Bend. Photo by Camille.

From 2018-2020 Camille worked with a startup who’s core product was initially envisioned as a 360° shopping experience for small business boutique storefronts. During the pandemic, the platform pivoted to help boutiques launch and manage online sales.

Camille built and supported over 12 e-commerce websites from March through December of 2020, mainly helping small business owners migrate existing online inventory to Shopify, a user-friendly DIY e-commerce website builder platform.

Artist friends wanted their online print shops updated

Camille holding an art print by Scott Erickson.

Camille holding an art print by Jacob Titus.

By January of 2021, the startup Camille was working with had closed its doors and Camille was in search of a job. With few leads for a full time design roles amidst the pandemic, Camille took on her first freelance website projects in the meantime. She created and updated Shopify digital storefronts for artist friends selling their work in the form of prints, canvases, and the like.

More websites with new friends!

Photo and mural by Alex Ann Allen.

Through friends, and her first freelance projects, Camille met other artists looking for accessible and sustainable ways to showcase and sell their work online.

For two years, from 2020-2023, Camille planned, designed, and built Squarespace, Shopify, and Webflow websites collaboratively with friends and clients.

Motivated by the unique challenges and unmatched grit of the small businesses and independent artists she worked with, Camille spent eight months with a startup studio, INVANTI, digging deeper through 50+ interviews and secondary research to better understand the unmet needs of this resilient group.

6 Years in, we’re just getting started!

We’re more energized than ever about design and accessible, user-friendly technology driving growth in local communities. What started as a small creative experiment has grown into a practice shaped by trust, collaboration, and a whole lot of learning.

We’re glad to continue building alongside our friends and neighbors who make this work so meaningful!