Brella: Translating High-Design Brick and Mortar into a Beautiful App Experience

Part of the fun of designing apps for our clients is translating the aesthetics, values and mission of a company into their unique software experience. When it came to working with women-owned childcare startup Brella, the inspiration and palette we had to draw from was truly a work of art.

Founded by Darien Williams and Melanie Wolff, Brella is an LA-based childcare center where families can use the Brella app to book hourly drop-in childcare with added options for workspace and classes. The company focuses on not only offering high-quality, truly-flexible childcare but doing so in beautiful, imaginative, and flowing spaces that address both child and parent needs. In a recent article in award-winning architecture and design magazine de zeen, Brella was praised for its bold colors, playful design touches, and mindfully-curated spaces. (see more photos of Brella)

When Darien and Melanie came to us about designing their app, we knew it was paramount to introduce users to the beauty and high-design of Brella’s brick and mortar before they ever stepped foot in the building. We aimed to created an equally stunning and efficient interface that drew clients into the company’s aesthetic immediately.

Before we began designing the software, Melanie and Darien showed us their architectural plans and interior designs for the space. We worked with them to make sure their digital space spoke the same languages and communicated the same values, and in the case of the illustrations, we were able to secretly set up a question that is answered when you arrive.

Throughout the app, we placed illustrations of kids climbing and playing and of parents working and parenting. When users walk into the center, they see that these illustrations are all individual parts of a single mural, or a single story of Brella families, that covers the entire wall of the front desk and lounge areas at the center. The world of the app comes to life on the walls of the center.

It is a pleasure to work with clients like Brella to create beautiful, efficient, and joyful experiences. We are proud of how Brella’s digital and physical realities harmonize. To read more about the Brella app and our design process for this project, check out their client profile here.

Link to de zeen article: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/12/08/brella-childcare-los-angeles/