Case Study
Spruci
Brand, Product Concept & Creative Direction
Project Overview
Spruci is a modular living green-wall system currently in development, designed to introduce greenery into compact, modern spaces. The project began as a self-initiated concept and developed into an ongoing commercial product following a competition win. As the project has progressed, my role has shifted from early product concept development toward brand, marketing and creative direction.
The Brief
Develop a modular green wall system with a strong, scalable identity that balances sustainability, functionality and visual appeal, while building a brand capable of supporting future marketing activity, digital products and user engagement.
STRIDE Competition
Spruci was selected as a winning project in the STRIDE competition, run by The Innovation Experts in Plymouth. This recognition helped validate the concept and allowed the project to move beyond early ideation. The competition win provided support and access to a dedicated team, enabling further development of the product toward potential manufacture.
My Role
During the initial concept phase, I was the sole designer, responsible for defining the product vision, system logic and overall creative direction.
Following the STRIDE competition win and the formation of a wider product team, my role evolved. While I no longer lead detailed product design, I now focus on:
- Brand identity & visual direction
- Marketing and content design
- Creative direction across digital and physical touchpoints
- Early-stage thinking around a companion app
This shift reflects the project’s progression from early concept work into commercial development.
Product Design & Development
During the development stage, I refined the initial idea into a more
resolved product concept, focusing on both system functionality and visual clarity. This involved
exploring how the modular system could operate across different environments while remaining practical,
cohesive and approachable.
Through iterative design and refinement, I focused on making the system easy to understand and use,
while keeping the overall design visually simple and considered. This process helped establish a strong
foundation for later technical development.
Brand & Identity
Alongside the product concept, I developed the Spruci brand identity to
reflect values of sustainability, simplicity and modern living. The identity was designed to feel
natural, approachable and reassuring, supporting the aim of making living green walls more accessible to
everyday homes rather than feeling exclusive or technical.
A flexible brand system was created to ensure consistency across digital platforms, marketing materials
and future physical applications. In line with the wider brand strategy, the visual language positions
Spruci as a friendly and informative guide, helping build user confidence through clarity, education and
a supportive tone. This approach allows the brand to grow alongside the product while remaining
recognisable and easy to engage with.
Current Status & Future Plans
The project is currently focused on securing further funding to support the transition from concept development into manufacturing. This next phase will involve refining the product for production, including material choices, manufacturing processes and scalability considerations.
Alongside this, a marketing strategy is being developed to build awareness ahead of launch. This includes the creation of social media content to communicate the product’s values, functionality and potential use cases.
Future plans also include the development of a companion app to support user interaction with the green-wall system. The app would allow users to manage their personal setup, with information on plant configurations, watering schedules, temperature and environmental conditions, helping create a more informed and engaging user experience.