What Are Our Design Principles?
With a background in art, one of the most rewarding parts of my work has been collaborating with Ourlyfe’s industrial designers and manufacturers.
When we first set out to create our unique first of its kind, plastic-free powdered hand wash, we had to establish clear design principles. Were we niche, ritualistic, mass-market, or purely utilitarian? In the spirit of health and wellness, incorporating a ritual element felt essential—handwashing is an everyday act of self care, and we wanted our powdered wash to become an intuitive part of that daily routine.
As a first of its kind product, our biggest challenge was changing handwashing behaviour. Instead of pumping liquid soap, we’re asking people to press for their soap—an extra step, yes, but one we hope people will embrace for the love of our planet.
Defining Our Aesthetic Language
Once our core principles were in place, we turned to our aesthetic language. Would Ourlyfe be quiet or bold? Active or functional?
Ultimately, we positioned ourselves as a functional, aesthetic brand with an active element. This naturally led us to the aesthetic of Modernism, where form meets function in a meaningful way. As a sustainable brand, our greatest inspiration came from nature itself.
Nature as Our Guide
Nature shapes our future. It brings art into our everyday lives. Our ingredients are naturally antibacterial plants, nourishing plant oils, and mineral-rich clays to cleanse and nurture the skin while also remaining in harmony with our earth.
Our founding design principles are rooted in the raw, organic beauty of nature, blending with the timeless elements of Modernism to create a product that is both artistic and functional.
But Ourlyfe wasn’t just inspired by nature—it was also born from deep reflection and personal challenge. In my previous natural and organic skincare business, I worked to eliminate harsh, irritating ingredients. Then came the struggles of running a business during COVID, which pushed us to evolve. We saw an opportunity to realign with our true ethos—wellness, sustainability, and innovation.
By creating a product that reduces plastic waste in daily life, we not only found a solution—we found our purpose.
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