For the Girl Dinner project, I orchestrated a complete event experience in response to the 2023 TikTok trend, encompassing planning, hosting, and branding. I created a cohesive aesthetic through custom designs for invitations, a logo, menus, and a gifted matchbox. Beyond the digital design elements, I curated the table layout, prepared all the food, and curated the event atmosphere, all while adhering to a strict $100 budget and coordinating with guests' schedules.
The goal for Girl Dinner was to push myself creatively while still having fun in a setting where I could share my passion with others to also enjoy. I wanted everyone to feel welcomed and as well as elevated from our usual take out dinner plans.
The main challenge for this project was creating branding for an event from scratch while sticking to a strict budget. While I started brainstorming for the event I was faced with my first personal design project without any guidelines or requirements outside of the budget. Although I enjoyed full creative freedom, it made me realize I strive in collaborative settings.
Included on this page
Inspiration
Process
Mockups
Final Design
Inspiration
I originally was inspired the second I saw my new apartment. The space immediately jumped out at me for its aesthetic potential. I then took inspiration from certain aesthetics and brands such as LISA SAYS GAH and delicate themes. Ribbons, candlelight, and fresh flowers pushed the general theme for the project.
Process
For the tangible aspects of the party, I thrifted many vases, candles, and ribbons that encapsulated the general aesthetic and played around with different arrangements to create the most welcoming environment possible. For the invitation, menu, and postcard I wanted to incorporate the doodles that I played around with throughout my sketching as shown in the video to create a cohesive feel throughout all the different uses of media.
Mockup
Final
The biggest takeaway from this project was time management and trusting my design vision with no outside critique because this was a personal project done in my own time. I also wanted to make sure it still felt genuine for the girls invited which included a "no phones" moment throughout the night to further engage in each other's presence. For the guest, I also set up the hanging flower garland to take photos in front of so each guest could create their content in the decorated space. I enjoyed hosting and designing this event all while sticking to a hundred dollar budget including decor and food.
